BY MAUREEN N. MARATITA
Journal Staff
Jones
Robert H. Jones, chairman and CEO of Triple J Enterprises Inc. is a happy man — taking a hands-on role in the planning and opening of several businesses on the island of Tinian. “I am having fun,” he told the Journal. He has been overseeing the various business units personally, supported by the Saipan management team.
Still to come and planned for April is one more business unit opening. “We’ll open the Triple J Five Star Wholesale in April,” Jones told the Journal. Aside from anything else, he said, “We’ll be concentrating on selling large items.” Those would include washing machines, he said.
In the meantime, residents and the consistent military population can enjoy the new businesses — the results of a $2 million investment, excluding the rental car fleet and the future wholesale inventory. The various businesses have added 32 jobs in Tinian. Permanent managers will be appointed in the future, according to Triple J. Jones is aware of the impact of the Triple J investment. “It’s going to be a lifestyle changer for the people of Tinian,” he said. The welcome has been a warm one. “It’s very nice to hear,” Jones said.
The official openings of the Tinian Western Lodge, the Bar-K Diner and the Hertz Office Tinian took place on Feb. 12.
Photo courtesy of Triple J Enterprises Inc.
The lodge hosts the Hertz office. Hertz also has a concession at the Tinian International Airport.
The Tinian Western Lodge — formerly the Tinian Hotel has nine rooms — all newly renovated and upgraded and designed with a western theme. “From the horses on the shower curtains to the bedspreads — it’s western,” Jones told attendees at the ribbon cutting.
The Bar-K Diner — which acts as the hotel’s lobby restaurant — also offers dine-in, drive-in and takeaway options. Menu items range from takeout platters to breakfast and an all-day menu that includes appetizers, grilled entrees, and more.
The diner’s name pays homage to the late Kenneth T. Jones, founder of Jones & Guerrero Co. Inc. and the name of his Bar-K cattle ranch in Tinian some decades ago. He was also the brother of Robert Jones. Also dedicated to Kenneth Jones, Kammer Beach officially became Jones Beach after a dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony the following day.
Triple J is no stranger to hotels, restaurants or wholesale in the Northern Mariana Islands; it does business in the NMI in all three industry sectors, with its largest presence in Saipan.
Tinian has about 3,000 residents, according to Journal files. mbj
