Serving Up Coffee and Conversations at Cha Café & Bistro
It’s one thing to talk about the importance and challenges of small businesses—it’s another to experience it firsthand. This week, I had the great opportunity to throw on an apron and spend the morning behind the counter at Cha Café & Bistro on Saipan. Cha, and its owner John Lee, represent the heart of the CNMI’s entrepreneurial spirit. Small businesses like Cha don’t just serve great coffee—they create jobs, build skills, and offer opportunities for our local workforce. But they also remind us of what’s at stake if we don’t do more to strengthen and grow our economy. To John and the amazing team at Cha, thank you for letting me be a part of your morning crew. And to everyone who came by for a cup—thank you for letting me serve you (and for being patient if I got your order wrong!).