#12: Monte Mesa – How Guam's Retail Collapse Signals a Deeper Economic Shift

What happens when your favorite local stores quietly disappear—and no one asks why?

In this essential episode, we sit down with Monte Mesa, General Manager of Guam Premier Outlets (GPO) and Tumon Sands Plaza, to unpack the real story behind Guam’s retail unraveling—and what it reveals about the island’s economic future.

With over four decades of retail experience, Monte lays out the uncomfortable truth: local shops are closing, national brands are hesitant, and Gen Z workers are leaving the island—not because they don’t care, but because we haven’t built a system that includes them.

We explore:

• Why digital retail has left Guam’s small businesses behind

• How workforce gaps are tied to housing, transport, and purpose

• The hidden consequences of not having sales tax—and what it’s costing us

• What Guam can learn from Hawaii, the Philippines, and Singapore

• The one policy change Monte believes could reignite visitor numbers

This isn’t just about malls—it’s about meaning, systems, and survival. Whether you’re a policymaker, business owner, or someone who wants Guam to thrive, this episode asks you to look deeper—and do better.

Listen in, challenge your assumptions, and let’s reimagine what’s possible for Guam’s economy.