Every building holds a story. Within its walls are memories, milestones, and moments that shaped the lives of those who walked through its doors. For The Salt + Light Home, our flagship store is more than a space—it’s a tribute to the history it carries and the legacy it now continues.
In short video interview, our founders Shine, Lissa, Kirby, and Jay share how this iconic building became home to The Salt + Light Home, and how its story continues to inspire everything we do.
The dream began as a modest plan to open an 800-square-foot design studio. But as Shine and Lissa began envisioning the possibilities, they realized that to truly express the beauty and depth of The Salt + Light aesthetic, the space needed to be larger. It needed to allow every vignette, every curated piece, to shine in its own light.
That realization led to the rediscovery of a building that had been quietly waiting for its next chapter. Once home to the beloved Genghis Khan Furniture Store, one of the island’s very first large-scale furniture stores, the building had stood still for more than a decade after its doors closed. For Shine, it wasn’t simply about finding a bigger location—it was about honoring a place that once brought beauty and craftsmanship to Guam’s homes, and breathing new life into it once more.
“We wanted to bring it back to life,” Shine shares, “to make it more modern while keeping its bones in place.” The vision was not to erase its past, but to celebrate it. The Salt + Light team approached the renovation with reverence, restoring what was timeless while infusing it with warmth, modernity, and intention.
A pivotal voice in this story is Anna Wang Kao, the woman who built the Genghis Khan Furniture Store over 40 years ago. Anna’s legacy in Guam’s design landscape runs deep—her vision paved the way for furniture retail on the island at a scale never before seen. In our interview with her, she shared heartfelt reflections on the building’s beginnings and her hopes for its future.
Anna expressed that The Salt + Light Home would carry forward the same spirit of excellence and care that once filled the space. She believes this new chapter would be a big asset to the Guam community.
For The Salt + Light Home, expanding into this historic building felt like destiny. It provided the room to display what home should look and feel like through the Salt + Light aesthetic.
“With this larger space,” Lissa explains, “our clients can better envision the different vignettes within their own homes. Each one tells a story, each one holds a feeling.”
What once stood silent has been revived into a place filled with life, beauty, and purpose once again. “We need to be honorable to this building that Anna built,” Shine reflects. “Seeing everything come together is the best reward ever.”
This space now stands as a bridge between generations—a reminder that while time may pass, the heart of a place endures. Here at The Salt + Light Home, we are honored to continue its story, building upon a foundation of craftsmanship, legacy, and care for the home and the people within it.
