Statue attracts shoppers at business BY BARRY GRAHAM – TGI Business Editor If you browse through the Seven Seas Trading Company, LLC down at the Anchor Cove shopping center you might be in for a huge surprise. It’s a surprise
Statue attracts shoppers at business
BY BARRY GRAHAM – TGI Business Editor
If you browse through the Seven Seas Trading Company, LLC down at the Anchor Cove shopping center you might be in for a huge surprise.
It’s a surprise that you can’t miss.
Approximately two weeks ago, the Trading company owners Patricia Macris and the husband and wife team of Bonnie and Steve Bojorquez placed a rather large statue in the outside area of the store.
Since that time, this statue has garnered the attention of most if not all of the customers that shop at the Trading company.
The statue is 2,000-pound, rose-colored marble “Laughing” Buddha that is surrounded by a little Zen garden. The area also features outside seating for customers who want to enjoy a fresh brew from the full-service coffee bar inside the store.
“We always wanted to make this (outside) area into a garden,” said Bonnie Bojorquez. “We design marble products including smaller Buddha statues. For the garden, we wanted a much larger statue to feature in it.”
Macris added, “As soon as I saw it, I fell in love with it.”
“We feel that it is an extension of our store. People walk in and feel better when they leave. That’s the atmosphere that we wanted to create when we decided to put the statue out here.”
According to the owners, it is common for locals as well as visitors to come on by and rub the Buddha’s stomach. According to legend, rubbing the belly of the Buddha statue yields good luck and prosperity.
“Everybody that looks at him seems to smile,” said Bonnie Bojorquez. “He brings happiness to the store.”
The owners intend on expanding the outside garden in the future as well as the inner portions of the business.
“We believe in constantly evolving what we have here,” Macris said. “We want to make sure that if someone comes in here one week, things are different on the third or fourth week they come in.”
While the Buddha statue at the store location is not for sale, the owners of the Trading company could make a replica of it for $8,500 which includes shipping costs.
The Seven Seas Trading Company at Anchor Cove has been open since November of 2002. The owners also have their flagship store in Kapa‘a at the Kauai Product Fair location. That store has been in business for approximately two years.
The owners of the store specialize in marble products including statues, silk apparel, eggshell art and wood-crafted boxes and musical instruments. The owners also carry art from various local artists.
In addition, the Trading company serves beverages at their coffee and tea bar.
“We want people to enjoy the atmosphere of the store,” said Bonnie Bojorquez. “People can have a fresh cup of coffee and browse the store or sit outside near the statue and enjoy the view. Our goal was to create an atmosphere of adventure without stress and hassle.”
For more information, visit the website at http://www.sevenseastradingcompany.com or call 632-2200.
Business Editor Barry Graham can be reached at 245-3681 Ext. 251 or mailto:bgraham@pulitzer.net
