LIHU‘E — To say there was pent-up demand is understatement. Record-breaking first weeks were the rule for both Jamba Juice and Starbucks Coffee at Kukui Grove Center, representatives said. “We had the best opening weekend (in terms of sales) of
LIHU‘E — To say there was pent-up demand is understatement.
Record-breaking first weeks were the rule for both Jamba Juice and Starbucks Coffee at Kukui Grove Center, representatives said.
“We had the best opening weekend (in terms of sales) of any Jamba Juice store ever,” said Matt Talarico, assistant manager of the Lihu‘e Jamba Juice. “We haven’t finished the first month of business yet, but the projections have been very good.”
Starbucks’ District Manager Joann Kapolulu added, “Our opening was the most successful since our first store in Hawai‘i opened in 1996.”
Starbucks opened its first store on Kaua‘i in December, while Jamba Juice, located next to the coffee shop, opened in January. The opening of both stores was part of the center’s renovation and expansion.
This Saturday, Feb. 7, Starbucks and Jamba Juice will hold combined grand-opening celebrations at the center as a way to thank the island community for their robust early business, representatives said.
“We are very fortunate to have received great support from the people here,” said Kapolulu. “We are very excited to be able to give back to the community.”
The grand-opening celebrations are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and both locations will be giving away free samples of products and portions of proceeds of the day’s sales to local community-service organizations.
“Our grand-opening celebration is an opportunity for both Starbucks and Jamba Juice to say ‘mahalo’ to the community for their warm welcome, and give back to local charities,” said Christy Roberts, Coffee Partners Hawaii public relations manager.
“It’s also an opportunity to create excitement, and introduce new customers to the Starbucks and Jamba Juice experience.”
The festivities include live entertainment by Miss Hawai‘i Kanoelani Gibson, her sister Maila Gibson, Rohotu and Revival.
There will also be prize giveaways from Starbucks and Jamba Juice every 30 minutes. Starbucks will be passing out free “Frappuccino” samples, and Jamba will be passing out free “Mango-a-go-go” smoothie samples during the event.
“We expect a few hundred people for this,” said Talarico. “It should be a mixture of regulars and new customers. This event is for the community and our employees,” he said. “It should be a lot of fun.”
A portion of proceeds from the day’s sales will benefit Kauai Special Olympics and Malama Pono-Kauai AIDS Project.
“It is a tradition to support a local charity at every Starbucks and Jamba Juice grand opening,” said Roberts.
“In Hawai‘i, Starbucks supports four charitable pillars, including AIDS research, the environment, literacy and culture and the arts. Malama Pono fits into the AIDS pillar,” said Roberts.
“At Jamba, our efforts generally focus on health, fitness and nutrition, and our Jamba team selected the Kauai Special Olympics as the grand-opening recipient,” she said.
“Both stores plan on creating long-term relationships with these organizations to help make a difference in the Lihu‘e community.”
Since entering the Hawai‘i market in December 1996, Coffee Partners Hawaii, an authorized licensee of Starbucks Coffee International, has opened 41 Starbucks Coffee stores in Hawai‘i, creating over 800 jobs.
Starbucks Coffee stores are located on O‘ahu (29), Maui (six), Big Island (five), in addition to Kaua‘i. The Kaua‘i Jamba Juice is the 18th in the state. There are 23 island residents employed at Jamba Juice, and 26 at Starbucks.
Business Editor Barry Graham may be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 251) or mailto:bgraham@pulitzer.net.
