As the news of the economic downturn rains doom and gloom on most residents, some small business owners on Kaua‘i are finding ways to make ends meet. A handful of these retail outlets, niche stores and restaurants agreed to share
As the news of the economic downturn rains doom and gloom on most residents, some small business owners on Kaua‘i are finding ways to make ends meet.
A handful of these retail outlets, niche stores and restaurants agreed to share some of their keys to remaining vital in the community as unemployment rises and a stimulus package looms on the horizon.
Sweet Maries Hawaii, located in the historic Awa Puhi building in Kapa‘a, specializes in gluten-free desserts. Owner Marie Cassel has been in business there for two years and said the failing national economy has left her business untouched.
“Some people say I have a niche market by the fact that I cater to those who require a gluten-free diet,” she said. “So, these people seek out my business because to them, it’s a matter of life and death.”
Asked if the slow economy might affect her business in the next six months, Cassel replied that she didn’t think so. In fact, she just received a cake order from the Mainland and another call from Canada. She has been building up her clientele for two years and now enjoys repeat business daily.
The Kaua‘i Water Ski and Surf Company, located in the Kinipopo Shopping Village, has been open since 1978 and has survived two hurricanes. The aftermath of a hurricane brings with it no electricity, no telephone service and no tourism and the company has twice survived this worst of all business nightmares.
Manager Pulama said the recent slowing economy has affected business in a big way because her shop depends a great deal on tourism and people simply aren’t traveling to Kaua‘i as often.
Pulama said the next six months will depend a great deal on how many tourists choose Kaua‘i as their vacation destination.
Though the surf shop relies a great deal on rentals, it also sells new surf boards, clothing and accessories to the locals. This is one way Pulama said it manages to stay afloat during hard times.
C.J.s Bow Wow Boutique is also located in the Kinipopo Shopping Village and has been in business for 16 months. Owner C.J Nakashita said the doggy business remained steady up until the last few months when tourism began to drop.
Fortunately, Nakashita said her business remains rock steady because she listens carefully to what her customers request and stocks things like natural nutrition treats and supplements for their puppies and dogs.
Her friendly manner quickly creates a bond of friendship with her clients bringing a solid return business. Nakashita said she maintains a positive attitude about the future of Kaua‘i’s economy and shares this good-news view with all her customers.
Specializing in made-from-scratch bistro-style dishes, Caffé Coco remains one of Kaua‘i’s busiest eateries, relying on returning Mainland customers and local word-of-mouth. Located on Kuhio Highway in Wailua, Caffé Coco has been in business for 12 years and just recently noticed a slightly slower pace in sales.
That said, owner Ginger Carlson and staff still remain optimistic about future business. Carlson also runs a high-end catering business providing another avenue of financial support.
“Over the years, Caffé Coco has maintained an excellent reputation for serving healthy meals at affordable prices,” waitress Patty Parker said. “And with Katy in the kitchen creating stunningly delicious treats like mocha fudge cake, how can people not return?”
One more reason for return business might be the intimacy of a bistro with live entertainment under the stars adding to the romance of eating out. Whatever the reason, Caffé Coco is doing good business in bad economic times.
Tanira Weston-Webb and Adriadne da Siva share ownership in Sweet Bikini, a fairly new business facing its first year of growing in a sliding economy. Weston-Webb and da Silva have a very upbeat business philosophy about running a bikini boutique.
“What do you think of when you think of Hawai‘i?” Weston-Webb said. “The beach, right? And if you go to the beach, what do you need? The swimming suit, yes?”
“And it doesn’t matter if you are 1 year old or 80, we carry bathing suits for everyone,” da Silva said.
These two enthusiastic owners also follow the solid business philosophy of listening to their customers and stocking whatever is requested.
With spring break just around the corner and summer on the way, Sweet Bikini has high hopes for a strong future. Weston-Webb and da Silva network their business by using local word-of-mouth, MySpace.com, advertising in The Garden Island, Kauai Visitors magazine, Shop and Dine, and hanging signs on bulletin boards or the doors of friends’ businesses.
Tossing ideas back and forth, the Weston-Webb and da Silva team work together to make their bikini shop dream into a sweet business reality.
One of the newest start-ups to enter the restaurant arena is Tutu’s Soup Hale, which opens on Tuesday in the Kini Popo Shopping Village.
Owners Bert and Sage (who declined to share their last names at this time) have created a very unique and intimate venue of homemade soups and sandwiches. When asked why they opened a business during this period of downward economy, Bert points to the bumper-to-bumper traffic inching along Kuhio Highway
“As long as there are cars going up and down the highway, I believe our restaurant will maintain a steady flow of business,” he said.
“Our intention,” Sage added, “was to make the Hale’s atmosphere inviting and offer a selection of homemade soups and sandwiches along with a variety of live entertainment.”
Tutu’s Soup Hale will also have chess tables, dart boards and free Wi-Fi access to keep their clientele entertained while they eat.
The restaurant will be open 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday. As time goes by the schedule will probably change to suit customer flow.
When asked about how a brand new Tutu’s Soup Hale will cope with a sagging economy, Sage related a story she once heard about two butchers who ran their businesses a few blocks away from each other in Chicago during the Great Depression.
One butcher had been established for many years but daily complained about the terrible state of the economy to his customers. Eventually, more and more of his customers began shopping with the newer butchers because he kept a sunny disposition. When any business greets its customers with a warm, generous spirit, the chances are quite good that they will survive and rise above any down-spiraling economy, she said.
Pono Market, located in the heart of downtown Kapa‘a, was established in 1968 and over time evolved from meat market to grocery store to fish market eventually settling on a to-go format.
As Pono Market changes with the times, the business continues to flourish and grow. Robert Kubota, son of the Pono Market owner, said the store opens at 6 a.m. to accommodate the construction workers who buy coffee, bentos, sandwiches, spam musubis and a wide variety of Pono choices to carry to their job.
Catering to the customer and carefully watching what is purchased for stock secures and maintains Pono Market’s ongoing economic balance, he said. Kubota says the main secret to Pono Market is treat the customer like family.
Visit www.thegardenisland.com soon for a video featuring more tips and suggestions from local businesses.
