KAPA‘A — At a time when so many people have been squeezed by the economy’s tight grip, Kaua‘i Village Shopping Center is attempting to break loose by literally paving new ground. Not only is the parking lot at the Kapa‘a
KAPA‘A — At a time when so many people have been squeezed by the economy’s tight grip, Kaua‘i Village Shopping Center is attempting to break loose by literally paving new ground.
Not only is the parking lot at the Kapa‘a shopping center getting a facelift, Safeway is rebranding to a “Lifestyle” store, which will feature more natural, organic products — the same brand slated to be located in Puhi.
“Anytime renovations are done at a shopping center there are many factors involved, not really prompted or a result of economic factors,” said CB Richard Ellis Real Estate Manager Michael Oh in a phone interview Thursday. “The end result is a benefit to tenants, customers and landlords.”
Clifford Ogata, managing director of Diversified Equity and representative for the shopping center’s owners, agreed.
“We’re looking down the road,” he said in an interview at The Garden Island Wednesday. “Despite what we’re seeing with the economy, we have a great piece of real estate that has great potential.”
Not only are renovations like the repainting of both Wyland wall murals occurring, but local companies are among those being hired to conduct the multi-million dollar improvements.
Soul Construction — recently voted one of the fastest growing companies in the state by Pacific Business News — has been hired to help revamp the center.
“We are nearing completion of not only the first phase of the parking lot work, but the Safeway renovation as well,” Soul Construction President Joshua Copeland said Thursday.
His company is expected to continue renovations for the entire Kaua‘i Village Shopping Center, “with the eventual goal of matching the center with the new Safeway look,” he said.
Of the 19 businesses currently located at the mall, 11 — including Longs, Starbucks and Panda Express — are national chains, and eight are locally owned Hawai‘i businesses, including Pau Hana Grill, Pacific Island Bistro and Papaya’s Natural Foods, according to Ogata.
“There’s a lot of room for growth and improvements,” Jessica Leech, one of the owners of Papaya’s Natural Foods, said Friday.
The business has been operating at Kaua‘i Village for 18 years and since acquiring the enterprise 11 years ago, Leech has seen many mall owners come and go.
This time, however, she said she “feels like I’ve been heard for the first time.”
“The new owners have been very receptive to the problems we’ve had in the past and are trying to work with us,” she said about the team that acquired the center about three years ago. “It seems like they really are here to stay.”
Leech has witnessed several businesses vacate the premises over the past decade, including Century 21, Camp House Grill, Kaua‘i Children’s Discovery Museum and Wyland Galleries.
“Business is tough in this economy, but I hope that as they fill more of the spaces they will bring it back to where it was 11 years ago when it was really thriving,” she said.
Ogata said there has been “significant interest by a number of local tenants” recently and is “hopeful to make announcements soon.”
Until then, renovations are expected to continue through 2010 and “just like life, there’s no finality to it,” Ogata said.
Safeway’s grand opening is scheduled for Sept. 26.
