PO‘IPU — Kaua‘i Chamber of Commerce President Randall Francisco received a very special present Tuesday evening. Francisco, whose birthday coincided with the chamber’s Business After Hours event offering chamber members and guests a “special preview” of the new Tommy Bahama
PO‘IPU — Kaua‘i Chamber of Commerce President Randall Francisco received a very special present Tuesday evening.
Francisco, whose birthday coincided with the chamber’s Business After Hours event offering chamber members and guests a “special preview” of the new Tommy Bahama store, was presented one of the first Tommy Bahama shirts going out of the store, as a birthday present from store Manager Willie Ealy.
Ealy was recipient of a Kaua‘i-style welcome during the previous chamber Business After Hours event at the Oasis restaurant at the Outrigger Waipouli Beach Resort, where Francisco first met Ealy.
During that meeting, Francisco discovered that it was Ealy’s birthday and everyone responded with a round of “Happy Birthday” and well wishes.
When Ealy found out it was Francisco’s birthday Tuesday he reciprocated with the special gift — a Tommy Bahama shirt.
Tommy Bahama is an upscale lifestyle brand and opened its Kaua‘i location Wednesday morning at the Kukui‘ula Shopping Village.
Kaua‘i Chamber of Commerce members and guests were treated to a special preview of the store during Tuesday’s Business After Hours event where chamber shoppers were offered pre-opening discounts.
Eric Miura of the Quiksilver shop that opened earlier in the Kukui‘ula Shopping Village had a problem deciding on which shirt to settle on.
Leland Kahawai of First Hawaiian Bank relied on the floor help to make his decision.
“The relaxing island lifestyle of Tommy Bahama is a natural fit in Po‘ipu,” said Lance Relicke, Tommy Bahama vice president of creative services.
Rich in color, texture and design, Tommy Bahama perfectly mirrors the surrounding luscious island lifestyle, states a release from Orsi Public Relations, announcing the store’s opening.
This statement was brought to life in the shirt presented Francisco featuring the broad banana-like leaves and spike of a heliconia. Outside the store, a red heliconia had its leaves cut back and tied off with ti leaves to highlight the blossoms which are reflected in some of the store’s offerings.
“We’re so excited to have this store reflecting the casual South Shore style of living open in the Kukui‘ula Shopping Village,” said Veronica Lovesy of Kukui‘ula Development.
The new Tommy Bahama store is about 2,500 square feet and takes on the atmosphere of a relaxed surf bungalow with high ceilings, white walls and a concrete floor.
The large windows and doors bring the outdoor landscaping into the store and onto some of the fashion-design offerings.
Inside the offerings include the complete Tommy Bahama collection of upscale men’s and women’s sportswear, swimwear, footwear and accessories, as well as select home-decor items.
Tommy Bahama is owned by the Tommy Bahama Group, a wholly owned subsidiary of Oxford Industries, established in 1992 with corporate headquarters in Seattle, Wash.
There are more than 80 Tommy Bahama retail locations across the country, 12 of which include Tommy Bahama restaurants and bars.
Visit www.tommybahama.com for more information. Visit www.thegardenisland.com to view a video on Tommy Bahama opening in Kukui‘ula Village.
• Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@kauaipubco.com.
