The recent opening of Safeway’s second store here is the latest milestone in the evolution of Kauai’s retail industry. Kauai has come a long way since the days when Mom ‘n Pop stores were everywhere. Mom ‘n Pop stores are,
The recent opening of Safeway’s second store here is the latest milestone in the evolution of Kauai’s retail industry.
Kauai has come a long way since the days when Mom ‘n Pop stores were everywhere.
Mom ‘n Pop stores are, of course, the family-owned shops and stores that once could be found in every small town in America.
Most on Kauai were started by first- and second-generation immigrants who had come here in search of a better life.
Many had hoped to find it working for sugar plantations on Kauai but eventually left and struck out on their own.
They started opening small shops, offering grocery essentials and household goods. They weren’t trying to compete with each other. They just wanted to feed their families, pay their bills and help their neighbors at the same time.
If they worked hard enough, they also hoped, their dream of prosperity might someday become a reality.
Before long, these small enterprises flourished and grew and soon every town on Kauai had at least one or two stores that had become a vital part of their community.
Over the years, those who ran the stores formed close relationships with many of their regular shoppers that went beyond owner and customer. Most became friends; some almost family.
Personal service was what customers came to expect and appreciate from those who ran Mom ‘n Pop stores.
Some proprietors, like Mankichi Sueoka, went more than the proverbial mile for his customers. He and his wife, Yoshi, opened Sueoka Store in 1918 for Koloa residents but the akamai Mankichi began taking orders from people who lived as far away as Lihue.
He would deliver the groceries to their homes in his horse-drawn wagon, according to the store’s online history.
Years later, Clarence and Hanako Ishida of Wailua Market would provide a similar service. Wailua Houselots residents who called in an order by a certain time would have them delivered to their door the same afternoon. What’s more, they didn’t even have to pay for their groceries when they were delivered. They could add them to their monthly grocery tab.
Many Mom ‘n Pops became known for a specialty. Thrifty Mart, founded by Jack Nada in Kaumakani was renowned for its bakery.
Waimea’s Ishihara Market’s extensive selection of prepared foods is still popular today.
Fishing supplies and camping equipment was readily available at Kuramoto Store in Kekaha, another Westside favorite until it closed.
Local beef was the specialty that drew customers to Kojima Store in Kapaa. Customers would stop by for hamburger or stew meat, enjoy a friendly chat with butcher George Kojima and often find themselves adding a pound or two of his famous teriyaki-soaked pork or beef ribs to their order.
Other popular Kapaa stores were run by the Yasudas, Nakamuras and Kubotas. In Lihue, former Yoneji Store customers still talk about their fond memories of the bustling shop and its eclectic inventory. And the Yukimuras expanded their family’s Mom ‘n Pop store into a successful food wholesale company that served Kauai for decades and was just sold this year.
There were other milestones:
The Kawakami family spent three-quarters of the 20th century establishing a chain of grocery stores in most towns on Kauai in partnership with the Furugen family. The result, Big Save Inc., was sold to Times Supermarkets in 2011, ending a historic era on Kauai.
In 1982, Kukui Grove Center also opened with five anchor stores and numerous shops, becoming the largest shopping mall on Kauai. Its lineup of anchors and stores has changed many times in the ensuing years. (Times also bought out Star Supermarket, one of Kukui Grove’s original anchors.)
In 1967, Foodland opened its first store in Lihue but it was eventually taken over by Big Save. Foodland then opened stores in Waipouli and Princeville. Safeway oppened its first store in Kapaa a few years later.
Sadly, only a handful of the Mom ‘n Pops are still open on Kauai. Many closed their doors for a variety of reasons. Competition was one of them but not the only one. Many of their children who worked after school at the family store went away to college. And while it fulfilled the dream their parents had worked hard to fund, it often left their stores without enough help. Other family members also left, tired of the hard work and long hours. Finding adequate help became almost impossible. In addition, prices were skyrocketing. For many, staying in business just wasn’t worth it any longer.
Our small island now has three supermarket chains with five major supermarkets and five regional grocery stores, two Big Box discount stores, several shopping centers and department stores and countless smaller shops and businesses.
Our population, according to a 2014 estimate, is 70,475. Only time will tell if we will we be able to support all of these entities, especially the supermarkets, which are among the most competitive.
The latest supermarket addition is heralded as a good thing for customers by many people, including area residents and those who pass by on their way home from work each day. I wish all of our Kauai businesses success and prosperity. Aloha.
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Rita De Silva is the former editor of The Garden Island and a Hanamaulu resident.
