PO‘IPU — It takes a lot of courage to expand a business during an uncertain economy. Jeff and Cindy McGee, owners of Aspire Furniture with two new locations in Kaua‘i, are highly confident in their choice to expand their 20-year-old
PO‘IPU — It takes a lot of courage to expand a business during an uncertain economy.
Jeff and Cindy McGee, owners of Aspire Furniture with two new locations in Kaua‘i, are highly confident in their choice to expand their 20-year-old San Diego-based home furnishings company to the island.
“We went into this with both eyes wide open,” Cindy said. “The largest risks tend to be the things that take you to the next level and offer the greatest reward. I think, for us, because we’ve been in business for as long as we have in San Diego, we’ve seen many ups and downs and know how to respond.”
In July, the McGees opened Aspire Furniture patio furniture store at Nawiliwili Harbor in Lihu‘e and shortly after in September, opened their Aspire Furniture showroom in Kukui‘ula Village shopping center in Po‘ipu.
Cindy, an interior designer, said, “We’re creating interiors for people, number one, and filling the niche here in Kaua‘i knowing that the economy will improve and building will slowly start to pick back up. Our business is 100 percent tied into the housing industry.”
In San Diego, Cindy said they downsized their business during the recession but managed to maintain their strong client base.
Friday evening, the couple threw a cocktail party for their new Hawai‘i clientele at the couple’s 2,800 square foot showroom in Po‘ipu. Based on the number of cocktails they poured, Jeff estimates at least 100 people were in attendance.
“Everyone was so wonderful and gracious last night,” Cindy said. “Already the clients I have here couldn’t be more welcoming and appreciative. It’s so wonderful as a designer when you’re appreciated. It’s such a personal business. It’s your home that’s being created. What could be more personal than that?”
She said, “We’re here to fill a big void in the marketplace and we’re bringing choices to the island. People are saying ‘you’re opening up two stores on this island? Are you crazy?’
“Some say how could you ever move to such a small remote place, and I say I’m a nester. The circle of space I encompassed back in San Diego was way smaller than Hawai‘i. But, for me, it’s the quality of life.”
Cindy confides that the big reason they moved to Kaua‘i was to be closer to their daughter, Kasey Schoettler, who has lived on the island for four years with her husband. Schoettler works for the Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i Resort and Spa.
When the Schoettlers moved to Kaua‘i, her parents filled a container of their San Diego store furnishings and shipped it over to their daughter. “People kept asking her ‘where did this beautiful furniture come from?’”
Her daughter told her that there is “a real need here for quality furnishings that are long lasting.” After a little market research, the McGees agreed and decided to open a store here.
Initially, the McGees leased a place in Nawiliwili Harbor as their storage warehouse for shipping and receiving furniture. “When we realized there was no patio furniture store on the island, we said, ‘Are you kidding?’ So we converted our warehouse into a patio furniture store.”
The patio furniture store, also called Aspire Furniture, is being managed by their son, Tyler. “We said to Tyler, this is what you can do for us here, if you choose,” Cindy said. “He’s just loving it. He got married in May and he and his wife moved here. He loves to surf and the lifestyle, so it’s perfect for him.”
When searching for showroom for their furnishings, Jeff said they opted for Kukui‘ula Village because of the growth potential of the south shore and the quality of the shopping center.
“It’s suitable for the quality of our products,” he said. “We heard a lot of positive things about it. People in the community have a lot positive feelings about the place and how much they offer.”
“It’s beautiful there in the day and evening,” Cindy said. “They did a fantastic job with landscaping, lighting and ambiance. It’s quintessential Hawai‘i.”
Their full-service interior design store is geared toward special order furnishings. “What we’ve filled it with is a sampling of pieces from multiple lines so people can understand the quality. We can get items on island quickly.”
Aspire Furniture’s showroom is located within suite G-209 next to Merriman’s Restaurant in the Kukui‘ula Village shopping center at 2829 Ala Kalanikaumaka. Their hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven day a week and may be reached for more information by calling 742-9922. Aspire’s patio furniture store is located within Nawiliwili Harbor at 3337 Nawiliwili Rd. They’re open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For additional information, call 245-9015.
