Plus Interiors closing at Kukui Grove

LIHUE — Whatever is not bolted down is going, said Kris Dela Cruz, manager of Plus Interiors at the Kukui Grove Center.

Customers were browsing through items and hurriedly picking up their framing orders, greeted by a sign touting a 30 percent discount in an effort at closing out the store’s inventory on Tuesday morning.

Part of the reason for closing the store is the difficulty in “finding, training and keeping good employees,” Dela Cruz said.

“With our focus on customer service, it is imperative that we find dedicated people to serve the needs of our customers,” Dela Cruz said. “This has become increasingly difficult for us through the years.”

Pictures Plus opened at the Kukui Grove Center in 1989 and created a reputation as a locally owned and operated company with ties to the community.

Marlene Eliana joined the firm in 1993 and shared the store’s growth with Dela Cruz as co-manager and design consultant in the field of art, frames, quality custom framing, and new artwork for hotels, homes, and condominiums.

Dela Cruz said she and Eliana are uncertain of what takes place next. There is no definite date set on when the final day will be, but it should be done by the end of May.

“We need to get past this closing,” Dela Cruz said. “After that, we’ll see what happens next.”