“This is an exciting time for Koloa,” said Marn Zeeb of Mango’s in the Koloa Village shopping complex. “This is an exciting time for Koloa Village.”
The Flip Flop Shop with Denise Zumwalt celebrated the grand opening of its “slippa store” in Koloa Village along Koloa Road Friday and continuing today with a free gift with any OluKai purchase while supplies last.
OluKai also sponsored a pau hana event Friday in partnership with Kaua‘i Island Brewing, which has plans to open its pub and beer garden in Koloa Village later this summer.
Shoppers can spin the prize wheel loaded with free giveaways and footwear discounts as well as meet up with representatives from the different footwear brands carried by the shop’s Koloa Village location that is described as having “slippahs, apparel and accessories, and then some.”
“Things are moving along,” said Mike Serpa of Koloa Village, which saw it first tenant, The Smart Fit Method, opening in April.
“We just got permits for five more tenants who can start their tenant improvements. The Koloa Village retail is entirely rented out.”
The Smart Fit Method hosts an open house from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. today to lend its excitement to the openings at Koloa Village.
Jerry Vigil of the Emperor’s Emporium had planned to open his Koloa Village shop by April 1, but came up short a few days, welcoming his first customers on April 3.
“I wanted everything to be done so we could open April 1,” Vigil said. “When it appeared we were not going to make it, I put up a sign in the door, ‘We’re not open, April Fools.’”
Vigil, who has been operating Emperor’s Emporium for 28 years, said business has been up and down.
“When the Kaua‘i Island Brewing pizza-and-beer place opens next door, it’ll be booming,” Vigil said. “I’m very happy with this store.”
An Emperor’s Emporium associate said she had her mermaid outfit at home, but will have it on today to add to the openings’ excitement.
The sound of pneumatic equipment interrupted shoppers, who stopped to ask, “Where’s the slippa shop?”
Bret and Janice Larson of Kaua‘i Island Brewing were discussing the ongoing construction of the new gathering place with Serpa.
“We’re bringing a couple of growlers to the Flip Flop Shop tonight,” Bret said. “In fact, we have some now so we’ll bring them over.”
Zeeb first opened the doors to Mango’s on June 1, and has been working out the bugs of the ice cream shop with unique gift items.
“We’re getting ready for the summer,” Zeeb said. “This is fairly easy. Just follow the footprints to the cold section and place your order of either ice cream in the baked waffle cone, shave ice, or a Dole Whip; move on to the pastry case, and then just enjoy. The gifts you find in here you won’t find anywhere else on the island.”
Zeeb reiterated his earlier comment: “This is an exciting time for Koloa Village.”
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
