Xiomara Yamileth | The Garden Island
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PRINCEVILLE — North Shore General Store, a cherished establishment on Kauai, ceased operations last November to facilitate the expansion of the Princeville Shopping Center.

Darron White, owner of the North Shore General Store (NSGS), explained that after numerous unsuccessful attempts to renew his lease, he was left with no other option but to close his doors. He adds that the property owners’ refusal to communicate and downright disrespectful business conduct is disappointing.

“I had a vision and wanted to improve the future of my community,” shared White. “When we began, almost two decades ago, it was with the installation of a conveyor belt for pizzas. We wanted to offer local-style lunches and have a variety, and we wanted to do it right.

“All in hopes that the community would like it, and they did! We wanted to offer reasonably priced meals and hit all the taste buds. But, you know, the landlord just kept ignoring our calls and simply refused to renew the lease, so now that vision is gone,” he said.

White’s news of the closure was quickly shared via social platforms, with many disheartened residents expressing discontent with the handling of the lease.

Carol Andrews, who’s lived in Princeville for over 30 years, expressed her strong need for the store and disappointment with its closure.

“Our community still wants and desperately needs this business and establishment,” said Andrews. “In all of these years, he has managed to keep his prices down for the community while maintaining high quality with all of the food and products he offers. Darron is a businessman with pure integrity and compassion for the people.

“It’s so disheartening how the local long-time businesses in this shopping center are getting shut down and leases not renewed. It is beyond sad and outrageous how the owners of Princeville Shopping Center place no/zero value on what the community wants/needs.”

Long-time patron Kawaihau Torio shared how NSGS has continuously contributed to and supported the community and described the business as the epitome of a real, local small business that supports its community.

“It is a spot where you can walk in and see a friendly face that will most likely greet you by name,” said Torio, “Being born and raised on the North Shore, this has become much less frequent, and we are heartbroken to hear that we will be losing yet another small, local business to a corporation.

“This community values all that Darron and the NSGS brings to our community, and it is devastating to be losing them,” added Torio. “Darron and the NSGS will be deeply missed by the entire community. We will always be grateful for the service he provided all these years.”

Hanalei resident Daniel Noll also expressed his discontent and shared that the NSGS has provided and taken care of his family his entire life. He added, “Everyone at the general store is always so nice and stoked. When you start your day there, it sets the tone and makes you happy. Small family businesses in Kauai are dying. Don’t kill another one.”

White also shared that the business has long been one of the few remaining local one-stop shops in the community, and although they’ve demonstrated tremendous resilience through numerous island challenges, such as rising rent costs, workforce shortages, and the recovery of the COVID pandemic. He now hopes the center owner truly values and cares for the community just as he and his team have done for the past twenty years.

“We’ve become such a huge part of the community from assisting with propane and medication transportation during the pandemic to hiring graduates to get them prepared for when they hit the real world, or assisting individuals looking for a second chance in life, you know, to helping the local baseball team with pizzas, ugh, in the end, I am just heartbroken,” said White with his hand over his heart and tears in his eyes.

“I hope that when they take over, I hope they are there for the community. I hope they reflect on the long-term effect they leave on this community. I want the new tenant, manager, owner, whoever to be there for everybody for the next storm, flood, or whatever may come.

“I want them to please keep in mind everyone, and I mean everyone— local or visitor who steps foot on the island— All I ask is that you please take care of my community,” he said.

In a statement via email, David Haverly, President of Haverly Commercial Real Estate (HCRE), who’s been retained by the owner of the center, (SFLP) Princeville Center Owner, LLC to asset manage and expand the Princeville Shopping Center where Foodland Super Market is a tenant, explained why the lease was not renewed and wrote;

“The expansion of the Princeville Center will necessitate the removal of the current station, thus effectively terminating the current lease. North Shore General Store was notified in the spring of 2022 that its lease would not be renewed to allow for the expansion of the Princeville Center. We appreciate the tenancy of the North Shore General Store over the years and wanted to make this transition as smooth as possible for them. We hope the community will appreciate the expansion of the center and the added conveniences it will create— We wish them the best.”

Lastly, White thanks every customer, resident, and visitor of the NSGS for the outpouring of love and support they received during their final days. He also slightly hinted at other possible plans for the store.

“My family and the NSGS ‘ohana, we all appreciate and thank every single person, really from the bottom of my heart, every single one of you that supported us throughout the twenty years. I’ve read your messages, and I want you all to know that this is not the end for the North Shore General Store, and we will continue to move forward.”

To further support the North Shore General Store, visit their Instagram @northshoregeneralstore.