LIHU‘E — There are a lot of curvaceous women out there, said Paula Schultz, a volunteer at the St. Michael’s &All Angels’ Episcopal Church Holiday Craft Fair, on Saturday.
“After you reach a certain age, you naturally become curvaceous,” she said. “Where is Curvaceous? I’m definitely going to have to check it out.”
Her comments reflected those of other people, some waiting in line for the Salt + Sea pop-up to open that were anxious for the opening of Curvaceous Clothing at Kukui Grove Center.
“I’m hoping that Curvaceous Clothing fills the need for plus sizes,” said Shay DeMello, who along with partner Scott Yamamoto own and operate the new store located a few doors down from Game Stop at Kukui Grove. “Ever since I was little, I dreamed of a store like this after having problems trying to find clothes.”
Following the blessing by Kahu Jade Wai‘ale‘ale Battad on Saturday morning, the clothing boutique will be open Monday through Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
“This is a true small business,” said Melissa McFerrin-Warrack of the Kukui Grove Center. “Shay got help from Robbie Melton and the Small Business Development Center to get up and running. The opening of Curvaceous is a preview of things to come as the shopping center celebrates Small Business Saturday, a national, American Express-driven initiative that comes in the midst of Black Friday and Cyber Monday after Thanksgiving.”
Over at the Salt + Sea pop-up, shoppers crowded the unused outdoor seating of Genki Sushi and sent runners for breakfast drinks from Jamba Juice while eyeing the “Early Black Friday” sales advertised on the window banners of the shop scheduled to open at 10 a.m.
Keith Smith, the grand marshall for the Koloa Plantation Days historic parade, was among the vendors at the St. Michael &All Angels’ Episcopal Church Holiday Craft Fair, making a personal appearance to sign copies of “Plantation Kids” recipes that were being vended as a fundraiser for the church.
Colleen Tamura of Boutique Tees returned to her first craft fair following a layoff due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
She said she’ll be vending at the Kaua‘i Handworks fair that will open its doors at 8:30 a.m.m on Saturday at the Kaua‘i Veterans Center in Lihu‘e. This return of Kaua‘i Handworks is a departure from its days when the fair was held at the Wilcox Elementary School cafeteria on the Saturday following Thanksgiving.
Artist Roy Buduan said he’s participated in at least three other craft fairs. The St. Michael &All Angels’ event was his final event for this year.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 808-245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
