LIHU‘E — May is more than flowers blooming, as Kukui Grove Center celebrated the openings of two new tenants — Otsuka’s in Kukui Marketplace and 8 Moons Jewelry Art in the shopping center across from Oki’s Bento.
“We were still setting up and customers would come in the door,” said Jeanette Otsuka Chang of Otsuka’s. “But we never turned them away because they needed something.”
The store is ready for customers and shoppers now. Its scheduled hours are Wednesday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday through Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Otsuka’s also accepts appointments from customers whose schedules don’t meet the scheduled open hours.
“With their reputation for quality furniture and service for more than 80 years, Otsuka’s is a great addition to Kukui Marketplace next to Mattress Firm and Target stores. Their creativity and energy is such a great reminder of the strength of local business on Kaua‘i,” said Melissa McFerrin Warrack, the manager of specialty leasing and marketing for Kukui Grove Center.
“On their first day of arrival, Jeanette Otsuka Chang and the Otsuka’s team were right out there in the food court handing out Easter goodies at the Spring Festival and letting families know about their new home at Kukui Grove,” McFerrin Warrach said.
”Customers have already commented on how much they appreciate this new, central location, and have been driving by to see the new offerings at the store that, on paper, is open now.”
Chang introduced Rose Lalin, who is described as a project designer and has the ability to work on projects with customers either in the store or at a customer’s home or office. Rowena Sablay is the administrative assistant, and Nena Castillo is “retired,” but Chang won’t let her go because she makes a wicked lilikoi pie.
“They do it all,” Chang said. “And, we can’t forget our delivery crews that get furniture to customer’s homes. I didn’t do much. They set up the entire store, and the delivery guys unloaded two containers and set up the warehouse so it would be convenient for them on deliveries. They’re the ones who did everything to get the store ready for customers.”
Chang said when the Otsuka’s building in Kapa‘a was sold, her children thought she could retire.
But no. She continued the Otsuka legacy of retailing, moving to the former Cost-U-Less building, and then to the Kukui Marketplace site. The future of Otsuka’s Furniture is with the help of Chang’s son Arin.
“What COVID has taught small business is that you can do business in a different way. You can be free to be creative and innovative,” Chang said. “Now, with my son Arin coming onboard at Otsuka’s Furniture, he is bringing his engineering and web-building skills to launch Otsuka’s Online, a whole new level in furniture buying. His grandfather, Wallace Y. Otsuka, the founder of Otsuka Sales & Service Ltd. in 1935, would be proud that as Otsuka’s moves forward, we still hold service as our top priority.”
For information, visit www.otsukas.com or call 808-822-7766.
Up at the shopping center, Susy Guzman, her husband Guillermo and her son Guillermo Jr. were decked out in their finery, including lei, to join the festivities at Saturday’s Parent and Child Fair.
“Susy and her son designed everything that’s in this shop,” McFerrin Warrack said. “That includes her paintings that are all original works of art.”
Following the Kukui Grove Center regular hours, Suzy Guzman said she is excited that 8 Moons Jewelry Art is just a few doors down from the Kaua‘i Society of Artists gallery, where artist Julia Pinnock is hosting her second year of “Paint with Julia” series that continues through May 10.
“Not creating is boring,” Susy Guzman said. “We just have to create.”
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 808-245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
