The long-awaited Haleiwa Store Lots officially opened in December with seven stores, and perhaps more importantly, dedicated walk-ways to help customers move safely around the area. The project was designed to reinforce the “mom and pop” nature of small businesses that populate the tightly knit community.
As expected, area merchants saw an increase in traffic as the winter surf season went into high gear with the Surfer Poll Awards, Vans Triple Crown, and the Quiksilver In Memory of Eddie Aikau.
“With the surf season starting and Haleiwa Store Lots being open, more and more people are coming to see what’s new,” said Collette Harris of Global Creations, one of the longtime Haleiwa businesses operating in the store lots. “The surf season really brings people in, and I have seen more and more traffic in front of the store. The surf brings people to Haleiwa, and they’re deciding to stop here. The No. 1 comment people make is they are so surprised with how this place turned out,”
Haleiwa Store Lots stores include Matsumoto Shave Ice, Global Creations, Malibu Shirts, Kahala Sportswear, T&C Surf, Whalers General Store and Haleiwa Fruit Stand.
Later this month, five new tenants will open their doors, including Teddy’s Bigger Burgers, Mahina, Guava Shop, Splash! Hawaii and Island Vintage Coffee.
Rajanee Thai Cuisine, Clark Little Galleries, Greenroom Hawaii, Uncle Bo’s Pupu Bar & Grill and Fatboy’s are expected to open in the coming months.