Posted on: Wednesday, August 25, 2004
Swap meet vendors get new operator
By Dan Nakaso
Advertiser Staff Writer
The 700 to 800 vendors at the Aloha Stadium swap meet will find themselves under new management next Wednesday when the operation changes hands from Consolidated Amusement Co. to Mainland-based Centerplate.
Advertiser library photo Spartanburg, S.C.-based Centerplate runs concessions at sports and convention venues throughout the United States, including those used by 10 NFL teams.
Centerplate's winning bid would give the company 18.95 percent of the approximately $4 million total annual rent that vendors pay to the Aloha Stadium, said Anthony Guerrero, chairman of the Aloha Stadium Authority.
Swap meet vendors will see no immediate changes, said Eddie Hayashi, stadium manager.
"They won't be affected," Hayashi said. "For now, they're (Centerplate) not planning to change anything. The rent will be the same for now."
Centerplate had previously been known as Volume Services. The company has been running the stadium's food concessions for three years and also operates concessions at the Neal Blaisdell Center and Sea Life Park, Hayashi said.
The company's new contract with the Stadium Authority to take over the swap meet's operations runs for three years, with two possible one-year extensions.
"When the contract comes up and if the relationship's good, we could extend," Hayashi said.
The swap meet operates Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Reach Dan Nakaso at dnakaso@honoluluadvertiser.com or at 525-8085.
Consolidated and Goodwill Industries of Hawai'i lost the latest bid to take over the swap meet's operations after Consolidated's four-year contract expired.
Swap meet vendors are not expected to see any immediate changes, including their rent, when a Mainland-based company takes over operations at the Aloha Stadium swap meet next Wednesday.
