Posted on: Saturday, October 23, 2004
Retailers honor City Mill siblings
Advertiser Staff
The brother and sister running City Mill Home Improvement Centers as a team were named retailers of the year yesterday by Retail Merchants of Hawaii.
As third-generation siblings of the Ai family operating the family business established in 1899, Steven Ai and Carol Ai May in the 1990s took over what is now an eight-store chain. "Nurturing a team environment that empowers their employees and listens to their customers, the siblings have helped City Mill enjoy continued growth with current revenues of nearly $60 million," the trade association said in a statement announcing its 10th Annual Ho'okela Awards.
Alan Yoshioka of Harry's Music Store was named retail employee of the year. Known for recalling lyrics to almost any popular song dating back to the 1950s, Yoshioka is a fixture at the Kaimuki store, where he has worked more than 50 years. Yoshioka manages printed and recorded music sections, creates store displays, catalogs Hawaiian music and handles marketing for Harry's.
Bob's Maui Dive Shop Inc. was named resort retail business of the year. The 26-year-old company with 10 shops at Maui malls operates not just snorkel and dive boats, but sailing tours, jeep rentals, a wholesale distribution business, a dive lodge and activities desks.
Island Triathlon & Bike Inc. was named neighborhood retailer of the year. This Kapahulu business once operated four locations with more than $3 million in annual sales, but scaled back to its original store to improve management and profitability.
Other awards presented yesterday:
• O'ahu Retail Business of the Year: City Mill. • Maui County Retail Business of the Year: Lanai Hardware and Lumber Inc. • Big Island Retail Business of the Year: Parker Ranch Store. • Kaua'i Retail Business of the Year: Lotus Gallery. • Governor's Award for Exemplary Service to the Industry: Peter Schall, senior vice president of Hilton Hotels Corp.'s Hawai'i region. In the Governor's Fashion Awards category:
• Manufacturer of the Year: Sig Zane Designs (traditional); Ka'anohi Fashions (contemporary); Leighton Lam Designs (unique). • Shopping Center of the Year: Whaler's Village, managed by Don Reaser.
