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The Honolulu Advertiser

Posted on: Thursday, February 17, 2005

New Schofield mall coming

By Catherine E. Toth
Advertiser Staff Writer

The exchange at Schofield Barracks is scheduled to be replaced next year with a new complex of shops and services, providing new opportunities to local small businesses.

Exchange info

Workshop on government contracting opportunities

Feb. 25, 8 to 11 a.m.

Small Business Resource Center, 1041 Nu'uanu Ave. Suite A

Cost: $10, includes materials and refreshments

Advanced registration required

Information: 522-8136

Web: www.hwbc.org or www.sba.gov

The Army Air Force Exchange Service said the new exchange will be similar to the Navy Exchange at Pearl Harbor. It is scheduled to open in 2006.

The exchange, which hasn't had much interest from local small businesses in the past, wants to fill the retail space with shops in a number of industries ranging from custom framing to computer repair.

"This is a good opportunity for small businesses that want to work with the federal government," said Mary Spencer, the Procurement Center representative at the Hawai'i district office of the Small Business Administration. "We're trying to get local businesses to come out and at least apply."

For the new mall at Schofield, AAFES is looking for a variety of tenants including a beauty salon, optical, alteration and cell phone accessory shops, laundry and dry-cleaning services, one-hour photo service, pet supply store, Hawaiian and Oriental gift shops, and embroidery services.

The exchange service also wants a major retail shipping store such as UPS, FedEx or Kinko's.

The Hawai'i Women's Business Center, which is partially funded by an SBA grant, is hosting a workshop Feb. 25 to help small-business owners understand how to apply for these government contracts.

Many local businesses don't apply for contracts because they don't know the opportunities are there, Spencer said.

"There are opportunities," she said. "Some of them are small, but why not try for them?"