Posted at 4:09 p.m., Friday, October 27, 2006
Jeans Warehouse named Hawai'i retailer of the year
Advertiser Staff
Jeans Warehouse Inc. founded by Linda Holt and run by chief executive Phil Fong has been named Retailer of the Year by the Retail Merchants of Hawai'i trade association.The local business, which Holt started in a swap-meet stall in 1978 and expanded to a chain of 22 stores statewide today, was among several retailers honored with Ho'okela Awards at the association's annual conference today.
Other award winners were:
· Retail employee: Sadao Goya of City Mill Co. Ltd.
· Neighborhood retail business: Liliha Bakery Ltd.
· Resort retail business: Tori Richard
· O'ahu retail business: Native Books/Na Mea Hawai'i
· Big Island retail business: Big Island Jewelers Ltd.
· Maui retail business: The Lavender Farm Inc. dba Ali'i Kula Lavender
· Kaua'i retail business: Nakoa Enterprises Inc.
· E-commerce retailer: Paradise Flower Farms Inc.
· Shopping center achievement: Scott Creel, regional marketing director for MMI Realty Services Inc., which manages centers including Pearlridge Center, Kahala Mall and Aloha Tower Marketplace.
· Governor's award for exemplary service to the retail industry: Masako "Nashi" Nashimoto-Luttrell, president and owner of Nashimoto & Associates, a leading Hawai'i-based Japanese advertising, marketing and public relations firm.
