First openings for Beach Walk
|
•
|
Flash presentation: A new look for the Beach Walk area |
By Andrew Gomes
Advertiser Staff Writer
The first bits of food, music and merchandise will begin to flow along the revitalized makai end of Lewers Street this week as one of Waikiki's most extensive retail redevelopment projects in decades begins opening.
Six or so stores selling sunglasses, sundries, Italian ice cream, art, classic design T-shirts, coffee and tea open this week at Waikiki Beach Walk as construction winds up on the project that broke ground in April 2005.
Developer Outrigger Enterprises said strolling musicians tomorrow will begin performing daily in the late afternoons along the landscaped plaza fronting two levels of store space where two decaying hotels once stood.
"For the most part, it'll resemble an open shopping center," said Barbara Campbell, vice president of leasing and development for Outrigger.
By month's end, another six or so stores are slated to open, including Japanese cream puff maker Beard Papa's, Maui Divers, ABC Stores and sellers of jewelry, swimwear and apparel.
Also opening, on Dec. 18, will be the first of two towers comprising Hilton's new Embassy Suites Hotel that connects with the 94,000-square-foot retail complex.
The area, however, won't all be polished and festive. Construction of store facades and interiors for about 35 other tenants will continue for several months, and sewer-related roadwork near the intersection of Lewers and Kalia Road will likely continue through Dec. 18.
The majority of the project's roughly 50 retailers and restaurants, including big dining anchors — Roy's Restaurant, Ruth's Chris Steak House, Holokai Grill and Yard House, with its selection of 130 draft beers — are slated to open between January and May.
Campbell said several merchants raced to open this week because Waikiki's tourist population is at maximum capacity from the Honolulu Marathon, U2 concert and events surrounding commemoration of the Dec. 7, 1941, Pearl Harbor attack.
"Waikiki is completely sold out," she said. "They want to take advantage of that."
The first store, sunglasses retailer Freaky Tiki Tropical Optical, was scheduled to open yesterday. Slated to open tomorrow are seascape art gallery Tabora's Diamond Head Gallery and Malibu Shirts, a T-shirt shop decorated with surfing memorabilia including vintage boards and trophies.
Denny Moore, Malibu Shirts owner, said his construction crew had been working until midnight or later for at least a week. "We'll be open on Monday," he said.
Reach Andrew Gomes at agomes@honoluluadvertiser.com.
• • •
• • •
