ABC Stores

Last updated
ABC Stores
FormerlyMister K
Type Private
Founded1964
FounderSidney Kosasa
Headquarters,
U.S.
Key people
Paul Kosasa
(President & CEO)
Services Convenience store
Parent MNS Ltd.
Subsidiaries Island Gourmet Markets

Island Country Markets

Island Deli

Honolua Store

Dukes Lane Market & Eatery
Website abcstores.com
An ABC Store in Honolulu, Hawaii An abc stores in honolulu hawaii by eekim 2012.jpg
An ABC Store in Honolulu, Hawaii
An ABC Store in Tamuning, Guam ABC Store Guam.jpg
An ABC Store in Tamuning, Guam

ABC Stores is a chain of convenience stores based in Honolulu. The chain operates 73 stores, 58 of which are located in the state of Hawaii, with the remaining locations in the Mariana Islands (1), Las Vegas (6), and Guam (8). [1] The company now generates more than $230 million in annual sales and employs over 1500 staff, and is described as the 37th largest company in Hawaii. [2]

Contents

Products

The stores sell convenience items such as groceries, as well as tourist items and souvenirs. The chain's best-selling items are tourist-oriented products such as Macadamia nuts, sunscreen and sunglasses. [ citation needed ]

History

The chain was started by a Japanese American, Sidney Kosasa, who opened his first store in Waikiki in 1964. The stores were originally named "Mister K." Later, in order to make the store name easier to remember, the name of the stores were changed to "ABC Stores." The last Mister K was changed to ABC in 2009.

The son of a first generation Japanese immigrant, Sidney Kosasa (or rather ‘Mr. K’- known by his ABC Stores ‘Ohana’ or family) was born in Palolo Valley, Hawaii in December 1919. His first experiences in retail began while working in his parents’ grocery store in Palolo.

In 1949, Mr. and Mrs. K. opened their first pharmacy/convenience store in Kaimuki, Hawaii – known later as Thrifty Drugs. As business grew, his entrepreneurial and business philosophies resulted in the opening of four locations within 10 years. While attending a business convention in Miami Beach, Florida, Mr. K noticed all the tourists near the large hotels and had a vision to build a chain of resort stores in Hawaii. The first ABC Store was opened on Kalakaua Avenue in Waikiki, Hawaii in 1964.

Brands

ABC Stores

The company's namesake brand is also is largest sub-brand, having more than 58 locations across the Hawaiian Islands and beyond. [1] These convenience store style shops carry local Hawaiian products like macadamia nuts, chocolates, and coffee as well as apparel, groceries, and all types of alcoholic products.

Island Gourmet Markets

Island Gourmet Markets is described by the company as a "lifestyle market and gift shop." [3] These large format stores carries a more expanded assortment of grocery items including fresh produce and meats as well as the traditional products find in standard ABC Stores like apparel, gifts, and snacks. This brand currently has two locations - one in Waikoloa's Queens’ MarketPlace and the other in the Shops at Wailea on the Hawaiian Island of Maui. [3] Similar establishments are also operated by them under another name at the Kapalua Resort on in Maui (the Honolua Store) [4] and in Koloa on Kauaʻi (Sueoka Market). [5]

Island Country Markets

Island Country Markets are officially described by the company also as a "lifestyle market and gift shop." [6] Country Markets are generally smaller than the large Gourmet Markets but larger than the traditional ABC Store. They have a stronger emphasis on fresh and prepared food than ABC Stores but lack the same level of groceries available at their larger cousin. The brand currently has locations three locations - one at Ritz Carlton Residences Waikiki Beach, one at the Ko Olina Resorts on the Island of Oahu, and the final one in Kapaa on the Hawaiian Island of Kauai.

Duke's Lane Market & Eatery

In 2017, they opened a restaurant and food hall known as the Dukes Lane Eatery in Waikiki. [2]

Restaurants

The company also owns and operates a number of restaurants with the most popular being Lineage in Wailea, [7] Basalt in Waikiki, [8] and Island Deli locations in some of its various retail establishments. [9]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Convenience store</span> Small store that stocks a range of everyday items

A convenience store, bodega, convenience shop, corner store or corner shop is a small retail store that stocks a range of everyday items such as coffee, groceries, fruits, vegetables, snacks, confectionery, soft drinks, ice creams, tobacco products, lottery tickets, over-the-counter drugs, toiletries, newspapers and magazines. In some jurisdictions, convenience stores are licensed to sell alcoholic drinks, although many jurisdictions limit such beverages to those with relatively low alcohol content, like beer and wine. The stores may also offer money order and wire transfer services, along with the use of a fax machine or photocopier for a small per-copy cost. Some also sell tickets or recharge smart cards, e.g. OPUS cards in Montreal or include a small deli. They differ from general stores and village shops in that they are not in a rural location and are used as a convenient supplement to larger stores.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Milk bar</span> Suburban local general store or café

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Supermarket</span> Large format of grocery store

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Waikiki</span> Neighborhood of Honolulu in Honolulu County, Hawaii, United States

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grocery store</span> Retail store that primarily sells food and other household supplies

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Delicatessen</span> Shop selling cured meats and sausages, expensive cheeses, caviar, or luxury confectionery

Traditionally, a delicatessen or deli is a retail establishment that sells a selection of fine, exotic, or foreign prepared foods. Delicatessens originated in Germany during the 18th century and spread to the United States in the mid-19th century. European immigrants to the United States, especially Ashkenazi Jews, popularized the delicatessen in U.S. culture beginning in the late 19th century. Today, many large retail stores like supermarkets have deli sections.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">QuickChek</span>

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">McLane Company</span> American wholesale supply chain services company

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References

  1. 1 2 "Find an ABC Store Near You". abcstores.com. Retrieved 2023-10-29.
  2. 1 2 Mari Taketa (September 26, 2017). "ABC Stores Ventures into Upscale Dining with Dukes Lane Market & Eatery". Honolulu Magazine .
  3. 1 2 "About Us". ABC Island. Retrieved 2023-10-30.
  4. "Honolua Store". abcstores.com. Retrieved 2023-10-30.
  5. "Sueoka Market". abcstores.com. Retrieved 2023-10-30.
  6. "Shopping in Ko Olina & Kapolei | Friendly Service". ABC Island Country Market. Retrieved 2023-10-30.
  7. "Lineage". abcstores.com. Retrieved 2023-10-30.
  8. "Basalt". abcstores.com. Retrieved 2023-10-30.
  9. "Island Deli Products - ABC Stores". abcstores.com. Retrieved 2023-10-30.