As we head into an exciting new year, LUVA Real Estate wants to keep you abreast of some of the local changes we have seen recently around town. From new construction, to new stores and restaurants opening and the closing of others. Kona is an area in flux and change, although seemingly slow here, is a constant.
Here are a few of the latest changes in Kona: The Sports Authority, which closed its doors a few years ago in the Kona Commons, is splitting the 40,000 square foot building into three commercial spaces. They are tearing the facade of the building down to remove the large Sports Authority sign and are in the process of sectioning the building to bring in an Old Navy. There has not been solid confirmation on the second and third tenants.
Pier One Imports is closing
West Hawaii Today reported in December that Pier One was closing the store “As part of a strategic business decision including both our Kailua-Kona and Hilo locations in early 2020, though exact timing will vary for each location,” Jennifer Reeder, Pier 1 spokesperson, was reported as saying. Pier One has been a welcome addition to the furniture scene for our local homeowners and it will be a loss to Kona.
Niumalu Shopping Center Update
The new shopping center on the corner of Henry Street and Queen Kaahumanu Highway has opened the connector road from Henry to the Lanihau Shopping Center recently. The main section of the center, which will be a Safeway, has its walls up and the center is really taking shape. There has not been official word on when the center is set to open or who the other tenants will be.
Waterfront Row Center Update
The new Papa Kona restaurant, which replaced the Daylight Mind Coffee Company, is creating quite a buzz with its almost daily lineup of free musical entertainment and will soon be rolling out a new dinner menu. Nearby Kai Eats and Drinks, has their coffee shop open in the old Bubba Gump Shrimp Company building and appears almost ready to open their doors to the public. The website says the restaurant is “dropping in early 2020” so we await their planned casual dining menu.
Coconut Grove Marketplace Update
During last summer crews removed the old sand from the volleyball court, and poured 16-inch-high walls around it to provide seating. It is now filled with new super, high-quality white sand and the volleyball players are out each day enjoying the new court. With the renovations there is more room for people to enjoy watching the court and the sunset on the grassy slope that overlooks the court due to new tiers and new tables and chairs. Fun for the family are a new bocce ball court and a giant Jenga game and cornhole bean bag games above the volleyball courts. This has made quite a perfect setting to get your Gypsea Gelato and hang out and enjoy the scene.
Kona Inside Info
About Volleyball Pit
A little known fact about the .33 acre volleyball court, is it sits on state land leased by the retail center from the Department of Land and Natural Resources. In addition to recreation, the volleyball court functions as part of a larger drainage system for the marketplace, serving as a detention basin during heavy rainfall. San Francisco Bay Coffee Closing Four year old San Francisco Bay Coffee is closing its Kona Coffee Bar store in the Kona Inn Shopping Village effective Jan. 31st. The shop had created a modern and air conditioned space in the shopping center and at this time, there is no news of anyone taking over the space lease.
New Coffee Experience
HiCO – Hawaiian Coffee, which opened a small stand alone shop in the Brewery Block on Pawai Street, boasts a rotating menu of specialty Hawaiian coffee at their new location. The Brewery Block is still working to open Umeke’s in a newly constructed commercial space.
So, you can see there is much going on in Kona as we head into the new year!
If you would like to learn more about homes available in Kona to take advantage of all the exciting new places opening, please contact LUVA Real Estate to be connected with one of our trusted Realtors.