Pier 1 Imports Opens First Big Island Store
FORT WORTH, Texas (June 15, 2012) – Pier 1 Imports is pleased to announce the opening of its newest store in Kailua-Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii. The new store is located at 74-5586 Palani Road at the Kona Coast Shopping Center and will officially open to the public at 10 a.m. on Friday, June 22.
Grand opening festivities are currently slated for Saturday and Sunday, July 21 and 22. “We are thrilled to bring our first Pier 1 Imports store location to the Big Island of Hawaii and hope that our new Kona location will introduce customers to the eclectic and fun merchandise unique to Pier 1 Imports,” said Alex W. Smith, President and Chief Executive Officer of Pier 1 Imports. “Pier 1 Imports offers merchandise that fits all decorating styles, as well as a broad array of affordable holiday décor, furniture and gifts, and we look forward to sharing our unique shopping experience with the residents of Kona and the Big Island of Hawaii,” Smith said.
The total retail square footage of the store is 8,448 square feet. The store will be led by store manager, Jenna Criswell of Kailua-Kona. This will be the fifth Pier 1 Imports location in Hawaii, and it will feature the new store concept (additional details included below). On average, the store will employ approximately 40 part-time associates to support the new store opening. Associate hours fluctuate based on the needs of the business and the season. Pier 1 Imports has three stores on Oahu in Honolulu, Kailua and Pearl City, and one on Maui in Kahului. Pier 1 Imports opened its first Hawaii store at Ward Centers in Honolulu in 1998.
A traditional Hawaiian blessing ceremony will be conducted by Kahu (Reverend) Kealoha Kaopua Coleman of the Calvary Community Church in Kona on Friday, June 22, prior to the store’s opening at 10 a.m. The ceremony will feature the untying of a maile lei, signifying the official opening of the store. To celebrate the opening, the first 300 shoppers on June 22 will receive a free signature reusable bag and an iconic Pier 1 Imports backscratcher.
The store’s grand opening festivities will take place on Saturday and Sunday, July 21 and 22. Additionally, 94.7 FM (Hilo) and 101.5 FM (Kona) will host a radio remote event from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, July 21. Attendees will have the opportunity to receive free Pier 1 Imports’ product giveaways, as well as gift cards.
New Store Concept
Pier 1 Imports was pleased to announce the unveiling of its new store concept this past fall. The new store design is a natural evolution of the Pier 1 Imports experience that utilizes a new interior finish-out, including natural-colored floor tiles, rustic ceiling elements, enhanced store lighting and lit shelving units lining the walls, all of which help customers visualize the end-use of the products within their own home. The new look is complemented by the use of “open stock” merchandising, designed to enhance the shopping environment by giving customers the opportunity to see, feel and interact with the product. The exterior design features a signature bamboo door with rustic metal door handles that will mark the entrance to Pier 1 Imports’ unique shopping experience. The features of the new store will allow easier navigation, all while maintaining the “treasure hunt” feel and continuing to make Pier 1 Imports a great place for discovery and spending time browsing.
The Community
Pier 1 Imports is dedicated to supporting the communities in which its associates live and work, as well as the international community from where it imports much of its merchandise. Since 1985, Pier 1 Imports has contributed more than $37 million to philanthropic organizations through international, national and local efforts including UNICEF (the United Nations Children’s Fund) and the United Way.
About Pier 1 Imports
Pier 1 Imports, Inc. is the original global importer of imported decorative home furnishings and gifts. Information about the Company is available on www.pier1.com.