Earlier this year, a day visit to Kalepa's Store at Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa opened my eyes. I…read morefound the most meaningful key designing element - framed photos of actual mom 'n pop stores in Hawai'i. The inspiration behind Disney's retail store on O'ahu. It brought personality, warmth, meaning and an authentic deep connection to the rich history of my home-state.
Like the way mom 'n pop stores, locally-owned small businesses do.
It made me realize my unique role in my local community. How important my choices are, where I choose to take my business as a consumer. I made a commitment in that Yelp review, deciding on making small, gradual changes in some of my habitual spending.
Starting to fill-up my car with gas at Chika Nakano Repair Shop was the first step I took towards that commitment. After all, this business was mentioned in my Kalepa's Store review as one of the mom 'n pop stores currently still in-business on the Big Island of Hawai'i. Since my childhood.
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Some of my relatives recall working at a gas station as a teen, servicing customers in their Buick Special, Chevys and Fords. Pumping fuel, washing windshields, checking under the hood and inspecting tire pressure. I remember as a kid, uniformed attendants doing the same. I knew it as, full service at a gas station.
Full service at gas stations are hard to find nowadays, rare relics of the past. Thanks to strict laws in Hawai'i, large oil corporations are prevented from dominating the local market. Small businesses owners/family-owned gas stations like Chika Nakano are thankfully allowed to preserve their traditional business model. Since 1975.
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Attendants at Chika Nakano immediately appear, ready to serve with a warm demeanor and greeting. Willing, friendly, extremely attentive. My gas is pumped as I remain in my car, fluid levels such as oil and water are checked and refilled. All four tires are topped-off with pressure and payment is promptly collected + processed. As I sit comfortably in my car.
All this extra service, like the good'ole days, remains the same at Chika Nakano. It's completely free of charge. Except for the cost of gas and purchase of oil if needed. Gasoline here is provided by Hawai'i Petroleum.
It's service with a human touch and I don't feel hurried while filling up gas. I love the level of care that's offered with full service at Chika Nakano Repair Shop and how it creates safer driving on the roads. It's not about upselling and convenience store visits here, it's about creating relationships with the community. To serve the local community and remain a communal neighborhood hub.
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Since my childhood, many once popular mom 'n pop stores have been replaced by franchises and national brands. An image of a national brand brings a certain level of trust and reliability, while franchises offer a level of consistency. I believe it's not only in Hawai'i but everywhere else. You saw that shift too, right?
But, I have to agree that small businesses that are locally-owned, the mom 'n pop ones like Chika Nakano, bring a unique character to the community along with that "something special". They shape the culture of the town they're in and bring a strong sense of belonging. It's cozy, welcoming and personalized. Something franchises and national brands can't emulate.
I implore you to do the same, make that shift to support mom 'n pop stores. Like I have by filling up my car with gas at Chika Nakano Repair Shop. Open since 1975 on the Big Island of Hawai'i - East side. Then, intermittently bring your business to mom 'n pop stores, franchises, national brands and small local businesses all-together. Immerse yourself in the details and become forever inspired.
