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MATSUMOTO SHAVE ICE EXPANDS RETAIL SPACE AT HALE‘IWA STORE LOTS, WILL CELEBRATE GRAND REOPENING OF ORIGINAL STORE ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3
HALE‘IWA, HI (September 28, 2015) – Iconic mom-and-pop shave ice establishment, Matsumoto Shave Ice, is a “must do” for locals and visitors trekking through the North Shore and Historic Hale‘iwa Town. With a recent expansion located next to the original location in the Hale‘iwa Store Lots, the shop shuttered the old spot for renovations and operated solely out of the expansion. Finally, Matsumoto Shave Ice is holding its Grand Reopening of the original store on the weekend of Saturday and Sunday, October 3 and 4, 2015, with the official festivities on Saturday, October 3, from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Hale‘iwa Store Lots.
During its celebratory weekend, Matsumoto Shave Ice is offering a 10-percent discount off of all Matsumoto Shave Ice branded items, except food and clearance items. The first 250 guests on both Saturday and Sunday will receive a thank you gift with free colorful popcorn, a celebratory Matsumoto t-shirt designed by local artist Ilona Herperly, a Matsumoto decal, as well as pogs and temporary Matsumoto tattoos for the keiki. Throughout the two days, there will also be lottery prizes given away.
The event will feature live entertainment in the Hale‘iwa Store Lots Kamehamalu Courtyard. Local artists will include Kaipo Kapua and Kanani Oliveira Wahiawa Hula Studio II. Everyone is welcome to enjoy the entertainment, take advantage of photo opportunities at Matsumoto, and enter to win the lucky lottery prizes that will include free shave ice coupons, gift sets, insulated and canvas bags, and Matsumoto t-shirts.
"Things have come a long way since the beginning," says co-owner Stanley Matsumoto. "I'm grateful to Kamehameha Schools for helping to build out Hale‘iwa Store Lots to help enhance the experience for both locals and visitors."
Founded originally as a grocery store by Mamoru and Helen Matsumoto in 1951, Matsumoto quickly developed a large following of regulars who flocked to the establishment for refreshing shave ice. Today, son Stanley and wife Noriko continue churning out icy cones just the way his father did, making up to 1,200 shave ice cones a day. The Matsumoto name grew to international fame and also spawned the Hawai‘i shave ice tradition.
“My parents would be happy to see this, and surprised to see how big it is today,” continues Stan Matsumoto. “I feel like we accomplished something with fixing up the old place. It’s stronger now. Some people will still miss the old store, the way it was, but now we have it the way we want it.”
The expansion is located right next to the original location in the Hale‘iwa Store Lots. With nearly double the original space and a new lanai seating area, customers are welcomed into a clean white and teal space that combines a fresh new premise and improved shave ice production line with elements of its historic general store days.
“When we opened the new space, people asked whether the old store will still be here, and yes, it was always meant to,” says Noriko Matsumoto. “We are excited to finally show everyone the old-new space.”
“We never could picture leaving this location,” she continues. “We’ve been here for more than fifty years, so to be able to stay here is like getting the best of both worlds—old and new.”
The expansion now serves as the main area, where the famous shave ice is made. Inside, the layout is designed to allow families and friends see their shave ice being assembled—an improvement compared to Matsumoto's former two-step ordering method, which had customers wait on the side for their shave ice.
The restored original building will now focus on retailing Matsumoto branded souvenir items, as well as some general store goods and plants. With a blend of fresh historicity, the reopened original space will serve as a commemoration to the original Matsumoto store.
The former Matsumoto Family home which once stood in back of the store has also been relocated, restored and now repurposed as the Hale‘iwa Store Lots’ Mā‘ilikūkahi Hale Kamehameha Schools North Shore Information Center and a management office.
Part of the Hale‘iwa Store Lots revitalization project, Matsumoto Shave Ice, along with the other merchants, collectively pay homage to the plantation history and surf culture of the Hale‘iwa area. The project was intended to support local merchants and reinforce the small businesses that populate this tightly knit community.
Hale‘iwa Store Lots is now open with 19 merchants: Matsumoto Shave Ice, Whaler’s General Store, Hale’iwa Fruit Stand, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Advantage Realty North Shore, Clark Little Gallery, Global Creations, Greenroom Hawai‘i, Guava Shop, Island Vintage Coffee, Kahala Sportswear, Mahina, Mā‘ilikūkahi Hale Kamehameha Schools North Shore Information Center, Malibu Shirts, Pick a Pearl by Maui Divers Jewelry, Spam Hawai‘i, Splash! Hawai‘i, T&C Surf, Teddy’s Bigger Burgers, Uncle Bo’s Pupu Bar & Grill. In the coming months, two remaining merchants will open, including Fatboy’s and Rajanee Thai Cuisine.
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About Hale‘iwa Store Lots
Located in the heart of Hale‘iwa town, the plantation-inspired Hale‘iwa Store Lots is an open-air retail center that is inspired by the area’s unique and historic charm. Spanning 27,300 square feet, the store lots offer gathering spaces and courtyards for both local residents and visitors to enjoy. This North Shore destination is home to twenty locally-operated businesses,featuring many with North Shore roots.
Owned by Kamehameha Schools, revenues generated from Hale‘iwa Store Lots fund educational opportunities for more than 47,000 learners and caregivers annually through three campuses on O‘ahu, Maui, and Hawaiʿi island; 30 preschools statewide, literacy instruction and support in more than 200 public school classrooms; financial and educational support for 17 Hawaiian-focused public charter schools; and collaborations with 50 additional organizations throughout the state.
