Shimogawa Scoops

Vera Bradley, the famous designer, maker and retailer of women’s handbags, luggage and other items, closed its Ala Moana Center location in Honolulu. The Indiana-based company is keeping its newer International Market Place store in Waikiki. It also has an outlet store at the Waikele Premium Outlets in Central Oahu. Vera Bradley’s Ala Moana store closure is part of the retailer’s plan to close more than a dozen locations across the country in the next two years after seeing a drop in revenues.

Joe Pacific Shoe Repair, the iconic shoe repair shop in Downtown Honolulu that has was founded nearly two decades ago is up for sale, Shimogawa Scoops has learned. Located in a very visible nearly 1,000-square-foot space on Queen Street, Joe Pacific is on the market with an asking price of nearly $500,000. Its owner, Robert Lopresti, is retiring. Joe Pacific, which used to be located in the nearby alley between Queen and Merchant streets, moved to its visible location in 2016. The popular shoe repair shop is expected to follow in the footsteps of the recent closure of iconic men’s clothing store Andy Mohan Inc., which was located for many years across the street from Joe Pacific at the Topa Financial Center.

The owners of Beer Lab HI near the University of Hawaii Manoa in Honolulu are expanding to Central Oahu with a new brewery and bar opening at the Ukee Industrial Court in the Waipio Gentry Business Park, Shimogawa Scoops has learned. The trio of Pearl Harbor nuclear engineers have filed permits with Honolulu regulators regarding its new location called “BLH Brewing LLC.” Beer Lab HI’s expansion continues the momentum the local craft beer industry has been enjoying in the last several years.