Business Wrap: Book Store Opens 2nd Store, Uncle Robert’s Closes

With Halloween and Thanksgiving under our belts, the holiday season is in full swing at businesses island wide. Some, like Auto Body Hawaii and Big Island Book Buyers, are expanding their services and even adding new locations.

Others, like Uncle Robert’s ho‘olaulea and farmers market have become a victim of their own success.

Kailua Village Business Improvement District Seeks Board Applicants

Do you want to have a say in business improvements in Kailua-Kona?

Members of Kailua Village Business Improvement District interested in serving on the volunteer board of directors are invited to run for election.

Terms for the six open board positions are two years and commence at the election held at the annual meeting to be held on March 15, 2013.

Eligibility for elected board members is limited to members of the district.

Four of the six open seats will be filled by fee simple owners and/or lessees of land within the district and two directors will be commercial tenants within the district.

Application deadline is Tuesday, January 15, 2013. Applications are available online at HistoricKailuaVillage.com. 

Auto Body Hawaii Expands to Offer Mechanical Servicing and Repairs

In other west Hawaii news, Auto Body Hawaii has announced a new division to its extensive range of services: mechanical servicing and repairs.

The company, which has provided collision repairs for 40 years, will now offer a comprehensive mechanical service program for all vehicle types—both personal and business fleet.

Auto Body Hawaii educates employees to the highest caliber, using the most advanced and extensive vehicle servicing equipment.

Services include wheel alignment, air conditioning, engine and oil, automatic transmission flushing, brakes, tire and balancing, exhaust, electrical, steering and suspension, plus general fleet maintenance.

For more info call, 808-329-2544, or visit http://www.autobodyhawaii.com/

Big Island Book Buyers Adds Second Store

Pahoa-based Big Island Book Buyers, has just opened their second location in downtown Hilo.

The store, which opened in the space that was formerly Books, Nooks, and Crannies on Waianuenue Avenue, offers gently used books and DVDs.

The two stores also carry Hawaiiana books, tour guides, and local author genres, as well as locally produced greeting cards.

People can bring in non-fiction and pocket paperback books to sell or trade.

The store is particularly interested in considering non-fiction books on Hawaiiana, gardening, sustainability, cookbooks, eastern and world religions, spirituality, and travel and health related topics.

For more info call 315-5335 or go to http://bigislandbookbuyers.com.

Uncle Robert’s Farmers Market and Ho‘olaulea Closes

For nearly a year the Wednesday night farmers market and ho‘olaulea held at Uncle Robert’s awa bar has been a huge success.

The only night-time farmers market on island, the event featured live music, a variety of food vendors, as well as local produce and hand-crafted goods.

Several hundred residents and visitors alike flocked to the open-air market on a weekly basis.

Apparently, too much popularity can be a bad thing. Earlier this month the Keliihoomalu ohana (who own the land where the farmers market is held) decided to shut down operations due to the negative behavior of a few patrons.

If you know of a business just starting, expanding, or offering new products drop us a line, newsdesk {at} bigislandnow.com.