ABC Stores
 | |
| Formerly | Mister K |
|---|---|
| Company type | Private |
| Founded | 1964 |
| Founder | Sidney Kosasa |
| Headquarters | , U.S. |
Key people | Paul Kosasa (President & CEO) |
| Services | Convenience store |
| Parent | MNS Ltd. |
| Subsidiaries |
|
| Website | abcstores |
ABC Stores is a convenience retail chain headquartered in Honolulu. The company operates a total of 73 outlets, with 58 situated within Hawaii, and the others distributed across the Mariana Islands (1), Las Vegas (6), and Guam (8).[1] Currently, ABC Stores achieves annual revenues exceeding $230 million and employs more than 1,500 individuals. It ranks as the 37th largest business entity in Hawaii.[2]
Products
The retail outlets offer a variety of convenience goods including groceries alongside tourist-focused merchandise and souvenirs. Among the top-selling products are items tailored to visitors such as Macadamia nuts, sunscreen, and sunglasses. Template:Fix/category[citation needed]
History
Founded by Japanese-American entrepreneur Sidney Kosasa, the inaugural store opened its doors in Waikīkī in 1964. Initially branded as "Mister K," the stores were later renamed "ABC Stores" to enhance brand recall. The transition from Mister K to ABC Stores was completed by 2009.
Sidney Kosasa, known affectionately within the ABC Stores ‘Ohana’ or family as ‘Mr. K,’ was born in December 1919 in Palolo Valley, Hawaii. His early retail experience began working at his parents’ grocery shop located in Palolo, Hawaii.
In 1949, Mr. and Mrs. Kosasa launched their first pharmacy-convenience outlet in Kaimuki, Hawaii, which eventually became known as Thrifty Drugs. Over the following decade, driven by his entrepreneurial vision and business principles, four additional locations were established. During a business convention held in Miami Beach, Florida, Mr. Kosasa observed the concentration of tourists near major hotels and conceived the idea of developing a resort-focused retail chain in Hawaii. This vision materialized with the opening of the first ABC Store on Kalakaua Avenue in Waikīkī in 1964.
Sidney Kosasa passed away on November 17, 2006. His son Paul currently serves as CEO of ABC Stores.[3]
Brands
ABC Stores
The flagship brand of the company, ABC Stores, stands as its most extensive sub-brand with over 58 outlets spread throughout the Hawaiian Islands and other locations. These convenience-style shops offer a variety of local Hawaiian specialties such as macadamia nuts, chocolates, and coffee, alongside clothing, grocery items, and a wide range of alcoholic beverages.
Island Gourmet Markets
Described by the company as a "lifestyle market and gift shop," Island Gourmet Markets feature a broader selection of groceries including fresh fruits, vegetables, and meats, in addition to the typical merchandise found in standard ABC Stores like apparel, gifts, and snacks. Currently, this brand operates two stores—one located at Queens’ MarketPlace in Waikoloa and another at the Shops at Wailea on Maui. Similar outlets managed under different names include the Honolua Store at the Kapalua Resort on Maui and Sueoka Market in Koloa on the island of Kauaʻi.
Island Country Markets
The company classifies Island Country Markets also as a "lifestyle market and gift shop." These stores are generally bigger than traditional ABC Stores but smaller than Island Gourmet Markets. They prioritize fresh and prepared foods more heavily than ABC Stores but do not carry as extensive a grocery selection as their larger counterparts. Presently, there are three Island Country Markets: one at the Ritz Carlton Residences near Waikīkī beach, another within the Ko Olina Resorts on Oahu, and a third in Kapaʻa on Kauai.
Dukes Lane Market & Eatery
In 2017, the company launched Dukes Lane Eatery, a restaurant and food hall situated in Waikīkī.
Restaurants
The company also owns several dining establishments, with prominent venues including Lineage in Wailea, Basalt in Waikīkī, and Island Deli outlets located within various retail stores operated by the company.
References
- ↑ "Find an ABC Store Near You". abcstores.com. Retrieved 2023-10-29.
- ↑ Mari Taketa (September 26, 2017). "ABC Stores Ventures into Upscale Dining with Dukes Lane Market & Eatery". Honolulu Magazine.
- ↑ "Sidney Kosasa". Densho Encyclopedia. Retrieved 2025-02-24.