Hilo Hatties Happy on Mainland

At the same center, the general manager of the Honolulu-based Hilo Hatties has spotted a Christmas trend.

“I guarantee that for every gift we wrap, we’re selling the customer something for themselves,” Jim Cipolla said.

Hilo Hatties, which sells Hawaiian-style clothes, food and coffee, has drawn considerable foot traffic since its opening, Cipolla said. Although this is the chain’s first shop on the mainland, many local customers are familiar with the store, he said, having visited one of the six Hilo Hatties scattered across the Hawaiian Islands.

Employees try to catch customers as they enter to slip a shell lei around their necks, Cipolla said. So far, the store has given away “thousands and thousands” of leis, he said.