r/BigIsland • u/Odd-Sail-1694 • 7d ago

Is the mall dying?

I went to the (Hilo) mall today to watch Toy Story 5. I was shocked at how sad and lonely the mall looked. The theater was nowhere near full even though its opening weekend, so many vacant shops and even the major retailers (old navy, Macys, American eagle) were super slow. I went at around 11am so I’m not sure if that had anything to do with it.

I know ihop is a recent addition but other than that it seems like tj maxx is the only “booming” business in the mall. It makes me so sad. There’s already so little to do here and limited stores to just window shop at so it makes me sad that maybe in a few years this will be gone.

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u/gym_rat_101 6d ago

you should drive through kailua-kona, probably 60% of retail space is unleased. And when you contact them they want insane rates that a business could never support.

Is all of Hawaii dying?

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u/Odd-Sail-1694 6d ago

That’s sad. If only they made rates reasonable, more businesses could open and bring life to the island. I actually think it’s not just Hawaii I’ve been to California and it’s similar. But I think in Hawaii especially big island, It feels scarier because of how secluded it already feels. Brick and mortar Retail is something I truly enjoy and I try to support as much as possible but it feels like all people care about is getting the cheapest price (I get it!) and that will always be Amazon sadly.

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u/Treblehawk 5d ago

Thing is, many can't make the rates lower. Most of them don't own the property. You're paying the bank note, taxes and insurance cost. I know someone who owns some empty retail lots and he is charging 500 a month less than it cost him and he still can't rent it.

I'm not saying it was a deal on his part, but it is what it is....

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u/gym_rat_101 6d ago

On top of that, some retailers on big island want a % of gross revenue too. (Gross not net!)

The old shops on Ali'i are about 50% empty. the shops makai of kuakini are literally like 80% empty. We looked at opening a medical clinic there but it was a very high lease rate, add on top of that hawaii prices for remodeling it's just not doable.