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Collectible stores offer something rare and unique for everyone
  
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By Coco Zickos - The Garden Island
Walking into the Tin Can Mailman in Wailua or Collectibles & Fine Junque in Waimea can make one feel as if time has been standing still. Antique, authentic products, with a slice of history locked away inside each item, fill every nook and cranny.
As corporations continue to entice customers with inexpensive, mass-produced items from overseas that people crave during hard economic times, it is apparent that vintage Hawaiiana and unique collectibles are becoming a fading commodity.
“At this time in Hawai‘i, it’s really important that people buy local to keep the small businesses alive,” said Christopher Oswalt of Tin Can Mailman. “In Hawai‘i, especially Kaua‘i, a lot of things are outsourced, and we’re not really a self-sustaining island anymore.”
He hopes that more individuals will re-consider shopping for unique products at local businesses like his or Collectibles & Fine Junque, rather than purchasing merchandise at larger stores, where profits are typically sent to corporate headquarters instead of filtering back into the community.
“Chances are, if you buy a piece of jewelry here, you’re not going to find another one like it,” said Raul Sanchez, the “jack-of-all-trades” for Tin Can Mailman.
Sanchez especially touts the store’s Hawaiiana collection, which includes rare, out-of-print books and hard to find items that were created on the islands long before airlines even had a chance to make their presence.
“We try to emphasize the history of Hawai‘i, the history of the people, the monarchy, as well as the landscape before it got so commercialized,” said Oswalt. “The out-of-print books, vintage postcards, it’s all a glimpse back into time.”
Rose Schweitzer of Collectibles & Fine Junque also has exclusive Hawaiiana paraphernalia in her store, including a collection of aloha shirts which she said customers have been exceptionally fond of over the 26 years her business has been open.
After perusing yard and rummage sales across the island for almost three decades, Schweitzer, along with her business partner Dorris Hanson, are “winding down” and “practicing retirement.” The store is only open four days a week, which leaves less time for finding one person’s trash and turning it into a personal treasure.
“We planned on this even when business was booming,” she said.
While sales are not quite as they used to be, she believes that because her store offers a multitude of baubles and everyday items at low prices, business has not dropped as substantially as it has for others.
“One of the fun parts of collectibles is the hunt and it means so much more when it’s at a reasonable price,” she said, adding that her store is ideal for those on a budget, especially since they are having a storewide sale event.
Donna Frazier, a visitor from Louisville, Ky., who was browsing for items at Collectibles & Fine Junque, agreed that people are being more responsible with their money and are preferring to purchase recycled goods.
“It’s so much more fun buying things with a little more history,” she added.
To “help stay afloat,” Tin Can Mailman is also tempting customers affected by the recession into its store by presenting an assortment of discounted products.
“We’re fluctuating with the crisis,” Oswalt said. “Typically antique, collectible stores don’t put things on sale, but lots of things are on sale right now ... to try and encourage more local business.”
Even though Schweitzer looks forward to retiring, she already knows how much she will miss her established local business and the one-of-a-kind island souvenirs that somehow always “find their way back” to the islands.
“It’s been fun, but it’s time to let go,” she said. “We’ve met wonderful people and made some great friends.”
Collectibles & Fine Junque is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Thursday. For more information call 338-9855.
For more information on Tin Can Mailman call 822-3009 or visit www.tincanmailman.net
• Coco Zickos, business writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 251) or czickos@kauaipubco.com
As corporations continue to entice customers with inexpensive, mass-produced items from overseas that people crave during hard economic times, it is apparent that vintage Hawaiiana and unique collectibles are becoming a fading commodity.
“At this time in Hawai‘i, it’s really important that people buy local to keep the small businesses alive,” said Christopher Oswalt of Tin Can Mailman. “In Hawai‘i, especially Kaua‘i, a lot of things are outsourced, and we’re not really a self-sustaining island anymore.”
He hopes that more individuals will re-consider shopping for unique products at local businesses like his or Collectibles & Fine Junque, rather than purchasing merchandise at larger stores, where profits are typically sent to corporate headquarters instead of filtering back into the community.
“Chances are, if you buy a piece of jewelry here, you’re not going to find another one like it,” said Raul Sanchez, the “jack-of-all-trades” for Tin Can Mailman.
Sanchez especially touts the store’s Hawaiiana collection, which includes rare, out-of-print books and hard to find items that were created on the islands long before airlines even had a chance to make their presence.
“We try to emphasize the history of Hawai‘i, the history of the people, the monarchy, as well as the landscape before it got so commercialized,” said Oswalt. “The out-of-print books, vintage postcards, it’s all a glimpse back into time.”
Rose Schweitzer of Collectibles & Fine Junque also has exclusive Hawaiiana paraphernalia in her store, including a collection of aloha shirts which she said customers have been exceptionally fond of over the 26 years her business has been open.
After perusing yard and rummage sales across the island for almost three decades, Schweitzer, along with her business partner Dorris Hanson, are “winding down” and “practicing retirement.” The store is only open four days a week, which leaves less time for finding one person’s trash and turning it into a personal treasure.
“We planned on this even when business was booming,” she said.
While sales are not quite as they used to be, she believes that because her store offers a multitude of baubles and everyday items at low prices, business has not dropped as substantially as it has for others.
“One of the fun parts of collectibles is the hunt and it means so much more when it’s at a reasonable price,” she said, adding that her store is ideal for those on a budget, especially since they are having a storewide sale event.
Donna Frazier, a visitor from Louisville, Ky., who was browsing for items at Collectibles & Fine Junque, agreed that people are being more responsible with their money and are preferring to purchase recycled goods.
“It’s so much more fun buying things with a little more history,” she added.
To “help stay afloat,” Tin Can Mailman is also tempting customers affected by the recession into its store by presenting an assortment of discounted products.
“We’re fluctuating with the crisis,” Oswalt said. “Typically antique, collectible stores don’t put things on sale, but lots of things are on sale right now ... to try and encourage more local business.”
Even though Schweitzer looks forward to retiring, she already knows how much she will miss her established local business and the one-of-a-kind island souvenirs that somehow always “find their way back” to the islands.
“It’s been fun, but it’s time to let go,” she said. “We’ve met wonderful people and made some great friends.”
Collectibles & Fine Junque is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Thursday. For more information call 338-9855.
For more information on Tin Can Mailman call 822-3009 or visit www.tincanmailman.net
• Coco Zickos, business writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 251) or czickos@kauaipubco.com
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| KCC food seminar starts Thursday |
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