Don Quijote Co. is close to purchasing Marukai

Japan-based Don Quijote Co. is in talks to buy Marukai Corp. USA as a way to expand its footprint in the United States.

The stock-purchase deal would have Don Quijote become the owner of 100 percent of the stock in Marukai, according to a notice to investors by Don Quijote dated July 26.

Marukai has 11 stores in California and Hawaii.

Both Don Quijote and Marukai are best known for their selection of Asian grocery items, especially their Japanese selections.

"It’s not a done deal," Marukai Operations Manager Wes Oshima told the Star-Advertiser Wednesday, but it is scheduled to be finalized Sept. 30, he said.

The officers of Marukai "are confident" that Don Quijote will continue the membership store’s operations, "and we have told our employees that," Oshima said.

On Oahu, Marukai’s members-only stores include a Wholesale Mart on Kamehameha Highway, and Marukai Market Place on Auahi Street, and formerly included several 99 Super Stores in various communities that were open to nonmembers, among other retail concepts.

The 99 Super Stores started out as stores wherein all the merchandise cost 99 cents.

Don Quijote has stores in Honolulu, Pearl City and Waipahu, and closed its Kailua location to make way for a Target store that has yet to be built.

Don Quijote entered the U.S. market in 2006 with its purchase of four stores from The Daiei (USA) Inc. and turned a profit in 2007, which has grown since, according to the investor notice.