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JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO@STARADVERTISER.COM
Concerns over the closing of the Foodland at Koko Marina has the community asking what happened. The supermarket has been in Hawaii Kai for nearly 50 years. Walgreens plans to occupy the space.
Foodland Super Market Ltd. will close its Ala Moana Center store on Dec. 13 after 55 years, citing higher rents.
Officials at Hawaii’s oldest grocery retailer said they decided not to renew its lease at Ala Moana, the state’s largest shopping center.
All 66 store employees will be offered positions at other Foodland locations on Oahu, the company said.
“Our company has operated a store at Ala Moana since statehood so the decision to leave the center after all these years was not an easy one, especially because of the impact the closing will have on our loyal employees and customers,” Jenai Wall, Foodland chairwoman and chief executive officer, said in a statement. “Yet, while it truly saddens us to say ‘goodbye’ to Ala Moana, the challenges and costs of operating a store in this location today made it impossible for us to justify staying.”
Foodland opened the Ala Moana store in August 1959.
