Clothing retailer Big & Tall closing after 80 years
The last store in a local clothing business that has operated for 80 years in the islands will close this weekend.
Big &Tall by Kramer’s in Kakaako is selling off its remaining inventory at clearance prices today and Saturday and its operational equipment, such as clothing racks, retail shelving and commercial sewing machines, in an online auction at bid.oahuauctions.com. The store, which specializes in larger clothing sizes, is at 250 Ward Ave.
“We have a full inventory now but hope to clear everything off the retail floor this weekend since we’re facing a deadline for vacating the space,” said Alicia Brandt, owner of Oahu Auctions, which is conducting the auction. “While we’re conducting the sale, an online auction will be taking place in the background for nonretail items.”
The sale will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today with a 40% discount and continue Saturday with a 50% discount. Any leftover items will be auctioned off at a later date.
The parent company, Kramer Corp., filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy earlier this month in Honolulu.
The business was founded by Samuel Kramer, who started the first Kramer’s men’s apparel store in downtown Honolulu in 1939.
He expanded his business to six stores in Hawaii, including one at Ala Moana Center, but the last remaining store moved to Kakaako in 1997.
The company has up to $50,000 in estimated assets and liabilities ranging from $50,001 to $100,000, according to its bankruptcy filings.
The company has fewer than 50 creditors. Ward Court Development, Pacific Business Capital Corp. and Mr. Hawaii Inc. are listed among the company’s largest unsecured creditors.