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Kahala Mall General Manager Ron Yoda has the future in mind when it comes to what should occupy the 25,000 square feet of retail space now occupied by Star Market.
It's a future with a new generation of supermarkets - with better services and products than big-box retailers can offer.
That's why when Star Market approached him to extend its lease before doing some major renovations, Yoda said he wanted to look at some alternatives.
He's not ruling out Star Market, which is spending up to $2 million to upgrade all of its supermarkets, starting with the one in Moiliili. He just wants to consider all of his options.
Star Market's lease at Kahala Mall expires in March 2007.
Foodland and Safeway have approached him, as well as someone representing Whole Foods Market, a Texas-based retailer.
The mall contacted Wal-Mart Corp. about its neighborhood grocery concept, but was informed that it wasn't ready to bring that part of its business to Hawaii.
Hawaii's supermarkets are trying to find a new niche for themselves now that big-box chains like Costeo and Sam's Club also are offering groceries - in bulk and at lower prices, Yoda said.
The size of the building occupied...