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Johnny Was opens in Shops at Wailea

The Shops at Wailea on Friday recently welcomed the addition of California-based women’s fashion lifestyle brand Johnny Was.

The brand’s first South Maui store opening, in a 2,000-square-foot space on The Shops’ upper level, features a collection of silk, linen and cotton fashions, along with a full swimwear collection, a Tuesday news release said.

A grand opening celebration held Friday included a Hawaiian blessing for store employees. The store opened to the public at 10 a.m. with free snacks, refreshments and a store discount.

For information on the brand, visit www.johnnywas.com; for details on The Shops see www.theshopsatwailea.com.

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Real estate firm earns top state nod

Commercial Properties of Maui LLC was ranked by Pacific Business News as one of the leading commercial real estate firms in the state, according to a Jan. 23 news release.

Commercial Properties of Maui, founded in 1995 by partners Grant Howe, Ben Walin and Greg Sheehan, has seven full-time leasing agents. Each partner has more than 30 years of experience in commercial real estate in Hawaii.

“We are grateful to our family, friends and community for all the support over the past 25 years,” Sheehan said in the release.

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Metal photo print shop comes to Wharf

Maui Metal Custom Prints opened recently in a midlevel space at The Wharf Cinema Center in Lahaina.

In less than an hour, the company prints photos on metal, using high-quality aluminum, and can use images from a cellphone, digital camera or GoPro. Also, mini photo sessions are offered by appointment, a Jan. 14 news release said.

With a soft launch in December, the grand opening was held Jan. 18.

The center is located at 658 Front St., Lahaina. Maui Metal Custom Prints can be found in space No. 153.

For information, call the center at 661-8748.

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Staffing company celebrates remodel

The Maui branch of industrial staffing company PeopleReady expanded with the grand opening of its newly remodeled facility at 325 Hukilike St., Suite 1, Kahului, on Friday.

PeopleReady specializes in connecting companies with on-demand labor for a wide range of industries, according to a Friday news release.

The Maui branch, along with the Maui Chamber of Commerce, marked the reopening with a celebration featuring guest speakers, a Hawaiian blessing, lunch and gift drawings.

For information, visit www.peopleready.com.

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Maui cookies earn spot on Disney ships

The Maui Cookie Lady owner Mitzi Toro will be creating an exclusive cookie featuring the Disney colors of black, yellow and red that will be featured on Disney Cruise Line ships coming to Hawaii this summer.

Toro received an official “Disney Vendor Pin,” a difficult feat for small businesses. It required a year of discussions and qualifications, including a Disney site audit of her Makawao manufacturing facility, according to a Jan. 31 news release.

Kahului Port calls for the Disney Cruise Line to begin in May.

“We are beyond honored and excited for our entry into the Disney market featuring our delicious made-on-Maui cookies that showcase a Maui-made product to a new customer base,” Toro said in the release.

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South Maui eatery expands westward

Popular South Maui eatery Kihei Caffe is opening a West Maui spot at Lahaina Gateway this spring.

The restaurant, which opened in 1998, will expand with its new location, which will be housed in 4,374-square-foot space at the corner of Honoapiilani Highway and Keawe Street, according to a Wednesday news release.

Loco moco, pork fried rice, banana macadamia nut pancakes, prime steak burgers and other originals will be on the Lahaina menu. The menu will add dinner entrees, beverage service and new items.

For information on Lahaina Gateway, visit www.lahainagateway.com.

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Island Essence celebrates 30 years

Island Essence, locally owned and manufactured bath and body care products, recently marked its 30th anniversary, an announcement said.

Every Island Essence product is blended, poured and packaged by hand in a Kahului warehouse that employs 18 staff and independent contractors, a Jan. 27 news release said.

Founded in 1990 by Denise Diamond, the company was purchased in 2008 by Henry Brocklehurst, who maintains the commitment to island manufacturing and sourcing local ingredients, the release said.

For information, visit www.islandessence.com.

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South Maui nursery gets on-site sales

A new ordinance allows South Maui Gardens in Kihei to sell its plants and flowers on-site.

Bill 81, led by Council Member Kelly King, passed final reading at the Jan. 10 council meeting and took effect as an ordinance changing the zoning from residential to community business. It allows the nursery to conduct for the first time retail transactions on the Auhana Road site, a Jan. 24 news release said.

The nursery supplies plants to Kahului Airport, local landscapers, hotels, shopping centers, small businesses and homeowners.

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Thai fusion cuisine offered in Kahului

Aloha Thai Fusion, which offers a fusion of Hawaiian and Thai food, opened Sunday at Hana Highway and Dairy Road, next to the former Savers location.

The grand opening celebration included free music, giveaways and food samples, according to a Wednesday news release.

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Duffy’s announces new operating hours

Duffy’s Vehicle Inspection will be open Tuesday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., effective Feb. 1, an announcement said.

The vehicle inspection location is at 256-B Papalaua St., Lahaina.

Drive in or call (808) 661-3031 to schedule an appointment.

* Local Business in Brief is published on the second Monday of the month and welcomes news releases and announcements regarding businesses in Maui County. To submit material or for more information, contact citydesk@mauinews.com or (808) 242-6343.

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