The 63-year-old proprietor of Masu's Massive Plate Lunch is retiring early because the property on which the little shop operates has just been sold (he was planning to retire when he turned 65) and he didn't want to relocate the business.
Masu's will close Feb. 28 after 33 years, marking the end for another small kama'aina family business — one started by Paul Masuoka and his late mother, Yoshiko.
Finance Factors recently bought the building at 1808 Liliha St. occupied by Masu's and needed the space, according to Masuoka, who said he decided against reopening elsewhere.
"We had a really, really good run," he said. "I have the right to retire."
Masuoka, who will be 63 next month, said he had planned to run the business until his 65th birthday, but the move by Finance Factors created a good reason to retire sooner.
"I am just plain tired," he said. "It's really hard for just one person to do this kind of work. My mother worked till she was 87. No way would I work that long."
Finance Factors recently bought the building at 1808 Liliha St. occupied by Masu's and needed the space, according to Masuoka, who said he decided against reopening elsewhere.
"We had a really, really good run," he said. "I have the right to retire."
Masuoka, who will be 63 next month, said he had planned to run the business until his 65th birthday, but the move by Finance Factors created a good reason to retire sooner.
"I am just plain tired," he said. "It's really hard for just one person to do this kind of work. My mother worked till she was 87. No way would I work that long."
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