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  • Wisteria, K.C. Drive Inn & Mini Garden Closing!

    Just found out that Wisteria and K.C. Drive INN will be closing for good. Two of my favorite places to eat out. Mini Garden on the corner of Hotel Street and Smith Street will be closing but will be opening up somewhere else, site still unknown. Our family restaurant was also closed three months ago after years in business too. Local establishments closing left and right. Reason, it costs to much to stay in business. Sewer,Grease trap,Health Dept. certifications and fees, fees for everything and anything. Then theres the rent,utilities,rubbish, etc. etc. I was sad that we had to close and upset at my mom for selling the business. Today, I am happy and understand the reasons why. The money made from the sale paid all the outstanding bills and then some. We don't worry about other things, only on ourselves and our family. Yes, I know why local restaurants are closing firsthand! Sure gonna miss that Pork Tofu from Wisteria and the Waffle Hot Dogs from K.C. Drive Inn.

    1stwahine
    Be AKAMAI ~ KOKUA Hawai`i!
    Philippians 4:13 --- I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

  • #2
    Re: WISTERIA,K.C.DRIVE INN & MINI GARDEN CLOSING!

    Originally posted by 1stwahine
    Just found out that Wisteria and K.C. Drive INN will be closing for good.

    Our family restaurant was also closed three months ago 1stwahine

    If true, so sad! too often we see the demise of what once spelled Hawaii for us. Too soon, our island will resemble the mainland and more's the pity.


    (btw; what was your restaurant?)

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: WISTERIA,K.C.DRIVE INN & MINI GARDEN CLOSING!

      Originally posted by kimo55
      If true, so sad! too often we see the demise of what once spelled Hawaii for us. Too soon, our island will resemble the mainland and more's the pity.


      (btw; what was your restaurant?)
      Aloha Kimo! Our restaurant was Benny's Restaurant where Robert Caz came daily to eat! I make the best Fried Chicken,Beef Stew and Chop Steak. KHON2 Malolo Morales featured our restaurant when my kids were in Iraq.

      1stwahine
      Be AKAMAI ~ KOKUA Hawai`i!
      Philippians 4:13 --- I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: WISTERIA,K.C.DRIVE INN & MINI GARDEN CLOSING!

        It is sad that a lot of the little local places are being forced to close down. Institutions like the Wisteria and KC Drive Inn and Benny's can't be replaced by the chains that are so pervasive everywhere. Just another sign of the "WM'ing" of Honolulu! Pretty soon the only good grinds you're going to be able to find is the food you cook for yourself at home.

        Miulang
        "Americans believe in three freedoms. Freedom of speech; freedom of religion; and the freedom to deny the other two to folks they don`t like.” --Mark Twain

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        • #5
          Re: WISTERIA,K.C.DRIVE INN & MINI GARDEN CLOSING!

          Originally posted by Miulang
          It is sad that a lot of the little local places are being forced to close down. Institutions like the Wisteria and KC Drive Inn and Benny's can't be replaced by the chains that are so pervasive everywhere. Just another sign of the "WM'ing" of Honolulu! Pretty soon the only good grinds you're going to be able to find is the food you cook for yourself at home.

          Miulang

          It's another sign, also that Hawaii is the most anti small business state in amerika.

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: WISTERIA,K.C.DRIVE INN & MINI GARDEN CLOSING!

            Originally posted by kimo55
            It's another sign, also that Hawaii is the most anti small business state in amerika.
            We all lament about the passing of many small eateries and local establishments yet every year the same tired old "tax and spend" liberals get voted into the legislature. The 40 year stranglehold of the Democrats are to blame in part for the high taxes, overregulation and eventual closure of many of these places. Small businesses simply cannot keep up with the ever draining expenses that Hawaii's burdensome business climate has put upon the businesses in this state.

            We had our chance to change this in November. But what happened? All the liberals came out and voted more "tax and spend" Democrats back into the legislature. This is definitely not a way to create a more business friendly state, because mark my words, these liberals are going to propose even more regulations and tax increases this coming session.

            I'm still here. Are you?

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            • #7
              Re: Wisteria, K.C. Drive Inn & Mini Garden Closing!

              Oh, I don't know. I kinda like knowing that the dishwater isn't recycled into the water glasses, and the grease traps are cleaned so there aren't rat colonies in the kitchen.
              http://www.linkmeister.com/wordpress/

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              • #8
                Re: Wisteria, K.C. Drive Inn & Mini Garden Closing!

                I miss the good ol' days as much as anyone, but c'mon, it ain't always the mean guv'ment and those damn liberals. Hell, in most of the recent "old time place closing" stories I can recall, the reason is simple and perfectly understandable: the "old time" owners want to retire, and no one in their family can or wants to take over.

                Wisteria, the old Columbia Inn, Kelly's Coffee Shop (I think), Arakawa's General Store... they weren't "put" out of business. Their founders also wanted some well-earned rest, and the money from the sale of the property (if not the business) was the icing on the cake.

                Heck, half the charm of places like these are the people behind them. Even if the name lived on under new management, who knows if it would've been the same? Fact is, most of the folks in subsequent generations are pursuing opportunities and fields that weren't available to their entrepreneurial, life-by-the-seat-of-their-pants parents.

                They worked hard at running the family restaurant, with nary a day off, to send their kids to college and have a better life... so it's not entirely a tragedy that their kids don't plan to stick around and work the fryers when they finally retire.

                I like Wisteria, and it's my daughter's favorite restaurant in town. Despite the funky smell from the meeting rooms and the occasional scurryiing bug, it had a warmth and charm that you can't buy. I'll miss it, and will definitely make a last trip there before they're gone for good.

                By the way, I think Mini Garden in Chinatown is moving down to S. King Street in Moiliili, near where Jimbo's and the old King's Bakery are located.

                Comment


                • #9
                  Re: Wisteria, K.C. Drive Inn & Mini Garden Closing!

                  A place that I enjoyed eating and drinking has been gone for sometime now. That was the PCT, Pearl City Tavern. Good food and a nice bar as well. By the way, I was told that Jimmey Bufffet is opening a Maragarita Bar in Waikiki. Hope so. The Cheeseburger Waikiki in the old Sizzler location looks nice and when I go by on The Bus it is always full. This surprises me, because I thought the location was poor.
                  Last edited by sheik yerfani; December 18, 2004, 02:43 PM. Reason: addition

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Re: Wisteria, K.C. Drive Inn & Mini Garden Closing!

                    Benny's may be closed but I'm still cooking as ever. This morning I donated a Roast Turkey to my church who will be feeding the Elderly and Disabled in Ewa. Right now I'm eating Kalua Pig and Cabbage,Loco(not Moco), and Chicken Longrice w/Shitake Mushrooms. On the stove I'm boiling ham hocks for Port.Bean Soup! Yeah, it might be only my 80 yr. old MAMA,my other half and me...but we have a lot of former customers,friends and family that seems to come buy just to see whats cooking and kaukau for FREE theses days! We are truly blessed!

                    Dear Linkmeister, We didn't have any qualms about keeping the place up-to-standards. Infact, I'm a fanatic when it comes to cleaniness. I was referring to the fees upon fees for everything and anything. I would have loved continuing the business but now I enjoy the non hectic daily schedule that we have. Plus the fact that ill health has taken over.Happy Holidays to you and your family!GOD BLESS AMERICA!

                    1stwahine!
                    Last edited by 1stwahine; December 18, 2004, 05:45 PM. Reason: in response to Linkmeister's comment
                    Be AKAMAI ~ KOKUA Hawai`i!
                    Philippians 4:13 --- I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Re: Wisteria, K.C. Drive Inn & Mini Garden Closing!

                      Originally posted by pzarquon
                      I miss the good ol' days as much as anyone, but c'mon, it ain't always the mean guv'ment and those damn liberals. Hell, in most of the recent "old time place closing" stories I can recall, the reason is simple and perfectly understandable: the "old time" owners want to retire, and no one in their family can or wants to take over.
                      While most of these places did close because the owners retired, wanted to sell, had no one younger to take over the business, in the overall scheme of things the cost of doing business has escalated very much over the years and decades that some of these businesses have been around.

                      A lot of these businesses and many more (90% of Hawaii is small business) have had to put up with general excise taxes, transient accomodations taxes, escalating unemployment and workers comp costs, numerous fees and licenses required by government, and a whole lot more. The mandatory prepaid health plan requirement placed upon all employers and businesses is a major cost to doing business in Hawaii. We are the only state in the union that has such a socialistic law. It is supposed to be a benefit, not a right. This costs businesses money.

                      Now we have the beverage recycling tax and in this coming session the threat of a county sales tax looms large on the horizon.

                      Hawaii is still not a good place to do business. A reversal in tax and regulation policy/laws will be a positive sign that Hawaii is ready to be a good place to do business. Otherwise our well deserved, ill-begotten reputation as a bad place to do business will continue.
                      Last edited by mel; December 19, 2004, 03:19 AM. Reason: fix typos
                      I'm still here. Are you?

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Re: Wisteria, K.C. Drive Inn & Mini Garden Closing!

                        Originally posted by mel
                        Hawaii is still not a good place to do business. A reversal in tax and regulation policy/laws will be a positive sign that Hawaii is ready to be a good place to do business. Otherwise our well deserved, ill-begotten reputation as a bad place to do business will continue.
                        Aloha Mel! EXACTO MUNDO BRADDAH! You said it!

                        1stwahine
                        Be AKAMAI ~ KOKUA Hawai`i!
                        Philippians 4:13 --- I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Re: Wisteria, K.C. Drive Inn & Mini Garden Closing!

                          applause!!!
                          Life is what you make of it...so please read the instructions carefully.

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Re: Wisteria, K.C. Drive Inn & Mini Garden Closing!

                            Originally posted by Linkmeister
                            I like knowing the dishwater isn't recycled into the water glasses, and the grease traps are cleaned so there aren't rat colonies in the kitchen.


                            make no mistake.
                            small one-off restaurants have no monopoly on this.
                            this kinda junk will and does happen with national coroporate chain eateries as much as with local shops.

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Re: Wisteria, K.C. Drive Inn & Mini Garden Closing!

                              Originally posted by mel
                              While most of these places did close because the owners retired, wanted to sell, had no one younger to take over the business, in the overall scheme of things the cost of doing business has escalated very much over the years and decades that some of these businesses have been around.


                              Went into the Wisteria yesterday to get a little video footage of the last day. before the wrecking ball decimates it and another 35 story condo building blocks out more of our view of the mtns and sky...

                              Grabbed a few souvenirs... mementos. Imagine; they were using the same cool paper placemats they bought from a company in 1966.

                              talked with a few employees:
                              Why you guys closing down?

                              three things:
                              The rising cost of doing business in Hawaii.
                              The downturn of business. It got too slow to continue.
                              Owner wants to retire.

                              Now, my perspective is, IF... this island were not being over-run to such a degree by mainland/multinational corporate chain restaurants and fast food joints,
                              AND... if the overtaxing and over regulation of businesses, and high expense and anti small business sentiment the city and state have here... were NOT in place...
                              maybe, just possibly, the owners would have delayed the retirement, and also, others would have seen it a more conducive setting to continue the Wisteria tradition...

                              Comment

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