Taj Clubhouse closing at Ward Centre after 50 years in business

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – It’s the last week for the few remaining shops at Ward Center as the property makes way for new development.

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Among those saying goodbye is Taj Clubhouse, an original Hawaiʻi store that has been in business for 50 years.

“I’m really, really sad,” said Venancia Mun, a Pearl City resident.

Taj Clubhouse is known for hand-drawn, locally inspired characters — including its signature musubi bears and bunnies — as well as stamps, hand-sewn quilts and bright-colored T-shirts for keiki and adults.

Taj stands for Tiki and Jackie. The two sisters started the business in 1976.

“They used to do craft fairs first,” said Karen Ikoma, a Waipahu resident. “I’ve been coming to buy the T-shirts. I’m a longtime customer.”

“You don’t have too many Hawaiʻi-made designs and T-shirts and stuff like that, and their designs are so cute,” Ikoma said.

Related post: ‘Heartbroken’: Ward Centre prepares to close after more than four decades

The store is offering 40% off the entire store and 50% off all aloha wear. Shoppers grabbed what they could during the final week, before the small, family-owned and operated store closes for good.

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“It’s kinda sad,” said Peter Biehl, a Honolulu resident. “I grew up here and Ward Warehouse closed and now Ward Centre is closing, and a lot of changes in this neighborhood.”

It’s one last chance for everyone who grew up with Taj Clubhouse to share the unique Hawaiʻi-inspired designs with the next generation.

“I’ve been coming to them for years. My son now is almost 40 so I’m picking up things for his son,” Mun said. “Come out and support local, because they’re not going to be here for very long.”

“These are for my great grand nieces and grand nephews,” said Wahiawa resident Rena Shigematsu, holding a stack of baby clothes.

“They will be missed, but we hope maybe they come back,” she added.

Once the store closes, the owners said only limited items will be sold online at tajclubhousecom.

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