Holoholo: Private detective revives historic Ewa Beach mom-and-pop shop

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – A beloved Ewa Beach landmark has officially returned to the community.

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Reopened by a local private investigator, the new Lloyd’s Silva Store is blending classic nostalgia with a unique lineup of professional services.

Formerly called Silva’s Grocery & Liquor, the store is tucked away in a neighborhood along Ewa Beach Road and was founded by Joseph Silva in 1946.

“My vision for Lloyd’s Silva Store is to make this a community hub, to get kids in here laughing, playing, hanging out, a safe space to where we don’t gotta worry about bullying,” Jim “Jimbo” Lloyd said.

While it initially sold liquor, it went on to serve as a vital community hub for nearly eight decades before closing its doors a few years ago.

“I mean, I used to gather food stamps and pennies to come over here and buy the Hostess apple pie with me and my friends,” Lloyd said.

Ewa Beach resident Candy Lozano grew up going to the store during the 1970s.

“We came in pretty much every day because we used to trade in our found bottles, our Coke bottles,” Lozano said. “So they used to trade them in and you could get $0.10 and $0.25 for the bigger ones and you could buy half the store.”

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Lloyd was determined to revive the beloved mom and pop shop.

“Something’s burning in me that says I don’t want this place to die,” Lloyd said. “I’ve lost so many of my childhood places. Like, I used to go to Ono Hawaiian Food in Kapahulu, and that was, oh, that place was my favorite Hawaiian food, and they died. They never came back.”

In June, Lloyd leased the property from the Silva Family who still owns the land.

He hosted grand opening on Aug. 28, his 53rd birthday.

As the Lloyd family gets settled, the inventory is growing. The shop currently stocks ice, dollar shave ice, coffee, and kendamas.

“I don’t have video games in here. I have a foosball table, hand-eye coordination. I have kendamas because our kids get enough screen time. I want them to come in here, learn life lessons, and bring their children here 20 years from now when we’re doing our 100 year anniversary,” Lloyd said.

In a unique twist reflecting Lloyd’s profession, the store is also offering private detective and notary services.

They’re actively welcoming local vendors to showcase their goods.

Hawaii News Now is looking for the community’s hidden gems, special places, and interesting local figures. Story ideas can be sent to [email protected].

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