Liberty House shuts
Star-Bulletin staff
Molokai shopLiberty House will close its little shop at the Kaluakoi Resort next month after 20 years of business. But the company plans to keep a presence on the Friendly Isle.
Reacting to community concern about the May 16 closing, Liberty House will set up a "personal shopping" service on the island. Customers will be able to contact a shopping agent to place orders for items seen in advertisements or catalogs.
Liberty House already has personal shopping services at its Ala Moana Store and plans to add the service to stores downtown, in Kailua, Kona and Hilo.
Barbara Tunno, vice president of marketing at Liberty House, said the store's longtime manager will be kept on to take orders from her home. "We're happy to maintain a presence on Molokai, even though it won't be a physical one," she said.
Liberty House, which last month filed for Chapter 11 reorganization bankruptcy, has started the process of closing 11 resort and specialty stores, including the Kaluakoi shop.
Company officials say the action will allow the company to concentrate on more profitable locations.
The company said it has no plans for other closings.
A total of 99 employees are affected by the 11 closings, some to be offered positions at other stores, company officials say.
