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Business Briefs


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POSTED: Friday, May 22, 2009

INTO reinventing itself as Slip Inn

Honolulu Chinatown's INTO boutique is holding a closeout sale, offering items from 25 to 40 percent off until June 30.

Owner Alan Carrell plans to close the doors to his home accessories and gift boutique at 40 N. Hotel St. at the end of June. He hopes to reopen in August as a sophisticated lounge called Slip Inn.

Carrell says Slip Inn will offer breakfast and lunch between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m., then transform into a sophisticated cocktail lounge in the evenings.

“;It's going to be very Hawaiiana,”; said Carrell. “;I'm moving my entire living room into the space.”;

Carrell says he's hoping to obtain a liquor license by the end of August, and says Slip Inn will offer old-school Hawaiian cocktails and softer music for a more mature crowd, accommodating up to 50 people.

Slip Inn will still offer small items like greeting cards, sunglasses, shoulder bags, French soaps and candles during the daytime.

Isle TV station owner files Chapter 11

Florida-based Ion Media Networks Inc. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection this week, saying it had reached agreement with a group of debt holders to exchange its debt to them for equity in the company.

Ion owns 59 television stations, including KPXO-TV Channel 66, which is carried locally on cable and satellite systems.

Ion listed liabilities of more than $1 billion and assets of up to $10 million in its Tuesday filing in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Manhattan, N.Y.

State Labor Dept. to receive $10.2M

The state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations said yesterday it will receive nearly $10.2 million in modernization incentive funds under the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

States qualify for a chunk of the $7 billion payments by demonstrating that their laws include provisions that broaden eligibility for benefits. The funds will be used to improve the unemployment programs and bolster the balance of the unemployment fund.

Clothing retailer opens at Ala Moana

Aeropostale, a casual apparel retailer catering to teens, is opening a new store today at Ala Moana Center and will open another store next Friday at Kaneohe's Windward Mall.

“;We are excited to open our first stores in Hawaii,”; said Tom Johnson, Aeropostale's executive vice president and chief operating officer. “;We look forward to being part of the community and delivering great clothes at great prices.”;

The company operates more than 900 stores in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.

Island Air offers 3-day fare sale

Island Air began a three-day sale yesterday offering reduced fares.

The sale, valid for travel from today through June 30, offers $48 one-way fares on select routes and $54 one-way fares on all other routes, including connecting and stopover flights. Restrictions apply and seats are limited.