TheBuzz
TheBuzz
Y. Hata & Co. Ltd. is making a retail splash, after 79 years of mostly wholesale and distribution operations. The why of Y.
Hata’s new retailThe company is advertising on KSSK radio in "live" commercials read by top-rated morning icons Michael W. Perry and Larry Price.
Y. Hata President and CEO Laurence Vogel said the company's focus is on "how we can be totally innovative."
Its year-long ad campaign will cross-promote both "our best customers by giving away dinners at their restaurants," and "the absolutely fabulous products we're selling," through a marketing program with vendors.
"The third major benefit," he said, is "that our employees now feel that they're part of a well-known company and that helps in recruitment."
Incorporated in 1922, Y. Hata may be most familiar to the public for its ubiquitous white delivery trucks with dark red lettering.
"Now we're letting the world know who these beautiful trucks belong to," Vogel said.
The business has always had a small retail component, but Vogel said "It is now going to be an ever-increasing part," in a completely renovated retail store. Retail space at 285 Sand Island Access Road has been doubled, and includes Mid-City Restaurant Supply, also owned by Y. Hata.
It is open to the public from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday, and from 7 to noon on Saturdays, and Vogel said while bulk items are available, "much of the equipment and supplies are the stuff that work just as well in your kitchen as a chef's kitchen," Vogel said.
Prices are "highly competitive," he said, where the public will pay the same as Hawaii's most noteworthy chefs.
Some of those chefs' secrets may also be revealed by Y. Hata's "prepared foods," such as a turkey filet mignon.
"It's white meat turkey wrapped in bacon. You flip it into a frying pan or put it in the broiler and have an incredible dinner or a burger-sized treat," Vogel said.
KSSK Account Executive Donna Eberhardt said along with fresh foods and produce, the retail store carries frozen seafood, beef and canned goods, while the restaurant supply side carries platters, china, blenders and more.
Erika Engle is a reporter with the Star-Bulletin.
Call 529-4302, fax 529-4750 or write to Erika Engle,
Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., No. 7-210,
Honolulu, HI 96813. She can also be reached
at: eengle@starbulletin.com