Work And Play: Art+ Flea Opens First Retail Location

Part of Art + Flea’s goal is to make shopping a fun experience PHOTOS BY JEFF MON

“Some of our vendors are ready to move to that next level,” explains Art + Flea business/brand manager Pete Ulatan. “If you have a product and want to showcase it in a retail setting, that is going to involve a large investment. So what we are doing is creating MORI to be a platform where the vendors can have a low-risk investment and test their product offering in a retail setting.”

The monthly event also hosts various performers

The shop is an extension of Art + Flea’s overall mission to support small business owners, artists and designers – which has been the goal since it launched in July 2010. All small businesses need to be supported to make a solid go of building on their business plan and creating a space to cater to customers. This includes utilizing the best technology out there, for example, a Zeller EFTPOS Terminal machine to process payments with wireless and fast technology that can make buying easier, as well as digital advertisements to drum up interest.

Things started off modestly, with just a few vendors – mainly Ishikuni’s friends, who she had asked to join – at Fresh Cafe in Kakaako.

“For me personally, I just had so many friends who were artists and were so talented, but they just didn’t know how to get their name out,” Ishikuni recalls.

It initially was conceived as a one-time event, but it took off quickly. It’s since grown to be comprised of about 700 vendors, which participate on a rotating basis. Each event, which now takes place in a warehouse behind Marukai Market in Ward Gateway Center, features more than 60 vendors at a time, a monthly theme, live entertainment and food.

Art + Flea at Hawaii Convention Center for Honolulu Festival PHOTO BY PETE ULATAN

In addition to its new storefront, Art + Flea is looking to renovate its warehouse – and they’re seeking donations from the community to help upgrade the air conditioning and to conduct regular revamps to fit its monthly themes, among other improvements, such as possibly expanding their space over two floors, connected by a type of retractable mezzanine ladder, where you can find similar ones available on platforms and ladders.

With everything else that is going on, it has never been a perfect time to make any and all improvements they wish to make their warehouse and storefront the best place to be.

Because Art + Flea is all about building up small businesses, the shop also will support these entrepreneurs in other ways.

MORI isn’t just a retail location; it also will offer workshops, including sessions led by Hawaii Fashion Incubator and BoxJelly. Plus, there will be office space available on the upper level of the building to house some of Art + Flea vendors or artists. They envision it as becoming sort of a “creative co-op.”

Going forward, they may even look at expanding the workshops and events to other parts of the city, and even to other cities. It will be interesting to see how this journey pans out, and what their growth trajectory will look like. They might even consider sustainable warehousing and event space options such as using modular shipping containers (https://bmarkostructures.com/3d-shipping-container-modifications-division/) that give off a steampunk vibe, to encourage more innovative sellers to set up shop, and more shoppers to visit.

Art + Flea is held once a month at Ward. It also has events in Mililani, Kailua and Waikiki

The shop is set to open Nov. 29, on Small Business Saturday and right in time for holiday shopping.

MORI will follow Ward Village hours, with extended hours during the holidays.

For more information and continued updates, visit artandflea.com.