KAILUA-KONA — Pier 1 Imports stores across the state — including two locations on the Big Island — will close their doors early next year.
“As part of a strategic business decision, our stores in Hawaii, including both our Kailua-Kona and Hilo locations, will be closing in early 2020, though exact timing will vary for each location,” Jennifer Reeder, Pier 1 spokesperson, confirmed to West Hawaii Today. “Our stores are currently undergoing a store closing sale that will continue while merchandise is sold.”
The home goods retailer’s first Big Island store opened in June 2012 at the Kona Coast Shopping Center, followed by the Hilo location at Prince Kuhio Plaza in March 2014.
In addition to the Big Island stores, the company operates three locations on Oahu and single locations on Kauai and Maui. A location in Kailua, Oahu, closed in 2018.
All Hawaii store information had been removed from the Pier 1 website as of Monday, and locations on the Big Island had already posted sales signs in the windows.
“We deeply value and are grateful for our customers of Kailua-Kona, Hilo and all of the communities in which we operate throughout Hawaii for their loyalty to Pier 1 over the years,” Reeder said.
The company did not directly respond to questions regarding its employees at the Kailua-Kona and Hilo locations.
“Any time we make decisions about our business, we carefully consider the impact to our associates. We are working with them privately as part of the store closing process,” Reeder said.
In addition, the Texas-based company did not provide details on other closures nationwide, however, Reeder stated the company “previously announced our decision to close 70 stores and that we expected that number could increase.”
“We are committed to having a substantial, national store presence as a cornerstone of our go-forward strategy. At the same time, we are working to optimize our footprint to align with the needs of the business,” she said.
Employees at both stores directed questions from media to the Texas-based retailers corporate office.