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Best of Honolulu 2012: Shopping

Editors' Picks

Best Place to Pick Up Chicks

Urban homesteaders, families and retirees flock to Asagi Hatchery to pick up chicks—of the cheeping, fuzzball sort. Reflecting a backyard chicken resurgence, the hatchery has upped the frequency of specialty hatches from twice a year to five. Specialty hatches include rarer breeds like Araucanas, popular for their blue eggs; Silkies, with fluffy tufts surrounding their heads like an Eskimo’s hood; feather-footed Cochins, as lavishly bedecked in feathers as Elizabeth Taylor in jewels. The hatchery has been in the chicken and egg business since 1935, and the Asagi family can dispense useful advice and tips on caring for your chickens, even after they’ve outgrown their cute stage and into awkward teenagers. 1830 Kanakanui St., 845-4522, asagihatchery.com.

Best Glasses for Asian Faces

If you’re tired of ill-fitting frames, or nose-pieces that don’t actually stay on your nose, head over to Dream Vision Eye Care. It may look like an average optometrist’s office, but Dream Vision specializes in glasses and sunglasses designed specifically to fit the contours of the Asian face from brands such as Coach, Dior, Rayban, Armani and more.  1221 Kapiolani Blvd., Suite 120, 546-4445, dreamvisionhawaii.com.

Best Ways to Suit Up

If you’ve got Armani tastes but a Banana Republic budget, keep your eye out for the periodic clearance sales at the outlet stores Sak’s Off Fifth and Nordstrom Rack. Recent deals we saw at Saks: Calvin Klein suit, originally $1,295, down to $279; Brioni tie, $75, down from $195. Even nonclearance prices at Saks bring high-end prices down (sort of) closer to Earth, such as the $1,095 Versace sport coat we saw for $499.99. Deals at Nordstrom Rack: Ben Sherman suit, originally $695, down to $104.25; Hugo Boss sport coat, originally $595, down to $208.25. Saks Off Fifth, 94-800 Lumiaina St., Waipahu, 676-1773. Nordstrom Rack Ward Centers, 330 Kamakee St., Honolulu, 589-2060.

Best Retro Caps

Trucker hats, shmucker hats. Step into newly opened The Firm for vintage and retro snapbacks in all their glory. Store owners and long-time friends Gilbert Agcanas, Elmer Barayuga and Sherwin Agapay turned their love of ’80s-style sports hats into a thriving business. The shop carries more than 180 hats, organized by sport, but Agcanas says they have many more in storage. “The most popular are the Chicago Bulls and the L.A. Raiders hats,” he says. Hats range from $32.99 to $59.99. And watch out for The Firm logo hats and T-shirts, soon. 631-D Keeaumoku St., 888-0099, thefirmhnlhawaii.com.

Best Stationery Store

Stepping inside South Shore Paperie will have you putting away your digital devices and reaching for a pen to send some sentimental thoughts. Cards line the walls like artwork; each are selected by owner Stacey Nomura for their handmade feel. Her locally made stationery collection includes letterpress notecards by Mozaic Designs, emblazoned with red ti leaves, palapalai fern and ulu; as well as postcards by Everything is Jake, styled like vintage travel posters of the Na Pali Coast and Camp Mokuleia. Nomura also carries her own stationery line—Bradley & Lily, named after her children—with restrained, yet vibrant designs, and also offers custom, in-house designs and imprints utilizing her antique letterpress. 1016 Kapahulu Ave., #190, 744-8746, southshorepaperie.com.

Best Way to Shop in 200 Closets

You already raid your sister’s closet and borrow your best friend’s dresses. For a chance to peek into more than 200 closets of fashionable Honolulu women, look no further than Fashionista’s Market Closet Swap. This year’s event is in October and includes prize giveaways. The swap is a one-for-one exchange. If you drop off 15 pieces of clothing or accessories prior to the event, then you get to take home 15 new-to-you items. Check out facebook.com/fashionistasmarket for upcoming details. fashionistasmarket.com.

Best High-End Slipper

When a shoe is more than the occasion calls for, but your cheap-o Locals from Longs won’t quite cut it, you should have a dressy pair of slippers by Island Slipper. The company’s Pearl City factory is forever experimenting with variations on the “rubbah slippah” theme, keeping its Ward Warehouse outlet store stocked with an ample mix of new styles, perennial favorites and whimsical one-offs. The soles never seem to die, and—while this isn’t advertised—the company does custom work. Need a pair of hair-on, camouflage cow-hide kicks with a one-inch right-foot rise for your freakishly oversize feet? Call ‘em. 1050 Ala Moana Blvd., 593-8229.

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