Miami Nice

Upscale boutique Collins & 8th doesn’t open up in Honolulu until July, but I got a sneak peek inside.

Upscale boutique Collins & 8th doesn’t open up in Kakaako until July, but I got a sneak peek inside and I think you’re going to like it. Owner Maida Montemayor named it after a shopping district in Miami’s South Beach, saying she wants to bring the energy of Miami to her chic new Honolulu boutique. "I love the culture, the food and the architecture,” she says. You’ll find men’s and women’s clothing, with designers like Mara Hoffman, delicate, feminine pieces from Joie and edgier stuff by Guevarra Arcega. There are also funky shoes by one of my favorite shoe gurus, Jeffrey Campbell. 

“We like the Kakaako area, and it’s an added plus that there’s the salon (Terra) and new restaurant (Nanzan Girogiro) who make great neighbors,” says Montemayor. She gave me a tour of the sleek, white store, which was influenced by the work of her graphic designer husband, Joey. “It’s a big space, but we want people to be comfy, to lounge around and to shop,” she says, noting that invite-only events will take place monthly inside the store, focusing on art, the fashion industry and music.

Collins & 8th also carries vintage clothing and jewelry, as well as locally-made jewelry from designers like Hooululani. “It’s sterling silver or gold fill, very free and easy and glamorous,” Montemayor says of the line. “And hoops! I love hoops.”

Prices range from $20 to $400, with handbags and Mara Hoffman on the higher end of that spectrum. There’s free parking in front of the store. Insider’s tip: go on Tuesday or Wednesday, when the salon and restaurant are closed, Montemayor says, and it’s easier to score a spot. Otherwise, there is metered street parking in the vicinity.

Collins & 8th kicks off July 1 with a private, invite-only grand-opening party, then it’s game on for the rest of Honolulu shoppers. Enjoy!

560 Pensacola Street, Suites 4 & 5, 271-0959. Tuesday to Saturday, 12 to 8:30 p.m., Sunday, 12 to 6 p.m.