The Shop on the Corner of 9th and Ilima
By Anthony Kaauamo
The International Food and Clothing Store, owned and operated by the de la Cruz family since 1953, served the community for 66 years before closing in 2019. At the time of its closure, Andrew de la Cruz reflected, “We feel very fortunate. Owning this store allowed us to grow and raise our family in this community, to teach our kids a good work ethic and good values.”
In August 2023, Andrew and Joan de la Cruz quietly reentered the retail market with the soft opening of their new venture, “The Shop at the Corner of 9th and ‘Ilima.” This time, their business focuses on non-perishable items, marking a departure from their previous involvement in groceries. The store’s size is notably smaller, just a quarter of International’s. The shift allows them to enjoy a semi-retirement lifestyle, giving them the flexibility to close shop when they want to embark on two-week-long travels around the world.
Joan elaborated on the decision to transition, “So basically, we closed International because it was too big. It was too labor-intensive for three old people to be running,” referring to herself, Andrew, and Chris Agliam. “We told the Company we were going to close and it was actually their suggestion, ‘Well, what if we gave you a smaller space?’
Following Joan’s suggestion, renovations commenced on the building located across from the Hawaiian Electric facility and adjacent to the Ahava Lanai Day Spa. This historic site had a significant role in Lanai’s history, serving as the original International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Hall during the 1951 Pineapple Strike, organized by union leader and Andrew’s father, Pedro de la Cruz. Over the years, it transitioned into a storage house for International.
While much of their current inventory is reminiscent of International — fishing gear, candies, laundry supplies — it will adapt as they explore which products resonate best with customers. “We’re going to try to fill voids in what is available. We are open to hearing what people want,” Joan said.
In the years between the closure of International and the opening of the new shop, Chris relocated to Colorado to be closer to her daughter and grandchildren; Joan, also a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agent, transferred to Honolulu in early 2022 after ‘Ohana by Hawaiian stopped servicing Lanai; Andrew remained on Lanai, attempting retirement. “I tried to go fishing more,” Andrew said, “but I didn’t really catch much. So, I would spend time walking and exercising.”
A distinctive feature of the shop is its sense of familiarity. Joan shared a recent customer’s experience, saying, “She comes in and she’s like, ‘Wow, this is brand new. But it’s so familiar. It’s like deja vu.’” There are the same shelves from International since 1977 and an outside cork board is reminiscent of the wall outside International where people pinned flyers.
Notably absent is the giant karabao head (actually an African Cape buffalo). When questioned about its location, Joan clarified that it’s too large for the small shop space and currently resides at the de la Cruz home, where it serves the purpose of “scaring the children.”
And as for the shop’s name, Joan said, “We didn’t want it to be Internationals again, because it’s not. So, we thought, ‘The Store at the Corner of 9th and ‘Ilima.’” Varanya, the youngest of Andrew and Joan’s four adult children, suggested an adjustment to the name, “We didn’t call Internationals ‘Internationals,’ we called it ‘the store’ growing up. Like, ‘We’re at the store, come to the store, go sweep the store.’” Their life was the store. “Well, this is smaller. So, it’s the shop.” The word “shop” also pays homage to the building’s history and connection to the labor union.
Musashi, 2nd eldest of the de la Cruz children, reflected on her family’s strong work ethic, saying, “The store was a lot of hard work growing up, and it was a family effort. We worked together, and that’s what we knew.”
The de la Cruz family’s legacy endures with the introduction of a new generation: Jamie, Musashi’s 2-year-old son. His upbringing within the de la Cruz clan offers a unique and enduring connection to the essence of shared family work. “When I think of family time, it’s sweeping, and it’s dusting, and it’s unloading boxes,” said Musashi, “Even though the shop is not as much work as the old store was, I do think that he’ll get some of that same values of a family that works together. I hope that will be part of his experience of Lanai.