A monthly event that’s supposed to revitalize the arts district in Honolulu, is not having the desired effect for all businesses.
The event is called First Friday, and it’s held on the first friday of every month.
It attracts thousands of people to the Chinatown area.
"People are in and out, in and out, so it’s a super busy night from about 8:00 p.m. on," said Stu Schroeder, general manager of Indigo.
Increased foot traffic, means:
"Business is pretty good," Schroeder said.
Indigo has been open for 18 years. Since First Friday became popular several years ago, the restaurant’s revenue has picked up. In fact, business on a First Friday, can equate to one week’s worth of revenue.
"We’re walking out of this recession," Schroeder said.
But other businesses are not as lucky.
"A family restaurant like this cannot compete," said Chu Lan Shubert-Kwock, who represents the Chinatown Business and Community Association.
She says in the past month, several businesses in the area have shut down — businesses such as this noodle house, located across the street from Indigo.
"Because they don’t sell alcohol and they don’t have loud music, they are a family restaurant," she said.
Shubert-Kwock and Schroeder both agree that First Friday is not helping all the businesses it intended to.
"Art is one of the last things that certain people have disposable incomes to buy and it has been really slow," Schroeder said.
But they have some different views when it comes to this monthly event.
"It’s healthy, it’s really nice," Schroeder said.
"It’s just a place to get drunk, be happy and leave," Shubert-Kwock said.
Although First Friday in Honolulu began eight years ago, it wasn’t heavily promoted until about five years ago.
See the original article at: KHON2 Local News
