Aloha, Shimazu Store

And just like that, B&S Store is now Shimazu Store. They opened last Friday, according to Mr. Shimazu himself who was operating the shave ice machine. His teenaged son was manning the counter. I had a li hing mui shave ice — it was sweet and salty and sour and really great on a hot afternoon. Yup, still the same shave ice.


There was a sign up on the wall near the door from the Higas:


I know the text is illegible in my crappy photo, so here’s what the sign says:

WE HAVE RETIRED!

With warmest ALOHA, we wish to thank all who have become more than just customers to us over our 55 years of operating B & S Store. It has been a pleasure to serve our many FRIENDS from all over the island as well as from the mainland. As we now enjoy a long and restful vacation, the memories of seeing generations of families enjoy our shaved ice will always be with us.

Please welcome and patronize the new proprietors of the Shimazu Store in the coming years.

May you all enjoy a life of continued happiness and good health.

All our love,
Mom & Pop Higa

Aloha, Mom & Pop. And aloha, Mr. Shimazu and son!

12 Responses to “Aloha, Shimazu Store”

  1. Lynn Vasquez Says:

    Thanks Eric. I’ll go check it out real soon!

    Lynn

  2. dana Says:

    Li Hing shaved ice - I still don’t get it… nor do get that pound of powdered Li Hing that hubs hides in the pantry.

  3. Eric Says:

    The powder is for making li hing gummi bears — fusion cuisine at its finest!

  4. dana Says:

    Um, what IS Ling Hing made out of anyway? And do I really want to know?

  5. Eric Says:

    It’s plum extract, salt, sugar, and licorice. Sometimes they use other sweeteners instead of sugar — saccharine is the one I see most often.

  6. dana Says:

    Ew. Ew. Ew. That’s it, when hubs ain’t looking, I’m tossing that ling hing jar into the trash!

  7. judy Says:

    Careful, Dana–don’t know what I would do if my spouse trashed ANYTHING li hing in this house without my knowledge!!

  8. Eric Says:

    This is true. Judy is the li hing queen.

  9. dana Says:

    Good. I’ll send Judy my jar of li-hing, at least hubs will know it’s going to a good home.

  10. Mokihana Says:

    Li hing no ka `oi!

  11. judy Says:

    The boys and I finally got a chance to try Shimazu shave ice — very nice texture and flavorful syrups. I thought the cherry cola was a tad too sweet — especially in the beginning. It was better after some of the ice had melted down a bit. Unfortunately, we went at a time when Mr. Shimazu was unhappy with his son and was jawing at him about his attitude — made things a bit uncomfortable for those of us standing within earshot (in that small store, EVERYWHERE is within earshot!). Yes, it’s a family business but maybe the family part of the business should be conducted somewhere else…

  12. michaelfong Says:

    hello just wanted to know how to make li hing gumi bears. i have the powder.

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