Honoring a Five Year Advertiser with Ke Ola: Kona Stories
Kona Stories is an independent bookstore located on Hawai‘i Island. Established in 2006 by Brenda McConnell and Joy Vogelgesang, it features all genres of books. Whether it’s the latest hard cover, best seller, or an old classic, this bookstore is fully stocked with 10,000 titles. They specialize in Hawaiiana, kids’ books, whimsical gifts and cards and are an elite dealer for Woodstock Chimes.
A Dream Come True
If Brenda was ever asked what her “dream job” would have been it would have been to own a bookstore. “I just started talking about it like it was real. I would go to independent bookstores and talk story with the owner and even started taking pictures of things I liked,” states Brenda.
Brenda moved to Hawai‘i in 2004 looking for the next chapter of her life. Joy was in California looking for her next adventure.
The women had met years earlier in a book group and had stayed in touch. One night Brenda sent out an e-mail to a group of her friends asking if anyone was interested in joining her in Hawai‘i to open a bookstore. Joy was the first to jump in. A few months later she relocated to Hawai‘i and the birth of the bookstore began.
They come from completely different backgrounds. Joy’s last job at Honeywell was as VP of Human Resources. Brenda worked in the medical field and then owned her own childcare business. Yet their common threads are, they are both avid readers and passionate about the literary value books bring to our society.
After several years of planning and dreaming, Kona Stories became a reality and opened Thanksgiving weekend, 2006.
The Bookstore Business
Kona Stories primary market are readers, and people looking for unique gifts. “We think our customers represent some of the smartest enlightened people in our community. They get what it means to shop local. They know the value a bookstore adds to their community.” says Joy.
Competing with an online market and discount stores sometimes selling the same things for less, Joy and Brenda focus on customer service.
Shipping takes a huge chunk out of the bottom line. Books are heavy and Kona Stories does not pass shipping costs to their customers.
Their #1 marketing tool is the store cats! People talk about them and remember them longer than any ad or any event the store hosts. Snowbirds come back every year to check up on Shadow and Nobel. Monthly donors make sure they have only the best cat food and their vet bills are always covered.
Kona Stories offers a unique consignment program for local, self-published writers who need an opportunity to market their work.
One of the things that sets Kona Stories apart from other stores are their community events—most are free to the public.
Words and Wine
Brenda and Joy believe in supporting local authors. On the first Tuesday of each month at 6pm, three authors come together to promote their work. This free event is attended by 30-50 people.
The evening starts with a mingle talk story around the pūpū table inside the store. There is a gorgeous assortment of yummy appetizers, and yes, wine.
Each author has 20 minutes to talk about and/or read from their book. The evening ends with the authors at tables for Q&A and book signings. Afterwards the authors work remains in the bookstore for further purchases.
Today there are more than 200 titles in Kona Stories that are works from our local community.
Congratulations to Kona Stories for seven years of success and mahalo for being one of Ke Ola’s original advertisers!
Kona Stories
Keauhou Shopping Center
808.324.0350
KS@konastories.com
KonaStories.com
