Celebrating a Long Time Advertiser: Trudy’s Island Arts

Shortly after Trudy and her husband Rick moved to Hawai‘i Island in 2003, Trudy met Katrina Bellak, who needed some help at her new art kiosk. Trudy worked a few nights a week until the shop moved to Ali‘i Gardens Marketplace and then she began managing the store for Katrina who was battling cancer. About five months after the store moved to Kona International Market in May 2006, Katrina passed away.

Trudy decided to continue the store and make it her own.

Trudy’s Island Arts represents more than 60 artists living in Hawai‘i and a handful more who used to live here. They have artists specializing in oils, watercolors, jewelry, glass works, koa products, ceramic tiles, fabrics, and much more.

“I have met so many great people—local customers, artists and visitors. Many have become friends over the years. It is so rewarding when someone comes into the store and says, ‘I’m so glad you’re still here!’ or ‘This is my favorite store in Kona.’”

The biggest challenge was when the economy crashed in 2008. Until then Trudy’s Island Arts enjoyed steady growth—both in sales and in the size of the store.

“I think keeping regular business hours throughout that whole time was important. Many businesses started opening late, closing early, and eventually closed. I think being consistent paid off for me,” says Trudy.

Although tourists are the largest percentage of customers in the store, Trudy welcomes kama‘āina as well as returning visitors. Trudy’s Island Arts has a “frequent buyers club” that rewards locals and repeat customers for shopping at the store.

For everyone who sees Trudy’s sign on a car at Costco when they pull out of the gas station and wonders—no, she doesn’t work there, too. Her husband does, and that has been some of her best advertising over the years. Ke Ola Magazine has been the one and only other form of advertising for the last five years.

“Word-of-mouth is not to be taken lightly here. That goes for good and bad. So I always try to think of how my store, my help, and I will be perceived by those who come in. What will people say about Trudy’s Island Arts?”

Trudy also markets her business at art fairs throughout the year. Since most art fairs attract a lot of people, it gives her the chance to educate potential buyers on all her store has to offer.

She doesn’t see other businesses as “competition.”

“I feel I have a good relationship with many other retailers. If I don’t carry something I know someone else does, I will send my customers to them. I would like nothing more than to have the entire Kona International Market full of merchants because it is much more attractive to would-be customers to come to a full shopping center instead of one with lots of empty or closed spaces.”

Trudy loves this community and is active in supporting Project Hawai‘i here on Hawai‘i Island, which helps our homeless keiki. Some people may have heard that Trudy was planning to sell her store since she and Rick plan to semi-retire later this year.

You can relax; the store isn’t going anywhere.

Trudy’s “hānai” daughter, Kara Chaput-Yeaton is going to manage and work in the store while Trudy and Rick are traveling.

Trudy was having a hard time imagining someone else taking over her “baby” after more than 10 years of putting her blood, sweat, and tears into it. So, she will remain the owner, and know it is in good hands when she’s away.

In 2013 Trudy’s Island Arts was voted “Best Gift Shop in West Hawai‘i.”

Congratulations Trudy, for more than 10 years in business and for deciding to continue! Mahalo for your support of Ke Ola Magazine!

Trudy’s Island Arts
Kona International Market
74-5533 Luhia St., Kailua-Kona
(In the back, facing the Queen Ka‘ahumanu Hwy.)
Open daily 9:30am-5pm (except major holidays and Ironman)
808.329.7711
hitrudy@gmail.com
TrudysIslandArts.com