Talk Story with an Advertiser: Papa’aloa Country Store & Cafe
A very special building in the small town of Pāpa‘aloa has been restored to its original, yet much improved, charm. The store that had previously inhabited this space next to the local post office was an institution, the heart of this Hāmākua community. Brothers Sol Ammon and Galahad Blyth breathed new life into it in 2015 and plan on improving it with each passing year. In addition to being a unique one-stop shop along the northern coast, Sol and Galahad strive to live up to their motto, “Something for Everyone,” and in doing so, their country grocery store has evolved to include a bakery, restaurant, café and bar, live music venue, and propane distribution center. About thirty minutes north of Hilo, they do all they can to serve their community and give them a place to call their own.
As one of the last coastal agricultural tracts in the entire state, the Hāmākua Coast is where both brothers call home–they live within a few miles of the store. When they found this investment opportunity, it didn’t take long for them to combine their passion for supporting the local farming community and the need for a new regional focal point to take on reviving the Country Store.
Sol says, “With no other businesses in the vicinity, we attempted to fill that void by providing as many basic goods and services as our community needs. We strive to not only provide for our community, but to actively build it by creating a space for people of all walks of life and every imaginable background to sit down and share a meal. Living in the country, sometimes it’s not easy to get to know your neighbors. We strive to bring them together, to share a meal, often including their neighbors hard-worked goods, to talk story, catch a show and support our local talent.”
One of their biggest challenges has been in letting people know they are there, since the store isn’t visible from the highway. If people don’t know to turn makai (towards the ocean), most drive right by. For better or worse, Hawai‘i has strict rules that prevent them from putting up signage along the highway. Because of that, they rely heavily on word of mouth. They have confidence people will notice the care and aloha they put into everything they do, seemingly confirmed by the positive reviews online. Make a point to drive the spectacular Hāmākua Coast and when you do, be sure to stop by the Pāpa‘aloa Country Store and Café for some authentic aloha. Check them out on social media.
Pāpa‘aloa Country Store and Cafe
35-2032 Old Mamalahoa Hwy.
Pāpa‘aloa, Hawaii 96780
papaaloacountrystore@gmail.com
papaaloacountrystore.com
808.339.7614
