ABC Stores
 

Alright Hawaii lovers... Tell me where is your ABC store of choice is, or the "Best" one??
I think the one at the Shops at Wailea is the best, but the one I most frequent is the one in the Old Lahaina Center.

Lori

I'm curious how one ABC store is "better" or "best" over the others. I'd think the one nearest where I'm staying would be the BEST one. Am I missing something with this question? Are you looking for some obscure liquor that may not be available at all of them?

ABC liquor stores?? I thought they were only in Florida LOL
Now there is the Fabulous ABC Carpet and Home store in NYC :)

This is like asking to pick my favorite 7-11! They all seem the same to me. I guess my favorite one is the one by house with the Chevron pumps in the parking lot, since I buy my gas there.

Agree they all seem to be pretty much the same, only some are larger than others. Was surprised on our last visit to Honolulu last July how many there are compared to the last time we were there. They seem to be mushrooming like Starbucks!

I must admit they are handy and I have found a few bargains at ABCs. Have a couple t-shirts that are really quite nice and were reasonably priced. So I am glad they are available on every island we have been on, but just wish they weren't on practically every corner.

The closest one that's open when I need sugar derived antifreeze for my POG :)

There's an ABC store in Las Vegas at the Desert Shops at Aladdin Hotel. Seeing it there was unexpected fun!!! There was a Hilo Hattie and Cheeseburger in Paradise too. And we saw Society of Seven show in one of the hotels Seeing these little bits of Hawaii in the midst of LV winter was a treat!

I heard their was one in Vegas! Must be strange seeing all Vegas stuff in the store of Hawaii?
Patrick, each ABC store is different. Has different merchandise, some has more some less, some bigger, more interesting. I was just curious.
Lori

Yeah, the ABC store in Vegas is in Downtown. There are also a few hotels in Downtown that have restaurants that have "local" food, especially the California Hotel. It's great if you're visiting from Hawaii!!

I forgot to mention....one thing I did notice about the ABC stores in Hawaii.....how come they're only on Oahu?? Actually, they're only in Waikiki, right?? I haven't been to the BI yet, so I'm not sure, but I don't recall seeing any on Kauai and I think there was 1 on Maui, in Lahaina.

BigJim, ABC stores were all over Maui. We had one down the street from our hotel in Kihei. I don't remember for sure, but I thought they were on Kauai also.

I think there may be a bit of confusion as to what an ABC store is in Hawaii as opposed to other parts of the country.

In Hawaii, an ABC store is a glorified convenience store, for lack of a better description. They are found primarily in Waikiki or other tourist areas and sell beach items (coolers, rafts, towels, etc.) and souvenirs in addition to food, drinks, sundries, etc.

When I first moved to North Carolina, a friend told me we had to go to the ABC store to buy liquor. I was amazed that they had ABC stores all the way in North Carolina :) (and wondered why we could only buy liquor there) - then when we got there, realized "ABC" stood for Alcoholic Beverage Control or something like that.

chepar, Thank You for clearing that up! I had no idea their a liquer stores called ABC.
I was referring to the one's in Hawaii, that has sundries, and souveniers. Sorry for the confusion.
Lori

There were lots of ABC stores on the BI when we were there a few years ago. We saw 3 or 4 of them within a couple of blocks, along Alii Drive. We love them - they have everything you could possibly want.

The suprising thing about the ABC stores in Hawaii is that most of their stuff is pretty cheap. You would think it would be marked up like most convenience stores. The first time I stepped foot in one, I was thinking....it's almost like a 7-11, but with cheaper prices on most things. I bought some of my best slippers from the ABC stores!

My daughter recently mentioned something she wished she had gotten for herself when in Hawaii from the ABC store.

I got online and was able to order it with minimal shipping. They sent a catalog with my order.

FYI, just in case you ever want something from an ABC store but aren't going to Hawaii soon.

My husband and I were in Hawaii last summer and went to ABC almost everyday for something! They are so cheap, and great for all the little things you can forget or just need along the way. We frequented them in Waikiki, Maui, and the Big Island, and never walked our empty-handed! We are going to Oahu and Kauai this summer, and are excited to do some more shopping there!

I love'em to. You can always find things cheaper there than say Hilo Hattie. Although I love that store too! Can you tell that shopping is one of my favorite things to do in Hawaii?? : )
Lori