Kaimuki Dry Goods – A Legacy of 97 Years in Hawaii's Fabric Industry

About a year before World War II, Mr. and Mrs. Takeya decided to retire. They formed a corporation and turned the store over to their children -- George, Dorothy, Edith, Katherine, and Eleanor. George was later killed in action on October 21, 1943.

Dorothy successfully managed the store until April 1972, when she retired. In 1994, she passed away. In 1966, Kaimuki Dry Goods, Ltd. was remodeled and began specializing in patterns, notions, and fabrics.

Edith Takeya took over as Chairman of the Board with daughter Dee Dee Miyashiro as President, Pam Metzger as Assistant Manager, and Kenneth Takeya as Bookkeeper.

In 2019, Bill Miller, a well-known Hawaii businessman with over 40 years of experience in the fabric industry, forged an agreement with Dee Dee to rent out part of the space in Kaimuki Dry Goods to open Hawaii Creative Sewing, which focused on sewing, quilting, and embroidery machines. The expanded offerings allowed the store to become a one-stop shop for all the sewing and quilting needs of the Oahu community. Bill purchased Kaimuki Dry Goods in 2022 when Dee Dee decided to retire. The current owner is Bill's wife, Jessie Crusat Miller, who took over after Bill's unexpected passing in early 2024.

As many of our loyal customers have said, "'You'll find it at Kaimuki Dry Goods!" So come in and be a part of over 97 years of Hawaii history!

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