Maui Thing Clothing Line Collaborates with Children’s Bookstore

[flashvideo file=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vi3YfxFWhLI /] By Wendy Osher

***Video courtesy: Wade Robson Creations.

Two small businesses on Maui announced a kamaʻāina collaboration that brings together locally inspired attire and a handpicked selection of keiki books and toys under one roof.

The Maui Thing clothing retailer, which is focused on modern fashion, welcomes the addition Amanda Robson’s Maui Children’s Bookstore, inspiring a new generation with items aimed at sparking the imagination of young minds.

The keiki bookstore now has a permanent fixture section at the store, complete with educational toys, interactive art, and parent/child classes.

Amanda Robson (left) and Ashley Takitani Leahey (right). Courtesy photo.

Maui Thing representatives say the collaboration provides a welcome change to help sustain both small businesses.

“Our bread and butter has always been women and children apparel and we finally decided it was time to make a change if we wanted to sustain our small business,” said Ashley Takitani Leahey, co-owner of Maui Thing, who oversees inventory and finances.

Maui Thing owner Saedene Ota opened the Wailuku location in 2008, with the catchy slogan “stuck on good,” and a focus on island “clothing with a conscience.”

In an effort to revamp their store with minimal cost, Takitani Leahey said Maui Thing chose to develop their women’s and children’s focus and invited Amanda into the Maui Thing ʻohana.

Prior to the collaboration, Robson had been doing pop-up bookstore events across the island and had planned to open a start-up location in Makawao, but the location fell through, said Takitani Leahey.

The best of both businesses can be found at 7 North Market Street in Wailuku Town.