Pearlridge Center announced the introduction or expansion of 20 local businesses on Wednesday as the state’s largest enclosed shopping mall seeks to turn a corner during the pandemic.

Seventeen of the businesses are in place now and three more eateries are expected to arrive sometime in 2021.

“We launched the Open for Small Business initiative with the express purpose of encouraging and supporting our local entrepreneurs – many of whom are also women or minorities,” said David Cianelli, Pearlridge general manager, in a statement. “Dozens, if not hundreds, of new local jobs have been, and are being, created with the opening of these businesses here at Pearlridge Center.”

A Pearlridge spokesperson declined to give details on the lease agreements for the businesses.

The addition of the new businesses stands in contrast to the expected closure sometime this year of the 185,000-square-foot Sears at Pearlridge’s Downtown division. Sears is shutting down two of its last three department stores in Hawaii.

Four of the new businesses are food trucks appearing in the Sears parking lot.

Pearlridge had several closures during the Covid-19 pandemic last year, including national chains Forever 21 and Ann Taylor, but those spaces have been filled. Local businesses Monterey Bay Canners on the Pearlridge exterior and the Pearlridge Zippy’s (inside Sears) also shut down.

The mall has not had any closures since last October, according to a spokesperson.

A list of new businesses at Pearlridge:

• The Mauve Fox: A 700-square-foot boutique near TJ Maxx
  
  
• TK World: A 1,800 square-foot massage equipment/lifestyle product store next to Anthem Shoes
  
  
• Razor Sports Now Drifting: A 9,500-square foot go-carting space on the first level next to Zales
  
  
• The Stash Collectables: A toys/collectibles kiosk fronting Sunglass Hut
  
  
• Once Again Hawaii: A succulent garden/wood art kiosk fronting Nature Republic
  
  
• Fashion Mask: Two kiosks featuring face masks on the second level, fronting Funtastic Kidzone and on the first level, fronting Tricked Out Accessories
  
  
• Humana: A health insurance kiosk fronting Razor Sports Now Drifting
  
  
• Skin Lab HI: An 800-square-foot medi-spa/beauty services store on the second level near Lens Crafters
  
  
• Aloha Threading: A hair removal service kiosk fronting Sephora
  
  
• La Birria Tacos: A Mexican food truck in the Sears parking lot
  
  
• Happy Belly: A food truck featuring Asian fusion/local-style plate lunches in the Sears parking lot
  
  
• Perefoti Island Fixx: A food truck selling Samoan drinks and dessert bowls in the Sears parking lot
  
  
• Rick’s Jerk: A Jamaican food truck in the Sears parking lot
  
  
• These Stuffed Cookies: A cookie and cake kiosk on the Mauka side of the mall's first level, fronting Macy’s
  
  

These businesses expanded:

• Manaola: A 5,900-square-foot, boutique/home goods store next to Hollister in the former Ann Taylor space
  
  
• Beer Lab HI: A 4,300-square-foot brewery/food truck in the former Applebee’s space
  
  
• HNLAX: A 1,900-square-foot salon/boutique next to the Satellite City Hall
  
  

Future eateries:

• Tanaka Ramen and Izakaya
  
  
• Hawaii Pot Shabu Shabu House
  
  
• Hot Dog on a Stick

Brian McInnis
Reporter, Pacific Business News