Page 7 - MidWeek Leeward - June 16, 2021

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fashion to many other busi- nesses, and “everybody was really scared,” Lee acknowl- edges.
even travel from as far away as Kalihi and other areas.
in the time since. Howev- er, Lee explains that seven years ago Sherman became permanently disabled and she assumed the reins of leadership.
In addition, several of her employees were aging and decided to retire. Respond- ing to the environment, Lee implemented a variety of changes, including signing up for online deliveries, in- corporating a social media presence and a myriad of promotions.
The mostly takeout eat- ery is also one of the only nearby places to obtain tra- ditional roast duck and roast pork that hangs in its win- dow for customers to see be- fore purchasing.
“I had to take over and learn everything,” she notes. “Customers are very hap- py to see me, because they know my family.”
“We do this kind of food. I come from Hong Kong, along with my husband and family. This is a specific Hong Kong roast item and customers like that. Less and less chefs know how to do a good one. It’s kind of com- plicated,” Lee emphasizes.
She met her husband while she was on vacation in Hawai‘i, then she decided to enroll at University of Ha- wai‘i at Mānoa.
One of them is the restau- rant’s We Are Together spe- cial with a lowpriced $6.99 lunch plate, which has been ongoing for more than a year.
Lee first began as a stu- dent at Utah State Univer- sity, and then transferred to UH, where she graduated in 2006 with a degree in mar- keting.
Pearl’s also sells lots of its 100% handmade dim sum and manapua.
An assortment of Chinese entrees are ready for takeout from Pearl’s Chinese Kitchen in the food court next to Pearl City Don Quijote. It moves to the Waipahu Don Quijote location at the end of the month. ANTHONY CONSILLIO PHOTO
When the coronavirus pandemic began a year ago, sales declined in a similar
In fact, she says patrons
For more information about Pearl’s Chinese Kitch- en, visit pearlskitchenhi.com or call 808-455-3377.
“The profit margin is very low, but we want to help the neighbors. The cus- tomers are very supportive,” Lee declares.
During the pandemic, Lee also took over ownership of Oh My Grill Pearl City lo- cated right next door, and she runs Oh My Grill in Mc-
Cully Shopping Center. She looks to open another site at Pearl Kai Shopping Center in October. In addition, Lee looks to have Pearl’s and Oh My Grill situated side-by-
side at Waipahu Don Quijote as well. She even hopes to have both restaurants again within walking distance of the old Pearl City location, so she can serve the same
neighborhood her family has for the past 42 years.
JUNE 16, 2021 7
Pearl City Chinese Restaurant Changes During Pandemic To Keep Going
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