HouseMart traces its Ben Franklin roots back to 1951, when the family behind its Hawaii retail business acquired franchise rights for Ben Franklin Stores. The crafting chain grew from an earlier family venture, Maui Varieties Ltd., which traces its roots to a 1934 Kahului dry-goods store.
The anniversary traces back to 1951, when second-generation family members Tadami Kamitaki and Matsuko Mizoguchi acquired Hawaii franchise rights for Ben Franklin Stores, launching the crafting store network that now anchors the celebration, according to Maui Now. That crafting chain itself grew out of an even earlier family venture: parent company Maui Varieties Ltd. traces its roots to 1934, when Japanese immigrant Shikano Kamitaki opened a small dry-goods store in Kahului, Maui, before her children expanded into franchise crafting in 1951, as reported by Hawaii Business Magazine.
From Dry Goods to Hardware and Beyond
The company didn't stop at crafting supplies. Maui Varieties expanded into home improvement in 1984 when it opened its first Ace Hardware store, per the same Maui Now account. Today, the company operates under the HouseMart name.
Pearl City Shopping Center was previously home to the Chuck E. Cheese location that Hoodline reported closed last year after 30 years.
A Family Business Still Growing Today
HouseMart remains family-owned, led by third-generation executive siblings Wayne Kamitaki, Guy Kamitaki and Lynn Ushijima, along with cousin Paul Mizoguchi, according to Hawaii Business Magazine.
Community Ties and Past Regulatory Scrutiny
The Kamitaki family has established a scholarship, extending its local footprint into higher education.
Crafting has remained part of the brand's community presence. In September, Hoodline reported that HouseMart's Ben Franklin Crafts planned to host a crown-making activity for keiki during FANCON at Queen Kaʻahumanu Center on Saturday, September 12. The activity reflects Ben Franklin Crafts' community presence, part of a retail history that traces back to the family's 1951 Ben Franklin franchise rights.
