Tom JacobsGeorge Atkins opened the Hale’iwa Art Gallery twenty-four years ago. He closed his doors at the end of July and liquidated his beautiful inventory of oil paintings and art work at a fraction of his cost. He says. “I saw this comin.” George’s closing is especially poignant to me, years ago he enlarged an oil painting of my wife, Noelle, that my brother Don had painted, and framed it in koa. That beautiful art still graces our living room.
George is not alone. His gallery, like many North Shore businesses depends upon tourists to survive. Unlike last year with an estimated ten million people shopping, eating and enjoying ocean activities our busy sidewalks and traffic jams are no more. All North Shore businesses are feeling the pain.
Will we get through it? Of course we will. The North Shore is still one of the loveliest spots on earth. Suck ’em up brah!