Chit Chat Sundries & Gifts

Just off to the side of Tamarind Park, this mini mart has practically anything you could ever need while working downtown. Need a card? A last minute gift? They’ve got it. Need a little treat for yourself? They’ve got that too!
My coworkers and I often come here for the hot food items and drinks. They have sandwiches, salads and wraps but we usually walk past that section. In warmers, they sell chili (not my fave), portugese bean soup and chicken noodle soup. In warmers further down, they offer bentos, musubi (hot dog, furikake spam musubi and fried rice spam musubi). I’m partial to the fried rice spam musubi. I think they’re made by Sugoi. In the drawer below the musubi, you’ll find foam containers of rice for your chili or soups or to supplement any food you’ve brought from home. You’ll also find popcorn, hard boiled eggs, bananas and more! Icee, juices, water, sodas, energy drinks… they’re all here.

Convenient place to get food… And they even have soups, some hot food like musubi and popcorn! (Popcorn is why I usually come here) they also have an icee machine. Overall though, it’s cheaper to go to 7 – 11

There are always something cute and pretty when I go to this store, from cards, accessories, decorations, to stuff toys all very suitable for small gifts or souvenirs.
Sometimes I check out for hello kitty isles for small things like pens, pencils, key chains, lanyard & card holder… etc
There are a combinations of small snack sessions and souvenirs assortments for office workers to stock on and create additional color and fun decorations.

This is the best place to pick up a Spam Musubi when you are on the go or for a last minute present. Chit Chat Sundries is located on the ground floor of the American Savings Bank Tower, facing Tamarind Park. This convenient location is perfect for downtown workers to pick something up to eat.
Chit Chat offers more than just chips, candies, and coffee. I am a huge fan of their Spam Musubi, Spam Fried Rice Musubi, and Hot Dog Musubi. I stand in front of the heated case for a couple of minutes while trying to decide which one to get. It’s always a tough decision. There’s also a great selection to soups, including Portuguese Bean, Chicken Noodle, Corn Chowder, and Chili. There’s also Hot Dogs and fresh popped popcorn from the popcorn machine. They also have a selection of bentos, salads, and cut fruits. Oh, and don’t forget about the ICEE machine. A perfect treat on a hot day.
Chit Chat Sundries also has a pretty good selection of Sanrio gifts as well as travel essentials, which makes it a good place to pick up a last minute present. I also bought an umbrella here when the rain came down unexpectedly one morning. Chit Chat Sundries is an essential place for the downtown worker! (#2)

Chit Chat Sundries & Gifts located on the bottom floor of the American Savings Tower. I’ve always wanted to step foot into this establishment before but never did until Friday December 18, 2015.
My first time stepping in this establishment I noticed the ATM by the door as well as the greeting card stands. I walked around the convenience store and noticed that this place sells candies, drinks, chips, Icee, stuffed animals, IPhone cases, selfie sticks, ponchos, scarfs, and a lot of other items.
What caught my eyes were the cute stuff animals. I’m a sucker for stuffed animals. Lol. There’s even some Hello Kitty merchandises like a lunch box, memo pads, pens, and I think a backpack too.
I did take notice that this place sells the monthly bus pass. To early to purchase one today. I also noticed that this establishment passed the Department of Health inspection.

Great food, snack, and drink selection, plus fun gifts and nick-​nacks for the occasional splurge. Food tends to be over-​priced though. You can get a much better & fresher salad at Aloha Salads for the same price. Also, customer service is hit-​or-​miss. I’ve experienced some rudeness from management, and witnessed it towards other customers as well.

This is a good store to check out. If you are looking for any gift items and not sure what to look for, then not to worry, this store has something for everyone. If you are into the Sanrio items, they have a very good selection of hello kitty items that you can get, especially if you like hello kitty items. Also the good thing about this store is if you are looking for items like bus passes, drinks and other things then this store is perfect because they make sure that they have what you need and it’s a convenient location, especially if you are working in the downtown area as well as living in downtown Honolulu too. One reminder, when you purchase a bus pass, make sure that you carry cash because they will no longer take credit/​debit cards. Just remember to carry cash only and for other purchases you can use your credit/​debit cards. Will be back to shop again for gift ideas.

Chit chat has everything you might need. They have greeting cards and little gifts. They’ve got snacks, cigarettes, and drinks. They’ve got a popcorn machine and candy galore. They even sell hydroflasks and stuffed animals. I find this place great when I’ve forgotten to buy someone a card, I can come here and pick something suitable from their rows and rows of cards.

Chit Chat advertises monthly bus passes for sale. I went to get next month’s pass yesterday (¹⁄₂₃) and the store still didn’t have the passes yet even though the passes are available for pick — up for stores to sell as of the 20^th of each month. This is the 3^rd time my daughter & I went to get our passes and came away disappointed yet again. If the owner/​store doesn’t get the passes in a timely manner, why offer that service? We’re planning to go elsewhere to get passes from now on.

It bothers me to do this but I am downgrading my rating. This is based on the fact that they sell monthly bus passes but the last few times I have been here to purchase my bus passé for the following month they claim to not of gotten them yet and have no idea when they will. Bus passes are released on the 20^th of every month to certain businesses that is authorized to sell the passes. I come here because of the convience since I am downtown on my way to work, to stop by and buy for the following month. And it gives me a chance to buy other things as well.
Because their lack of obtaining bus passes to sell to the general public on the 20^th of every month I am forced to go out of my way to purchase somewhere else, a business that does have it starting the 20^th of every month for the following month.
Hopefully the manager or person whom owns this business will make it a priority to obtain bus passes on the 20^th to sell to the public or at least have an answer when the store will sell them.
Until then I am taking my business somewhere else.

For those of us who have to commute to work in downtown using TheBus, this is the most convenient location to get your monthly bus passes. Plus they accept credit cards as a form of payment for the passes unlike some grocery stores. Just right across Jack In the Box inside the American Savings building. They also have all those convenient freshly made snacks if youre on the go in a hurry.

3.20.13
Chit Chat is the best convenience store in downtown and the food isn’t so bad either. My coworker likes to buy their sandwiches from time to time; I go for the Icee ;)
Besides being obviously convenient in location, this store also has a variety of what my grandpa and dad would call «junks». As a shoppaholic I refer to them as lovely trinkets! haha the Sanrio selection is what really caught my eye about this place – obvi too cute to resist!
One thing that I am currently loving about this store – they have these «cute» VooDoo keychains – they’re really cute, not creepy and they «symbolize» things like luck and love. Also, what other convenience store will carry boiled eggs?!
Unilocal 365 Challenge: #079/​365

Fried rice spam musubi. Nuff said!

This is a great shop in downtown. They have a little bit of everything!!! Whenever I walk into downtown I stop by to get something to drink, look through their Hello Kitty section, or just browse their wide selection of random gifts. I especially love that they have ICEE floats!!!
I have found a few gifts here that I don’t see anywhere else. The staff is friendly and helpful if you have questions.
If you’re downtown and looking for something unique or an ICEE FLOAT, you should stop by!!!

Chit Chat Sundries could quickly be passed by, however it is definitely a spot that you need to remember in the event that emergency need for a coke, a balloon, or perhaps a card that you might have forgotten. Let’s face it, downtown is in short supply when certain needs arise and Chit Chat is the place to come to when it does.
Located right on the first floor of ASB tower with its entrance to Bishop Square, it is nestled among the trees with a non-​descriptive entrance. It features a mix match selection of products whether its the last minute gift items, soda, or perhaps the lunch on the go that probably isn’t good for you.
Prices are a little on the higher side, but you have to keep in mind that it is downtown and the shop has to pay the exorbitant rent. Service is decent and they are quick to help you get on your way.
So if you forgot something at home, be sure to stop by Chit Chat, you’ll thank me for it later.

I didn’t notice this place until I started to go holo holo one morning after getting Jack In the Box and Starbucks. This place is definitely like 7 – 11, where it is surely a conveience for everyone who does business in the downtown area. Without question, this place has the daily essentials and carries food and beverages. They do carry TheBus bus passes, but they’re cash only. I didn’t get a chance to buy anything, since I was just browsing to get a feel for the store.
I did get that the prices are a bit on the high side, but you are patronizing small businesses. I got to remember that when I hit up Wal-​Mart and Sports Authority for the best deals. Located at the American Savings Bank tower, it’s your one stop shop to get everything you need — without going to Costco and /​or Sam’s Club. However, there is a 7 – 11 on Bishop Street, which is clearly their nearest competition. Chit Chat has nice employees that gives me a smile even when I was browsing their store. Never a bad experience. I will come here instead of 7 – 11 whenever I am in the area and need some stuff.
The only problem with this store is that, their hours are limited to 6pm.

Whether you’re craving something salty or sweet, they’ll have it. Chips, candy, spam musubi, hotdogs, popcorn, ice cream, etc. It’s all there. They also sell my favorite soda in cans — Diet Mountain Dew. I don’t like to drink a lot of soda, so the can-​size is perfect for me. They also have cute little knick knacks that you can buy if you want to treat yourself or you need to buy a last-​minute gift for someone.

A convenience store under the American Savings Bank in Downtown. I would compare this to a 7 – 11 except its got waaaaayyyy cuter stuff: Sanrio products like hello kitty, Hawaiian snacks, just to name a few. Other items here: musubis, chili, hot dogs…
They accept credit cards and are opened from 6am-​6pm.

It’s pretty hard to rate a convenience store but I’ll try: YUMMY SPAM MUSUBI. Terrible awful nasty chicken musubi. LOTS OF SANRIO STUFF. No pantyhose. STAMPS… ok you get the drift
Great spam musubis – get the one with furikake and the one that is fully covered in nori (not the one with the tiny little strip of nori in the middle). SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO YUMMY. It’s 1.99 regular price and after it gets late it’s ½ off and it still tastes quite good. It’s no Manabu but it’s pretty darned good.
I have heard the fried rice spam musubi is a little salty but I may still try it one day; but that one is steep: it’s $ 2.50 regular price!
They have hot dog musubi (haven’t tried) and chicken musubi (TERRIBLE, STAY AWAY). I hear that the chicken musubi comes from a different restaurant, which might explain why it was so nasty. The chicken was nasty, the rice was nasty – and how the heck do you have nasty rice? Well they managed. I’m still trying to remember what places each of them come from and I’ll update when I can.
The store (for hot food) also has things like chow fun, noodles, chili, soup and such.
Random note for the working woman, or anyone who just loves pantyhose: THEY DON’T CARRY PANTYHOSE. So just walk on over to Longs on the other corner and grab your pantyhose before you pick up your spam musubi…
Other than that, it’s a normal convenience store with chips, soda, milk, greeting cards, stamps and the normal schtuff. except THERE IS A HUGE SANRIO SECTION so if you need Hello Kitty or something, this is also your stop. Don’t ask me why this is in the convenience store, but it is. So it makes for good shopping if you have a Sanrio loving kid at home, or heck, even if you have a secret Sanrio obsession, that’s cool.

Located on the bottom of the American Savings Bank tower in Downtown (King/​Alakea St), this little gift shop/​convenience store was a surprising find today.
I was in downtown with the kids and I wanted to get a spam musubi. My sister recommended this place over ALL the other little okazuyas around downtown. I couldn’t imagine how a little gift shop could have good spam musubis. This is not your gas station or Foodland spam musubi. This is more like your soccer practice potluck spam musubi. Kind of tasted like Sugoi’s spam musubi. I wonder if that’s where they get it from.
SPAM MUSUBI $ 1.99: I think they get their musubis from a few different vendors because they had two different kinds of musubis. I am reviewing the one that is with the spam in the middle with furikake (not the one with the spam on the top). If you are a rice snob, the rice is not premium-​grain rice like the one ManaBu’s uses but it was still good. I don’t know how you can have a spam musubi that is better than others, but this one was special. I also ate the fried rice spam musubi, which had little chunks of charsiu in the fried rice. A little salty but it was good. They have a nice warmer so the musubis are piping HOT when you buy them so you don’t have to worry about how long they’ve been sitting out. Definitely better than 7 – 11 spam musubi.
BENTO: $ 6.25 rice/​furikake, hot dog, teri beef, egg, garlic chicken. This garlic chicken definitely tastes like I’ve had it before. It tastes really close to the Sugoi garlic chicken. Next time I go there I’ll have to ask them where they get their hot bentos/​food from.
CHOW FUN: This was also very tasty and came with kamaboko and cabbage. Nothing fancy but my son ate it and he usually won’t eat anything but Gulick chow fun.
There’s also popcorn, cold drinks, MILK, candy etc… all your regular convenience store items… and then in the middle of the store is this HUGE Sanrio Hello Kitty section. Backpacks, bags, stickers, paper, pencils, folders, everything Hello Kitty!!! I heard several people in downtown come here just to buy their Hello Kitty things, so it must be good.
Accepts CREDIT CARDS (even my AMEX!). There’s metered parking on Richards Street = quarter/​10 minutes. I might have to come back without my kids.