The Refinery Honolulu

Great store for gifts and kitchen items. A lot of fun silly/​gag items as well. also some local stuff and affordable prices. I went in for Christmas gifts and birthday gifts. The staff was very helpful and friendly. One of the girls offered to gift wrap my purchase for free. I definately recommend it. Only reason I don’t give 5stars because it’s hard to navigate what is what you spend a lot of time figuring out category of items.

I just went to this store for the first time last week Sunday. I only had five minutes to peek inside since my movie was starting. Everything was so cute. I love notebooks and stationery and random things like this. I like the idea that it’s a general store as back in the day all these small towns had one general store that people would go to for everything. The only thing I wish they had are more spiral notebooks. I don’t like the notebooks where you write in them and it’s hard to keep it still because it keeps flipping over, so I like the spiral ones since they lay flat. I love the hot air balloon notebooks. I wanted to try out one of the rings in the glass case, but I know I didn’t have time to try it on. This store is perfect for gifts too… gifts for myself tee hee.

I feel so warm and cozy in here! So much cute things to look at! I could spend hours in here. Great place if your looking for gifts. My favorite thing I bought chuao chocolate with bacon inside!

The staff needs more training, they are all at a loss for words when asked simple questions.
I shopped there twice and bought a Mer Sea Diffuser called Sun Kissed and a fringe bag. When I went back to buy more of the Mer Sea as well as exchange the fringe bag for another color I was informed they are both being discontinued. Why? Don’t know the real reason, I got two different answers from different sales clerks. I’m confused as to why they are discontinuing ordering the Mer Sea, from what I gathered its a great seller, it goes off the shelves real quick! Again, I need to stress the employees there need to be more informative and less surprised looking when a customer asks questions. For all the above reasons I only gave 3 stars.

**NO RETURNS OR REFUNDS.** store credit only!!!
There’s currently nothing on the store register informing customers about this policy at the time of purchase.
Every other store in Kahala Mall has a return/​refund policy, so the innocent shopper would come to expect to be able to return/​refund their items at least within a week of purchase.
I spoke with the manager and I am grateful that they were kind enough to make an exception because I had just bought my items that same day, but otherwise that is their policy.
I informed the manager they really need to have a sign about this policy, and she kindly said that they’ll take that into consideration.
Otherwise, interesting selection of a hodgepodge of stuff, items you’d expect to find at Thinker Things, Papyrus, or Williams-​Sonoma. Prices range on the higher end, but if you’re looking for unique, expensive, non-​refundable hostess gifts, you’ve found your store.
I admit it was my first time in the store. It was difficult to navigate. There’s no real organization to the layout, except perhaps by genre. Even so, I found it hard to really get a feel for what the store was about until I was about two-​thirds the way through.
I took off three stars for the return/​refund policy and the organization of the store, but added a star for their redeeming customer service today. Hopefully they’ll reconsider and either change their policy or at least provide customers with an informed decision PRIOR to their purchase. Time will only tell.
Happy shopping!

This gift store has tons of cute and unique gift items. They have very nice wrapping papers and gift cards. Wide variety of things that you will use at home such as cute little frog plates and wooden spoons. This is the type of store that I would want to buy something whenever I visit. It’s very nice to have this type of gift shops in Hawaii. I wish them great success!

Such a beautifully curated store. I had no idea this was over here and was really happy that I decided to use the restroom on this side of the wing instead of walking down the stairs near Banana Republic. They sell quite a few home goods, all small items of course in addition to little knick knacks/​gifts. I didn’t have time to look at everything because I had my son with me but I’ll write another review when I have time to run around here on my own. I love stores like this because the sell a lot of unique, vintage and often urban things — all in one store.

Reid and his wife decided to open up this local, unique, «gifty» store in Kahala Mall with a cute take on quaint meets retro style. The description on the window says, «Your modern general store», but there is SO much more to it. The Refinery Honolulu is one place to find unique, «out of the box» holiday gems without having to fly to places like the West Coast.
Tucked in the corner across from the theaters, the store is well lit and full of holiday cheer. It is hard NOT to stroll in and take a peek. Curiosity will tell you to read the fun wooden signs, chuckle at greeting cards that read «Older and wiser, mostly older», and enjoy «dated» local paraphernalia like Red Rooster Manoa Lettuce handkerchiefs. Beautiful kitchenware, inspirational messages, soaps, jewelry, Christmas decorations… they’re all here. It’s difficult to categorize what they sell, but all Reid knows is he wanted the store to be something that locals will truly find unique and enjoyable. The staff are friendly and a bit shy, but more than willing to answer your questions.
This is a great option for those who are buying gifts in a hurry. No time to go home and wrap? Choose one of the many great gifts, snag some gift wrap, and plop on their huge, wooden gift wrapping table with scissors and pens to shave off valuable time, and you’re off!
Business hours coincide with the mall; Mondays through Saturdays from 9−9pm, and Sundays from 10−6pm. The store has seen less than a full day of opening time, so the jury is still out on its mass appeal. But I wish great things for this local business who seems to have what it takes: a retro twist for the modern shopper.