KIHEI — A vast warehouse-cum-shop in the Maui beach town of Kihei has become an unlikely magnet for locals, tourists and collectors with its inventory of furniture, art and other curiosities amassed from estates of wealthy, now-deceased owners.
Where the curious come to browse
The business, rebranded as "Very Rich Dead People’s Things For Sale," is owned by 83-year-old David Ross, who said the name change substantially increased foot traffic. The facility houses a dense array of items, including numerous works of art, large crystals and an assortment of lamps, furnishings and novelty pieces.
"I would say there's a million items in this shop," Ross told The Independent.
Ross said his collection includes more than 2,000 pieces of art, upwards of 200 amethyst crystals — some towering as tall as 10 feet — and more than 200 lamps. He singled out an almost four-foot amethyst shaped like a penis that he declines to sell because it draws visitors who want to take photographs.
Highlights and local appeal
Among the distinct pieces Ross lists are a dining table fashioned from an airplane wing from a 1939 DC-3 and several life-size 18th-century statues resembling Chinese warriors. The eclectic mix has attracted both everyday shoppers and visiting celebrities, he said.
- Location: Kihei, Maui
- Owner: David Ross, age 83
- Notable items: large amethysts, airplane-wing table, life-size statues, extensive art collection
The shop’s peculiar name and packed aisles have made it a local talking point and a stop on some visitors’ itineraries. Ross credited the attention to the memorable rebranding, which he said caused his business to triple after he adopted the new moniker.
Small-business and tourism context
For Maui, businesses like this one illustrate how specialized retail can tap into the island’s tourism economy while serving residents interested in antiques and unique home pieces. The warehouse’s heavy visual draw and celebrity visits help sustain a niche retail model in a market that mixes souvenir shopping with high-end estate sales.
| Category | Approximate Count |
|---|---|
| Art pieces | 2,000+ |
| Amethyst crystals | 200+ |
| Lamps | 200+ |
Visitors interested in seeing the collection should be prepared for a warehouse environment rather than a curated gallery. The appeal lies in discovery: unexpected finds, large statement pieces and the oddities that come from decades of estate sourcing.
This kind of retail spot underscores how distinctive local businesses contribute to Maui’s cultural and commercial landscape — offering both household goods and a slice of island storytelling for those who stop by.
