LAHAINA – Lahaina Galleries – a fixture in the art business in Lahaina for almost 40 years – will close its 828 Front St. location on April 30, 2016.

Jim Killett and his wife, Nancy, opened the first Lahaina Galleries location in 1976 on Lahainaluna Road, where the current Lahaina Grill is located.

Jim said he hopes to open another Lahaina location if a favorable opportunity arises.

Lahaina Galleries was a major factor in the growth of the art market on Maui. National ads in prestigious magazines, shows in numerous Mainland cities and the popularity of artists Robert Lyn Nelson, Guy Buffet and Fredrick Hart fueled the success that inspired other galleries to open on Maui.

Although Jim entered the art business without any art background or related experience, he and Nelson were instrumental in creating the huge “marine art” genre that evolved and flourished in Lahaina.

His galleries will continue, business-as-usual, at The Shops at Wailea, Maui; The Shops at Mauna Lani, Big Island; and in Newport Beach, California (Fashion Island).

Over the years, Lahaina Galleries has had locations in Kapalua and Whalers Village in West Maui, San Francisco, Oregon and Florida.

Lahaina Galleries also announced a major liquidation sale.

“Our beautiful Front Street gallery houses a lot of art which we will no longer have room for after the close. Therefore, I have decided the timing was right to liquidate most gallery-owned inventory in the three other locations as well, which are also at maximum density. We are not able to adequately feature all of the artwork that deserves to be seen on a regular basis, so this is a win-win opportunity for everyone,” Jim said.

For more information, call Lahaina Galleries’ Front Street location at 661-6284. Hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.