Pursuits: Meet the Women Carrying on Trophy House’s Legacy
Behind the scenes at the decades-old South King Street shop, the most-valued prize is connection to community.
“I’ve probably done thousands,” Trophy House owner Tammy Carson says of the number of plaques and other awards she’s made since starting at the 73-year-old business on South King Street in 1982. Back then, she was a graphic design student at UH Mānoa and took the gig because the shop belonged to her aunt and uncle, Clarysse and Peter Crane, who acquired it the year prior.
“Gradually, I fell in love with it,” says Carson, who took over ownership in 1990. “I really love working with my hands, so I like the engraving and putting trophies and plaques together.” Carson even met her husband at Trophy House: “He came in to order trophies for a hang-gliding event.”
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The same month that Carson started, manager Loving Farias came on board to run the front of house, her gregariousness the perfect balance to Carson’s self-admitted shyness. In the four decades since (Carmon took over the business in 1990), the duo have helped countless locals celebrate life’s biggest milestones and victories.
A few things have changed over the years—according to Farias, “fantasy football trophies and recently pickleball awards” have become popular. But the joy they’ve experienced has remained steadfast. “It’s very rewarding,” Carson says. “It’s a wonderful feeling.”
Open Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., 1301 S King St., trophy-house.com
