An important message to our loyal customers.
As we approach our 1 year anniversary I would like to give heartfelt thanks to each and everyone of you for your patronage throughout the year.
Our company goals have always been modest. To provide authentic Hawaiian style poke to the Bellingham community and it’s visitors, using fresh ingredients, including fresh Hawaiian ahi. We take pride in our customer service and the spirit of aloha that we try to create with each visit.
It has been brought to our attention from “Aloha Poke Holdings LLC.” in Chicago IL that we have been infringing on their business name. Zach Friedlander, the owner of Aloha Poke Co., has aggressive plans for expansion and is trying to exploit and capitalize on the recent popularity of poke. He filed for and was granted a registered trademark patent on the words “Aloha Poke” shortly after we opened last year.
We have received legal correspondence demanding that we cease using the words “Aloha” and “Aloha Poke” in all marketing of our product. The demand includes we remove the words “Aloha” and “Aloha Poke” from our business name, domain name, FB page and other social media sites.
We chose to use the word “Aloha” in our business name because of the special meaning that it holds for the people of Hawaii. The word “Aloha” has taken on a deeper meaning than hello, goodbye or an expression of love. It is a spiritual way of life and something we feel should be shared and spread rather than restricted in use.
We have explored our legal position to continue to operate as “Aloha Poke Fairhaven” but are sad to say that we will be required to change our business name very soon. We still plan maintain our roots and continue serve awesome Hawaiian style poke with love and aloha. You may trademark the name but you can’t trademark the spirit!
Mahalo
I like that others have suggested mahalo. That was my first thought. But really, you bring us so much more than words.
