Interview with the owner, Kowa Takehiro
I spoke with Kowa Takehiro, the owner of Pâtisserie Coa in Soja City, about what inspired him to start the shop and his commitment to making sweets.
Please tell us about the background of your opening.
Kowa
I originally attended school to become an engineer and then got a job at a general company.
However, my mother made sweets, and I had been making sweets since I was little. When I thought about what I wanted to do in high school, I thought making sweets would be nice, and I couldn't give up that dream even after getting a job.
I changed careers in a completely different field, trained for about eight years, and then opened my shop.
What does the name "Coa" mean?
Kowa
When you write "coa" in letters, all the letters are close to a circular shape, right? From that, I wanted to convey the meaning of valuing "connections." Circle = connection.
I want to connect with various people through sweets and nurture those connections. Also, since it sounds similar to my own name, I chose this name.
It seems rare for a pastry shop to sell bread. What made you decide to sell bread as well?
Kowa
One of the shops where I trained mainly made French pastries.
In France, it is common to make products using fermented dough, such as croissants, along with cakes and baked goods.
Also, since Soja City is known as "the town of bread," I thought it would be a good fit with the community, so I decided to focus on bread as well.
What are your commitments and important aspects in making sweets?
Kowa
The most important thing for me is choosing ingredients.
I select domestic ingredients from seasonal materials.
I prioritize choosing ingredients that people can eat with peace of mind.
Please give a message to those who come to your shop.
Kowa
I am always grateful for those who come to my shop.
Since they are purchasing, I want to meet their expectations at the very least, and ideally, I want to exceed them, so I feel I need to work hard every day.
I want to continue to strive to exceed the requests and expectations of my customers.
Finally, please tell us your goals for the future.
Kowa
I want many customers to know about us, and I want our customers to be happy and think, "I want to go again," by creating products that meet their expectations.
In addition to the products we currently offer, I hope to challenge myself to create products like ice cream and crepes that will bring more enjoyment to our customers.
Conclusion
The sweets from Pâtisserie Coa have a comforting taste that makes you want to eat them again and again.
During the interview, customers kept coming in, which conveyed that it is a beloved shop in the community.
Of course, they make great gifts for loved ones, but they also make a nice little reward for yourself.
Why not visit Pâtisserie Coa to find your favorite sweets?
Data of Pâtisserie Coa
| Name | Pâtisserie Coa |
|---|---|
| Address | 1-23-107 Chuo, Soja City, Okayama Prefecture, Finesse K1 |
| Contact | 0866-33-9114 |
| Parking | Available |
| Business Hours | 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM |
| Regular Holidays | Tuesday, Wednesday |
| Payment Methods |
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| Website | Pâtisserie Coa |
