Creating a store that resonates with customers' feelings. Interview with Miwa Hatayama of Cafe Restaurant WOOD STOCK
Woodstock, known as "the log house store in Kasaoka," how did it come to open?
Hatayama
I see, that makes me happy. Cafe Restaurant WOODSTOCK is owned by Murota Construction Co., Ltd.
Originally, this was supposed to be a log house exhibition hall, but due to local regulations, it could not be built as an exhibition hall.
So, the plan was changed to allow visitors to see it as a restaurant, and we were approached to take it on.
To create a comfortable and healing space unique to log houses where customers can enjoy their meals, we exchanged opinions with the owner on everything from the kitchen to the interior of the store.
That's why it's a log house. Looking at the store's Facebook, it seems that the number of tourist customers is increasing.
Hatayama
It seems to be a popular route for touring that leads to Ibara City and Yakage Town. It appears to be increasing through word of mouth. There’s nothing around here (laughs).
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of customers decreased significantly for a while, but recently (as of July 2020) it has been recovering. We have many regulars from the neighborhood, and on weekends, there are many families, so people of various ages are using it.
There are many elderly people in this area, so if they call ahead, we can accommodate wheelchair users, and we also have a small baby bed available on the second floor.
I hear the daily lunch menu is recommended, but do you have any particular focus?
Hatayama
First of all, we aim to serve freshly made dishes. We do not prepare anything in advance; we cook hamburgers and fried items only after receiving an order.
We strive to serve hot dishes while they are hot and cold dishes while they are cold, making sure to do the obvious things in an obvious way.
The daily menu is also quite varied. Isn’t it difficult to have so many options?
Hatayama
If I listen to customers' requests for this and that, the menu has ended up expanding this much. If there’s meat, they want fish too, and they want croquettes and gratin (laughs).
Since they come all this way, I want to be able to meet the customers' feelings.
The menu is created by incorporating the opinions of the chef and the store staff, providing seasonal items. For example, in summer, we have cold pasta, and in winter, we have fried oysters and gratin.
The store opened in 2004, and this year (2020) marks 16 years. Looking back, how has it been?
Hatayama
Well, balancing it with raising children has been tough. When my kids were small, I would sometimes comfort them while serving customers; it was like walking a tightrope every day.
Since we are open on weekends, I hardly got to see sports days or events. I would just sneak out for an hour… something like that.
I think I made them endure a lot. But I wonder if they grew up watching their parents like that. Now that my children are working adults and university students, I can say that.
Over the past 16 years, I realize once again that I have been able to continue thanks to my family, staff, and customers.
Since I was in elementary school, it has been my dream to own a shop. I was able to fulfill that dream by operating my shop under the owner Murata Construction, but it is still quite challenging.
However, I have been able to keep going until now thanks to everyone around me.
A homely and friendly shop, Cafe Rest WOODSTOCK
In the rural landscape of Kasaoka, there is a café restaurant that seems like it came straight out of a story, Café Restaurant WOODSTOCK.
This cute log house restaurant is homely and warm, making it a wonderful place you want to visit again and again.
The lunch options change daily, so you might really want to go every day!
You can enjoy it in various situations, thinking, "Next time, I’ll go for lunch with friends," "I want to have parfaits with the kids," or "A family dinner would be nice too."
A heartwarming, at-home restaurant, Café Restaurant WOODSTOCK.
It’s a place I hope everyone, including family and friends, will visit.
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