Interview with Ms. Yurika Kumoto, General Manager of Mark ole Cafe
The Ogo (Kumoto) couple took over the shop 14 years ago in 2009.
I asked Ms. Yurika Kumoto, the general manager and representative, about her thoughts on the shop.
Can you tell us about the history of the shop?
Kumoto (honorific omitted)
My husband, Shingo Ogo, is the representative director, and I am the general manager.
Both my husband and I originally worked at other restaurants.
In fact, this shop was run by a senior colleague at that time, but due to various circumstances, we ended up taking over the shop.
That was 14 years ago (2009).
Until the shop was revitalized
Did you face any difficulties after taking over?
Kumoto
I struggled to build trust with the employees.
I took over the management, but since I also inherited the employment of the employees, I was confused about building trust with them as well as managing the shop.
Since my husband and I came in without any trust established, it took time for them to believe in us.
How did you build that trust?
Kumoto
In that case, we just had to work steadily.
It didn't happen magically right away.
We analyzed what was wrong with the previous methods and gradually changed our approach, and also made sure to communicate well to get closer to the employees on-site.
We worked on these things steadily over a long period of time.
Were there other factors that contributed to revitalizing the shop?
Kumoto
I believe the most important factor is the good character of the people.
The employees, of course, and the customers are all wonderful people with great character.
Strangely enough, we hardly receive complaints.
Of course, it's not that we never receive them, but I feel that most of the time they are saying it with the shop's best interests in mind.
For example, if a customer contacts us later saying that we made a mistake with their change of 200 yen.
When we say we will refund it, they often respond with something like, "It's fine to do it next time I come in."
Rather than complaints, it feels more like they are trying to make us aware of such mistakes.
I believe that we have been able to run the shop until today because we have been blessed with good people.
Can you tell us about the features of the shop?
Kumoto
My husband is the chef, and he has experience in Italian cuisine, has studied Spanish cuisine, and has also worked in French cuisine.
Also, we have desserts.
You can change the dessert to your favorite cake, and you can also buy fresh sweets from the showcase, which is a feature of our shop.
In terms of location, we also have a large parking lot.
We can accommodate 60 cars.
Recommended products
Can you tell us about your recommended products?
Kumoto
The highlight is the lunch menu.
Lunch can be enjoyed not only during the day but also at night.
So it feels like we are serving lunch all day long.
The main dish for lunch changes occasionally, but the side dishes and desserts change monthly.
Among the main dishes, which one is popular?
Kumoto
Among the main dishes, the hamburger is the most popular.
The hamburger is made with 100% beef and has a soft texture.
In addition to demi-glace sauce, it can also be enjoyed with different seasonings like teriyaki sauce.
Also, as my secret recommendation, we have a menu item called Grilled Pork Loin.
We use a marinade made with a blend of various herbs called Herbes de Provence.
This results in a very tender finish.
Thoughts about the shop and the future
Can you share your thoughts about the shop?
Kumoto
Since we have been running the shop for 14 years, the age range of our customers has also increased.
Therefore, we are not aiming to be a shop that chases trends like Instagrammable spots.
I want it to be a place where grandmothers, middle-aged people, and young people can all feel at home.
I want it to be a café where people of all ages can relax, not a place where they are unsure about dress codes or how to order.
Is there anything you would like to try in the future?
Kumoto
This time, I will challenge myself for the first time with Kurashiki Afternoon Tea.
There were times during the COVID-19 pandemic when customers couldn't come, and it was a tough period.
Because of that, I decided to participate, hoping to offer products that will delight our customers.
I want to set the prices as low as possible.
However, since it is still a business, I am not sure how much I can keep the costs down.
I hope to gradually refine our offerings to bring joy to local people and customers.
Conclusion
Mark ole Cafe offers a rich selection of lunches and desserts using seasonal ingredients.
The struggles during the early days of opening stand in stark contrast to the wonderful smiles of the Ogo (Kumoto) couple.
I believe that it is precisely because they have overcome such difficulties and continued to make efforts that they have been loved by the local people of Tamashima for many years.
Dining in the bright and spacious interior is colorful and enjoyable for the eyes as well.
If you visit Tamashima, please take the opportunity to check it out.
Data of Mark ole Cafe (マークオーレカフェ)
| Name | Mark ole Cafe (マークオーレカフェ) |
|---|---|
| Address | 1952-6 Tamashima, Kurashiki City |
| Contact | 086-523-5366 |
| Parking | Available 60 parking spaces *Shared with Tenmaya |
| Business Hours | 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM (Last order at 5:00 PM) |
| Regular Holiday | Tuesday |
| Payment Methods |
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| Reservation | Available |
| Seating | 60 seats |
| Smoking | Non-smoking (Smoking allowed in designated areas only) |
| Toilet | Western-style toilet |
| Website | Mark ole Cafe│Official Instagram |
