Interview with Store Manager Katsunari Ozaki
We interviewed Katsunari Ozaki, the store manager of Sweets Milcrown.
Can you tell us about the background of opening Sweets Milcrown?
Ozaki
Actually, I am the son of the owner of the electronics store "Edion Tomiya Mizushima" next door, and I helped out at the store for about ten years after graduating from university.
Since then, I had a vague desire to "open my own store." At that time, I didn't have any specific ideas and was troubled about what to do.
Originally, this location was a sports store. When that store closed, they were looking for a new tenant, which led to the opening of Milcrown.
Although I serve as the store manager, I actually have no experience in making sweets.
The reason I opened a cake shop is that two cake shops in the shopping district closed, and my mother was sad about the lack of nearby cake shops.
I knew someone who could make cakes and sweets, so I reached out to them, and I also found someone else to help run the store, allowing us to successfully open Milcrown.
Do you have a concept or values that you prioritize in your store?
Ozaki
We prioritize selling "cakes that everyone in the family can enjoy, cakes that bring smiles to everyone."
Since a cake shop is not a place you visit every day, we put a strong feeling of "may happiness come to you~" into each and every cake and sweet we provide.
For example, one of the popular products in the store, "Rururu Pudding," has faces drawn on it, and I carefully draw each one with the hope that "it will bring smiles to the customers."
Do you have any future goals or plans?
Ozaki
I want to continue developing new products in the future. In fact, I have already created many prototypes of new menu items, but many have been rejected.
Ultimately, it is important that customers are happy, so if I am not satisfied, I cannot sell it.
Additionally, as a new initiative for the store, I plan to create a community library in the back space of the store.
Originally, we also operated a café alongside the cake shop, but we ended café operations in 2023, and I wanted to do something with the vacant space.
I hope the community library will become a place for interaction and a place for relaxation for local residents. In fact, I have already completed the application to the city office, and I am arranging books that I brought from home on the shelves.
Additionally, the desk by the window will be equipped with outlets for use as a co-working space. (200 yen per hour) You can bring your own food and drinks.
Please give a message to the readers
Ozaki
Although we are a small cake shop in the town, I want to provide a place where local residents can feel free to come.
Please stop by at least once!
Conclusion
I have bought cakes and puddings from Milcrown several times, and I learned for the first time that the Mont Blanc with Shibukawa chestnuts is the most popular item.
When I actually tried it, it was very delicious, and I can understand why it has been a popular product since the opening.
During the interview, Ozaki repeatedly mentioned the phrase "sweets that can make the whole family happy," and his strong feelings were clearly conveyed to me.
Since cakes are not something you buy every day, they have a special feeling to them.
I felt very fortunate to have a local cake shop that pours its soul into each cake, wishing for the happiness of everyone who eats them, so that everyone can smile.
Personally, I really like tarts and cakes made with fruits. I heard that the types of fruits used change with the seasons, so I plan to visit regularly to buy them in the future.
Data on Sweets Milcrown
| Name | Sweets Milcrown |
|---|---|
| Address | 4-13 Tokiwacho, Mizushima, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture, Miyake Building |
| Contact | 086-444-1851 |
| Parking | Available |
| Business Hours | 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM |
| Regular Holiday | Sunday |
| Payment Methods |
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| Website | milcrown |
