Kurashiki City has many long-established businesses that have been operating since the Meiji period, and some have continued since the Edo period.
Even among the shops we pass by every day without a second thought, one day a long-established business may emerge.
“Cheer on the Long-Established Businesses of the Future!,” held on Sunday, November 17, 2024, is a market bringing together shops that have only recently opened in the Takahashi River Basin.
I’m curious what these future long-established businesses are like.
We spoke with the organizers to learn more about “Cheer on the Long-Established Businesses of the Future!”
The information provided was current when this article was published in November 2024. Please note that it may differ from current information.
What Is “Cheer on the Long-Established Businesses of the Future!”?
“Cheer on the Long-Established Businesses of the Future!” is a market held on Sunday, November 17, 2024.
It brings together new shops in the Takahashi River Basin that have been in business for five years or less, along with popular local shops that serve as their more experienced counterparts.
Check the image below to see which shops will be participating.
The seven shops that have only recently opened have little experience participating in events, so this may be a chance to discover some great new shops.
You can enjoy delicious food, try a workshop with your family, or unwind with an esthetic treatment—there are plenty of ways to have fun.
The event will take place at the outdoor event plaza at Ario Kurashiki and Kurashiki Mirai Park. It’s also appealing that you can easily drop by while shopping.
Interview with the Organizers
We interviewed Matsui Kanako and Kataoka Yusuke of the Kurashiki City Commerce and Industry Division about “Cheer on the Long-Established Businesses of the Future!”
What kind of event is “Cheer on the Long-Established Businesses of the Future!”?
Kataoka (honorifics omitted)
“Cheer on the Long-Established Businesses of the Future!” is a market where shops that have just opened in the Takahashi River Basin participate alongside shops with extensive experience at events. It has been held every year since 2015.
Since many of the shops are participating in an event for the first time, I think it’s a market where visitors can make new discoveries and say, “I didn’t know there was a shop like this!”
Matsui (honorifics omitted)
The phrase “future long-established businesses” expresses our hope that the shops that have opened will continue operating for many years to come, long enough to become long-established businesses.
How did the event come about?
Matsui
The Kurashiki City Commerce and Industry Division has long supported new businesses, including through subsidies. As part of that work, we came up with event participation support as a more concrete way to further assist new business owners.
I think shops that have just opened often want to participate in events but don’t know what to do. So we planned a market where new business owners can learn the ropes of event participation alongside shops with plenty of experience.
Rather than limiting our support to subsidies, we want the city to work alongside new businesses and support them as they grow.
Kataoka
For example, we’ve eliminated participation fees to reduce the financial burden and held an “Event Vendor Seminar” where participants can learn practical techniques, making it easier for new business owners to take part. We hope this event will help them take that first step.
What kind of seminar is the “Event Vendor Seminar”?
Kataoka
As a condition of participating in “Cheer on the Long-Established Businesses of the Future!,” new business owners were required to attend the “Event Vendor Seminar” hosted by the Kurashiki City Commerce and Industry Division.
The Event Vendor Seminar began in 2023. Experienced vendors serve as instructors, and participants learn how to arrange products so they’re easy to pick up and how to create an eye-catching booth. Many people who weren’t participating in “Cheer on the Long-Established Businesses of the Future!” also attended.
I think it offered very useful knowledge for people who say, “I have no idea what to do.”
What was the response to the previous event?
Matsui
When we held it in 2023, many people stopped by while shopping, and we often saw families with children.
There were times when it rained heavily, but more people came than we expected, and the whole venue felt lively.
There was also an incident where strong winds blew products away, but some new business owners told us, “We gained experience we can put to use in the future by learning how to prepare and respond in bad weather.”
Kataoka
Looking at the survey responses from new business owners, many said that the “Event Vendor Seminar was extremely helpful.”
Some also said, “I’d like to participate in various events in the future,” so I think the event helped new business owners take the next step.
What are the highlights or distinctive features of the event?
Matsui
Events focusing on shops that have just opened are rare even in Okayama Prefecture, making this a market with a distinctive concept.
Of course, we hope visitors enjoy discovering wonderful new shops, and we also hope this will become a market where people who want to support newly opened businesses can come together.
Kataoka
Personally, I think this is a chance for visitors to become regular customers. I’m sure shop owners will remember customers who have been coming since the early days of their business.
I hope you’ll find a favorite shop at this event that you’ll want to visit regularly.
What kind of impact do you hope this event will have on the region?
Kataoka
I’d be delighted if “Cheer on the Long-Established Businesses of the Future!” could be a new step for participating vendors and help their businesses grow, continue, and develop in the future.
I think some visitors may also be interested in starting a business. I hope that seeing newly opened shops working hard will inspire more people to say, “I’d like to start a business too.” I hope their community will continue to grow.
Matsui
This event involves the entire Takahashi River Basin, so I think it will also foster connections across municipal boundaries and collaboration among business owners.
We hope that, while making use of the connections among business owners, customers will join in too, and the event will help energize the entire Takahashi River Basin.
Do you have a message for our readers?
Kataoka
This market offers shopping, dining, and hands-on workshops, so we hope people of all ages, from children to adults, will come along.
Please feel free to drop by while shopping at MITSUI OUTLET PARK Kurashiki or Ario Kurashiki.
We’d also love for business owners interested in participating in events to come by, as they may find ideas they can use in the future.
Matsui
We hope you’ll enjoy not only discovering new shops, but also exchanging with the shop owners.
We’d also be delighted if “Cheer on the Long-Established Businesses of the Future!” could be one of the things that encourages people who have just started a business, or are thinking about starting one, to participate in an event.
We hope you’ll see how hard these business owners are working and show them your support.
From the Writer
As its name suggests, “Cheer on the Long-Established Businesses of the Future!” is a market that makes you want to support local business owners working hard. I was also impressed by the city’s extensive support system.
At most markets, people usually enjoy shopping or eating and then leave, but “Cheer on the Long-Established Businesses of the Future!” seems like the kind of event that will make you want to keep following your favorite shops even after it’s over.
I’m already looking forward to discovering shops that are taking part for the first time. I hope there’ll be a shop I can become a fan of.
There will be something for everyone, from children to adults, so please come along with your family as part of a weekend outing or while you’re out shopping.
Event Details: Cheer on the Future Long-Established Shops
| Name | Cheer on the Future Long-Established Shops |
|---|---|
| Date | Sunday, November 17, 2024 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. |
| Location | Ario Kurashiki Outdoor Event Plaza and Kurashiki Mirai Park |
| Website | Kurashiki City Commerce Division |
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