Interview with Yukari Tozawa of pain porte
The background of starting a shop in Mabi and the origin of the shop's name
I heard that Mr. Minoru Tozawa is from Kojima in Kurashiki City, and Ms. Yukari Tozawa is from Tamashima.
Can you tell us about the background of starting your shop in Mabi?
Tozawa
Actually, it was just a coincidence.
When we came to this location for preliminary research, we thought it would be lively since the station and the Kurashiki City Mabi branch office were nearby, making it the town's center.
On the opening day, July 19, 2013, neighbors came to visit.
However, after that, the number of customers did not increase much…
After that, did the number of customers gradually increase?
Tozawa
We wanted to avoid being overly busy, so we did not place large advertisements and did not promote ourselves.
However, neighbors said, "It's delicious, so I told my friends."
Word of mouth spread rapidly, and sales steadily increased.
We weren't using social media at all, but customers told us, "You should do it!" and we started Twitter and Instagram.
Since we started social media about three years after the shop opened, it was ultimately late (laughs).
Can you tell us the origin of the shop's name?
Tozawa
“porte” means “door”.
When you open the shop's door, there are many breads lined up, and I want it to be a shop that makes you think, "Wow!!" and feel happy.
Also, it plays on the "to" in our name "Tozawa."
I want you to enjoy eating. About the commitment of pain porte
Please tell us about the recommended breads and points of commitment at pain porte.
Tozawa
Our shop does not have a recommended bread.
We take pride in making every bread.
Everyone has different preferences for bread.
We aim to offer breads that can be enjoyed by everyone from small children to the elderly.
Bread is a staple food, second only to rice.
Since it is something we consume daily, I want you to enjoy eating it.
Our shop offers a variety of breads, from hard to soft, so I hope you will explore your favorite breads.
Additionally, we are committed to providing freshly baked bread, so even if your favorite bread is not available, there should be freshly baked options.
I hope you will continue to challenge yourself with new breads.
The thoughts on deciding to reopen after the heavy rain disaster in July 2018
If you don't mind, could you share your experience during the heavy rain disaster in July 2018?
Tozawa
On the night of July 6, 2018, I was debating whether to evacuate when the neighborhood association president came and said, "You should evacuate."
When I tried to head to Makibi Park for evacuation, there was already a massive traffic jam.
I attempted to go to my family home in Tamashima by crossing the Miyata Bridge, but the bridge was already starting to flood and was impassable.
Since it was already difficult to leave Mabi, I evacuated to a high ground within Mabi and turned off the engine to sleep, as I had little gasoline.
Of course, I hardly slept at all...
When it got light, I saw that my house was submerged.
When I took a long detour from the east to return to my family home in Tamashima, I was shocked.
There was an ordinary daily life there, and it felt like a different world from Mabi.
In the end, even the second floor was flooded up to my knees, the ceiling had collapsed, and bicycles were flowing in through the kitchen door on the first floor, leaving a disastrous state.
After that, many people helped me, and the cleanup began.
That sounds tough...
What made you decide to reopen your shop in Mabi?
Tozawa
I thought it would be quicker and easier to sell this place and reopen somewhere else.
I didn't know how customers felt, and I thought customers wouldn't be troubled if the shop disappeared.
However, after the heavy rain disaster in July 2018, during the cleanup of the shop, many people sent supportive messages to the social media of Pan Porte.
Even those who were affected and had their own cleanup to do came to check on the shop, saying, "I hope you reopen."
My husband and I thought, "We don't know what will happen from now on, but we won't know unless we try," and we decided that if there were people waiting for us, we wanted to reopen in Mabi.
I think it was three days after the heavy rain disaster in July 2018.
I borrowed the kitchen of a friend’s bakery to make bread and set up a prefab in the parking lot right in front of the affected store, reopening for business in the temporary store on September 19, 2018.
I was mainly in charge of sales in the prefab, and there were people who cried tears of joy saying, "I can buy bread again...".
Because of those people, I was able to keep going this far.
Before the disaster, I hardly had the opportunity to talk with customers, but after reopening, I had more chances to meet and talk with them, which was nice.
I was happy to learn directly how customers felt and that they needed our shop.
Events to deepen exchanges within Mabi
There were various reconstruction events in Mabi.
The "Mabi Festival" was a great event, wasn't it?
Tozawa
I heard that people in Mabi who were not affected by the disaster were unsure of what to say to those who were affected and tended to stay at home.
The vocal unit imim planned an event where both those affected and those not affected could gather and enjoy.
Many people came to the "Mabi Festival," which was created and held by imim, the townspeople, and businesses, and I was able to see them enjoying themselves with smiles.
I really thought it was a great event.
Reopening of the store in July 2019 and thoughts at that time
And you reopened in July 2019, right?
What were your feelings at that time?
Tozawa
For a year after the heavy rain disaster in July 2018, I was driven by the thought of "I have to do this (※)" and pushed forward.
The date for the grand reopening was set, but there were times when my feelings and preparations couldn't keep up, and I found myself crying more often for no reason.
Until then, I hadn't cried at all.
I think my feelings were unstable.
Now I have calmed down a bit, but I still have ups and downs emotionally.
※ "I have to do this" is Okayama dialect for "I have to do it."
What I Want to Convey from the Disaster Area Now
As of October 2019, there has been significant damage from Typhoon No. 19.
Is there anything you would like to convey again from the disaster area now?
Tozawa
I believe that the barriers to evacuation should be lowered as much as possible, and I would like clearer information.
I have heard voices saying, "It's difficult to evacuate because I have pets and babies."
I would like to create something like an evacuation shelter map that shows which shelters accept pets and what kind of support is available.
It’s okay to evacuate early—I hope there will be more reports on this.
Also, after seeing the reports of the recent damage, there are many people in Mabi who feel frustrated and heartbroken because they want to help but cannot.
Right now, I think it’s important not to rush and to steadily do what each of us can do.
About the Future of Pain Porte
Thank you.
Finally, please tell us about the future prospects of the store.
Tozawa
With the support of the people of Mabi, we have come this far, so I am filled with gratitude and wish for the recovery of Mabi by challenging crowdfunding to create new confections, madeleines, and bamboo shoot cookies.
I hope that Pain Porte's bread will continue to be a part of everyone's lives.
Conclusion
The bakery I love, "pain porte (パンポルト)."
Before the heavy rain in July 2018, I had never spoken with Mr. and Mrs. Tozawa, but when I went to buy bread during their temporary store's operation, they spoke to me, which led to our conversations.
Yukari said with a laugh, "As we incorporate customer requests, my husband keeps increasing the variety of bread, and even though we have reduced the shelves compared to before, we are struggling."
I thought again that they are a truly wonderful couple who get along well.
There are still many difficult realities and emotional struggles, and the true recovery of Mabi may be far off.
However, in Mabi, there is a bakery run by a kind couple who make delicious bread filled with heartfelt intentions.
Please visit this bakery run by a bright couple who are uplifting Mabi and find your favorite bread.
Data of pain porte (パンポルト)
| Name | pain porte (パンポルト) |
|---|---|
| Address | 1174-1 Ayata, Mabi-cho, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | 086-451-2512 |
| Parking | Available |
| Business Hours | 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Regular Holidays | Tuesday, Wednesday |
| Payment Methods |
|
| Reservation | Available |
| Smoking | Completely non-smoking |
| Website | Pain Porte Instagram |
