Interview with Shuji Takatsuki, owner of "small ville"
How he started his shop at "Kurashiki Department Store"
First of all, what made you want to start a restaurant?
Takahashi
In middle school, I learned that there was a privately owned clothing store nearby, and I thought it was interesting that there were independent shops, not chain stores.
Since then, I began to admire local, down-to-earth shops. I wanted to work at an independent shop, so during my university days, I took a part-time job at a privately owned restaurant.
I was in charge of cooking at that part-time job, and that was when I first discovered the joy of cooking.
Please tell us about how you started your shop at "Kurashiki Department Store".
Takahashi
The main street in front of JR Kurashiki Station was my first choice, so I wanted to open a shop there.
However, there were no properties available at the time on the street in front of the station. Then, while I was casually walking around, I stumbled upon this "Kurashiki Department Store".
I was born in Kurashiki, and when I was in high school, I often came to eat the 500 yen soba set at "Yakko Soba" in "Kurashiki Department Store". I remembered that I thought it was an interesting street back then.
I found an available property just in time and decided to go with this one.
In fact, when I was in high school, I also thought about wanting to go to Tokyo, but the reason I started my shop here is that I really liked Kurashiki.
Friends who went out of the prefecture would come to visit my shop, so I thought it would be better for me to stay in Kurashiki.
Indeed, this "Kurashiki Department Store" was a place full of memories for you.
Takahashi
Yes. When I started this shop in 2017, there were few shops and it was dark, so I had the thought of wanting to brighten up this area.
If you go through the shopping street from JR Kurashiki Station, you can come without getting wet on rainy days, and I was attracted to the location being a 7-minute walk from JR Kurashiki Station. I also like that it has a calm atmosphere without being too noisy.
The thoughts behind the shop name "small ville"
Please tell us the origin of the shop name "small ville".
Takahashi
I named it after the label of my favorite record company.
Also, "ville" means "city or village" in French, and the English "village" means "village".
Since vegetables and wine come from villages, I hope that through this shop, it can become a place where everyone can gather casually.
The shop is not very big, so I named it "small ville".
Commitment to cooking
Next, please tell us about your commitment when making dishes.
Takahashi
I focus on how to bring out the sweetness of the vegetables and how to enhance the goodness of the ingredients without masking them. Of course, the same goes for meat and fish.
Also, I am conscious of how to pair with what the customers are drinking when serving.
Right now, I am cooking this dish with this flavor because this customer is drinking this sake. If you are dining out and have options, I hope you choose good options.
Can you tell us about a time when you felt glad to run this shop?
Takahashi
It makes me happy that there are customers who come back multiple times and that they can make new discoveries at this shop.
I feel good when customers learn about things like, “What is this ingredient? What is this wine? What is this combination?” When they go from “What is this?” to “Delicious, delicious,” that is the most rewarding for me.
About "Harenomino Kurashiki"
In November 2019, the "Harenomino Kurashiki 2019" event is scheduled to be held, and you will participate again this time, right? How was your participation last year in 2018?
Takahashi
There are customers who started coming because of "Harenomino Kurashiki." Some people learned that the "Kurashiki Department Store" was still around through "Harenomino Kurashiki."
I think it is a good event that serves as an opportunity for people to learn about the shop.
Future Prospects for the Shop
Finally, please tell us about the future prospects for the shop.
Takahashi
I want to continue this shop for a long time, in a small way. I am not thinking about expanding or operating in another location.
I am thinking about how I can evolve in this shop. In the future, I hope to offer set meals and curry for lunch.
To make customers happy, I want to constantly introduce new things at this shop.
Conclusion
You can experience a slightly different special space, and everything you eat is delicious at my favorite shop, "small ville."
While I was taking photos during the interview, a person from a nearby restaurant casually said, “He’s handsome, so make sure to take a good picture of him~,” and I felt a warm atmosphere unique to the "Kurashiki Department Store."
Mr. Takahashi, who loves his hometown of Kurashiki, runs this small bar where everyone can gather.
Why not encounter new "delicious" things that you have never known before?
Data for small ville (スモール ヴィレ)
| Name | small ville (スモール ヴィレ) |
|---|---|
| Address | 1-4-2 Tsurugata, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | 086-423-4567 |
| Parking | None |
| Business Hours | 5 PM - 1 AM (Last order at 12 AM) |
| Regular Holidays | Sunday If Sunday is a holiday, open |
| Payment Methods |
|
| Reservation | Available |
| Seating | 20 seats: Counter: 7 seats, Table: 13 seats |
| Smoking | Completely non-smoking |
| Toilet | Western-style toilet |
| Website | small ville (スモールヴィレ) |
