Interview with Takatsuki Shuji, owner of “small ville”
How he came to open his shop in “Kurashiki Department Store”
First, what made you decide to open a restaurant?
Takatsuki
When I was in middle school, I learned that there was an independently run clothing store in my neighborhood, and that was what first made me think that independently run shops, rather than chain stores, were interesting.
From then on, I came to admire down-to-earth shops rooted in the local community. I wanted to work at an independently run shop, so the part-time job I started in college was at an independently run restaurant.
I was put in charge of cooking at that job, and that was when I first discovered how enjoyable cooking could be.
Could you tell us how you came to open your shop in “Kurashiki Department Store”?
Takatsuki
I wanted to open a shop along the main street in front of JR Kurashiki Station, since that’s the main area.
But at the time, there weren’t any available properties on the street in front of the station. Then, while I was wandering around, I happened to come across “Kurashiki Department Store.”
I was born in Kurashiki, and when I was in high school, I often came to “Yacco Soba” in “Kurashiki Department Store” to eat their 500-yen soba set meal. I remembered thinking even back then that it was an interesting street.
I happened to find a vacant property, and decided this was the place.
When I was in high school, I did think about moving to Tokyo, but I opened a shop here because, after all, I love Kurashiki.
Friends who moved outside the prefecture come to visit my shop, and that made me think I should probably stay here in Kurashiki.
So “Kurashiki Department Store” really was a place full of memories for you.
Takatsuki
Yes. When I opened this shop in 2017, there weren’t many shops here and it was dark, so I also wanted to brighten up this area.
You can walk here from JR Kurashiki Station through the shopping arcade without getting wet on rainy days, and I was also drawn to the location, just a seven-minute walk from JR Kurashiki Station. I also like that it’s calm and not too bustling.
The meaning behind the name “small ville”
Could you tell us where the name “small ville” comes from?
Takatsuki
I named it after the label of a record company I like.
Also, “ville” means “city or settlement” in French, while the English word “village” means “a small community.”
Vegetables and wine come from villages, so I named it with the hope that people would connect with one another through this shop, and that it would become a place where everyone can gather casually.
The shop isn’t very big; it’s small, so I named it “small ville.”
His approach to cooking
Next, could you tell us about your approach when cooking?
Takatsuki
I focus on how to bring out the sweetness of vegetables and, without losing the good qualities of the ingredients, how to draw them out. The same goes for meat and fish, of course.
I also pay attention to how the food pairs with what customers are drinking.
I cook with the customer’s drink in mind—for example, if they’re drinking a particular wine, I’ll season the dish accordingly. If you’re eating out and have choices, I want you to make a good choice.
Could you tell us what you’re glad about when it comes to running the shop?
Takatsuki
I’m glad that we have customers who come back again and again, and that they make new discoveries at this shop.
I’m happy when customers learn about something and enjoy it, asking, “What is this ingredient? What is this wine? What is this combination?” It makes me happiest when they go from “What’s this?” to saying, “Delicious, delicious!”
About “Harenomino Kurashiki”
“Harenomino Kurashiki 2019” is scheduled to be held in November 2019, and you’ll be participating again this year. How was it when you took part last year, in 2018?
Takatsuki
Some customers started coming to the shop because of “Harenomino Kurashiki.” Some people learned through “Harenomino Kurashiki” that “Kurashiki Department Store” was still open.
I think it’s a great event that gives people a chance to learn about the shop.
His vision for the shop
Finally, could you tell us about your vision for the shop?
Takatsuki
I want to keep this shop going for a long time, at a steady pace. I’m not thinking about expanding or operating somewhere else.
I’m thinking about how I can keep evolving this shop. In the future, I’d like to offer set meals and curry for lunch.
I want to keep offering new things at this shop so that our customers will enjoy them.
From the Writer
“small ville” is one of my favorite restaurants, where you can enjoy a special atmosphere that’s a little different from the usual, and everything you eat is delicious.
While I was taking photos during the interview, someone from a nearby restaurant cheerfully called out, “He’s handsome, so make sure you get a good shot of him!” That warmed my heart and gave me a sense of the unique atmosphere of “Kurashiki Department Store.”
This is a small bar run by Takatsuki, who loves his hometown of Kurashiki and wants to keep running a restaurant in this town where everyone can gather.
Why not discover a new kind of “delicious” that you haven’t known before?
small ville details
| Name | small ville |
|---|---|
| Address | 1-4-2 Tsurugata, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | 086-423-4567 |
| Parking | None |
| Hours | 5:00 p.m.–1:00 a.m. (last order at midnight) |
| Closed | Sunday Open if Sunday falls on a public holiday |
| Payment methods |
|
| Reservations | Accepted |
| Seating | 20 seats: 7 counter seats, 13 table seats |
| Smoking | Entirely non-smoking |
| Restroom | Western-style toilet |
| Website | smalle ville |
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