Revival! "Kaachan Bento" July 27th 15:10
The food and beverage industry has been hit hard by the spread of the new coronavirus. However, in the midst of such headwinds, there is a woman in Wakayama who has resumed bento sales for the first time in 17 years. The 72-year-old woman was once again inspired by the bonds and support of the local people. (Mizuha Ide, Wakayama Broadcaster)
I was desperate
A box lunch in Kainan City, Wakayama Prefecture, which sells colorful side dishes such as salt-grilled and mackerel eggs made with fresh local mackerel is on sale.
The name is "Ka-chan bento", and it is made by Reiko Sato (72). Mr. Sato started the bento shop "Ka-chan" in 1960, when he was 37 years old.
He lost his husband to death and had to raise his two young sons, so he opened a store with his parents.
Reiko Sato
"I was desperate to eat and live"
Since it was located along a national road with a lot of traffic and it was open 24 hours a day, which is rare in the local area, it became a popular store with a large number of customers, mainly truck drivers.
Even after his parents retired, Mr. Sato continues the store with the help of his eldest son, Hiroshi, and his employees. It is said that he worked desperately by driving a car and delivering lunch boxes.
However, as the convenience stores started to be built around the store, the management gradually became difficult, and in 2003 the lunch box sales were stopped.
My son's store that I thought about...
Mr. Keishi took over the idea of "Kaa-chan" to have local people eat delicious food.
When I opened an izakaya near the bento store, it became popular as a place where you can eat delicious fish.
The new coronavirus suddenly struck while sales were steadily increasing. The store was temporarily closed. He said he was at a loss as to how he could support his employees and family in the future.
I couldn't welcome the customers, so one day I spent time cleaning up the store, and found a cardboard box in the warehouse. This cardboard was one of the big catalysts.
A nostalgic "bag" from the store's warehouse
When I opened it, I found a bag with "Ka-chan" printed inside. It was a take-away item that I used to use at Reiko's bento store.
Keishi says he remembered when he was a junior high school student who helped the store.
Keishi:
“It's a retro design and I miss it. I'm deeply moved to find a bag when the corona is a hard time.”
The moment she saw the bag, her mother, Reiko, was also moved.
Reiko-san
: I was wondering if there was something I could do for my family as much as I had been supported by my family. At that time, I found a bag and I only have lunch box sales. Try again. I wanted to see it.''
In this way, bento sales will resume for the first time in 17 years.
Thoughts in a bag
There was a person who was looking forward to the "revival" of bento. I am Junko Iwasaki, a housewife who lives nearby. A long time ago, my family used to eat "Ka-chan bento".
Mr. Iwasaki lost his husband to cancer 24 years ago, but it was the family of Mr. Sato who mentally supported Mr. Iwasaki who was depressed.
Mr. Iwasaki
"I helped my husband before and when he died. It was a special presence for us (Mr. Sato's family)."
For Ms. Iwasaki, "Kaachan Bento" was an irreplaceable reminder of a fun time with her husband and children.
Mr. Iwasaki gave Reiko a present to celebrate the "revival" and give back. It is a handmade bag of 1000 pieces made of colorful origami.
Reiko carefully attaches each gift bag to the bento while feeling the kindness of the person.
Reiko-san:
"I think it's my best time to do it now. If I see people who say the word "delicious" or come back with nostalgia, I have to work hard."
Only recently, Mr. Hiroshi has reopened the izakaya, but it means that he will continue to sell "Ka-chan bento" for a while.
Connecting the "edge" by taking a step
I think that sometimes I feel so dark that I can't meet my important person or I want to limit what I want to do, because I keep refraining from going out due to the influence of corona. However, like Reiko-san, I felt that taking a step forward with a positive feeling could connect the “relationship” and spice up human relationships.
A "Ka-chan bento" that gives you a feeling of affection and warmth somehow made by your mother. It was also an interview that reminded me of the warmth and kindness of people through the encounter with Reiko, while the feeling of obstruction throughout the society with corona.
Wakayama Broadcaster Reporter
Mizuha Ide
Joined in 2017
Responsible for Wakayama municipal administration and the army