"Fifteen years is a long time," a customer at the counter told me.
I said, "Well, it's like I took a three-year break because of COVID, so I don't feel like I've been doing it for 15 years."
But actually, that's a bit of a lie.
It's true that business was slow during that time, but for us it was a very meaningful time. That's what I honestly think.
While the restaurant was empty, I felt like giving up a few times, but I held the chef's hand and encouraged myself.
We then started selling New Zealand wine online.
Now, we have a new store here that is not the same as it was back then. And we have connections with people all over the country that we have gained through selling Bokumo Wine.
So, the Bokumo we see now is in its second form after shedding its skin.
And the presence of those who are enjoying this second form and those who are supporting us is like a "permit to stay here even after COVID-19."
Some people have been with their Bokumo for a long time, from long before they molted until today.
Now I am a guardian watching over my child's growth. I have nothing but gratitude. I will be careful not to let my 15-year-old son go through a rebellious phase, so I hope he will continue to do so.
Also, there are those who have been watching over us even though it's been a while since the first form.
These are my relatives, uncle and aunt, whom I haven't seen in a while.
"If you're fine, that's good," I hear a voice say.
But please come and see me once in a while. I want people to say, "Oh? You're going to be in high school soon? You've grown so much."
And to everyone across the country who connected with us through mail order.
We are pen pals.
Occasionally, people come to Bokumo from Hokkaido, Kanto, Shikoku, and Kyushu.
I feel a little embarrassed to meet my penpal in real life. But I'm really happy. We like the same things, so things get exciting very quickly after we meet.
Wine connects people who are far away. Before I started to shed my skin, I never dreamed I would be able to meet people in such a wonderful way.
Looking back on the past 15 years, it may sound cliché, but I can't help but feel that they were "years that were hard to come by."
I am truly grateful. I don't take my existence for granted at all. It's all thanks to the people who supported me. I think I've been able to get this far thanks to the accumulation of gratitude I feel each day.
The times ahead are going to be tough for restaurants. Of course, there will be times when you face difficulties in just existing.
If you've been doing it for a long time, a lot of things happen. When big waves and small waves come, you think about it again. I think I've developed the ability to break through over the past 15 years. As long as I don't lose the ability to look forward, I can somehow deliver something fun. That's what I think.
Yes, speaking of fun! Bokumo's 15th Anniversary Wine Party!
The date has finally been decided. It's still a while away, but please keep it in your schedule if you'd like.
We'll deliver our own fun time.
===
Three days to celebrate Bokumo's 15th anniversary "A Premonition of Excitement"
Live music × New Zealand wine × special food
2024 November 15th (Friday) / 16th (Saturday) / 17th (Sunday) Venue: Bokumo There will be guest musicians on all three days, and a special menu for each day will change.
Further details will be announced at a later date.
This photo was taken 10 years ago, at our 5th anniversary party in 2014. It shows me and the chef when we still hadn't matured that much.
