Coffee shops struggling for survival by offering own blends

Aug. 26--TOKYO -- With continuing decreases in coffee shops under private management and sharp increases in self-service chain shops, private coffee shops in Tokyo and Osaka are struggling for survival by offering their own particular lineups of coffee. Kenji Nishinaka, 57, an executive of a local a...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inKnight Ridder Tribune Business News p. 1
Main Author Komori, Yuko
Format Newsletter
LanguageEnglish
Published Washington Tribune Content Agency LLC 26.08.2005
Subjects
Baby boomers
Coffee
Coffeehouses
Dormitories
Site planning
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Summary:Aug. 26--TOKYO -- With continuing decreases in coffee shops under private management and sharp increases in self-service chain shops, private coffee shops in Tokyo and Osaka are struggling for survival by offering their own particular lineups of coffee. Kenji Nishinaka, 57, an executive of a local association of coffee shops and restaurants, said, "When baby boomers, who know real taste, get old, it is the turn of professionals." "Original, particular coffee which can be shared with customers." This is the key to survive in the winter period of coffee shops, said Kazuhiko Maeda, editor of the monthly magazine Cafe & Restaurant. Four Danwashitsu (lounge) [Jiro Takizawa] coffee shops in Tokyo ended their 39-year history this spring. They were said to be the forerunner of original coffee shops with spacious sofas, quiet background music and waitresses fully trained in dormitories.