Help with Japonaise Bakery Renovation

Since 1985, my staff and I have been proudly serving traditional Japanese pastries to the Brookline and Boston community. The quality and service we aim to provide is not an easy way to run a business. We try to put forth the very best products at fair prices, while providing friendly customer service from genuine staff. After much consideration, I have temporarily closed the bakery in order to renovate my entire store.

On top of everything currently going on, this pandemic has coincided with our much-needed renovation plan to gut out the current store and redo the entire storefront, kitchen, basement, and front patio. The store itself has not been renovated since opening 35+ years ago. We have been using the same equipment since opening day and much of it has started to break down in more frequent intervals which require hefty maintenance costs or temporary shutdowns. It has been a long time dream of mine to take what my mom started back in 85’ and bring it to the next level. I have visions of a bakery/café pumping out top notch pastries, food, and drinks in a close-knit and comfortable community based atmosphere.

So many great people and longtime regulars have continued to support us through these crazy times. From placing orders in advance, to saying a simple “how’s it going” or a “thank you for what you do” when visiting us, there have been so many ways people have expressed their compassion and willingness to help, and we cannot thank you enough. It’s hard to say in words what that has meant to me during this difficult time for my employees and the business, but it has definitely kept me going despite some setbacks we faced throughout the years.

We are humbly asking for your help to provide emergency funds to go towards staff payroll and the renovation we have been planning for years now. Upgrading all of our industrial kitchen machinery (deck/convection ovens, mixers, proofer, refrigerators, etc) will greatly help with production for my team and redesigning the store front/patio will increase seating and shopping space for our guests to relax in a more open setting. We would also like to redo our flooring for the entire store (both back and front) to improve accessibility and workflow. Thank you for doing what you can — your support is what motivates us to do what we do, even at 3:00 in the morning!

Anything is appreciated and nothing is expected. Stay safe and hope to see all of you soon.

Takeo Sakan

Owner, Japonaise Bakery & Café