Chai Specialty Store "Talk with _" Has Opened
On July 27, 2023, the chai specialty store "Talk with _" opened in Suminoe-ku, Osaka. We would like to express our gratitude to everyone who helped us until the opening and introduce our shop.
About the Shop
■Store Name
Talk with _
■Location
NAGAYArt No. 1, 2-4-2 Kitakagaya, Suminoe-ku, Osaka (inside the commercial complex)
5-minute walk from Exit 4 of Kitakagaya Station on the Osaka Metro Yotsubashi Line
https://goo.gl/maps/CAxxUA36sS1aAECh8
■Business Days
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday
11:00 - 17:00
■Facility Overview
A base that combines a cafe where you can drink chai and spice soda with a workshop that produces chai gifts. We also hold workshops where you can blend your own original chai.
Partners working at the Talk with _ workshop
The partners working at Talk with _ work under experimental work rules. In the workshop where we produce chai gifts, we have introduced rules that make it easier for people who have had a gap in employment and want to "build confidence in working" to work.
■Features of the Manufacturing Workshop
We produce chai gifts sold at the cafe and online shop with a work style where you can "come and go whenever you want, 24 hours a day."
■A Work Style Without Shifts
Instead of an employment contract, we sign a service agreement. By using a "delivery-based" system rather than an hourly wage, we have eliminated "shifts" and "clock-in times." You can work at your own pace, such as coming in only when you are feeling well.
■Manufacturing Content
Tea bags
Chai masala cans
Chai syrup
Preparation of other drinks served at the cafe, etc.
■The Philosophy Behind Creating This Work Style
This is a workplace created from the voices of people who say, "I'm not good with shifts" or "I don't have the confidence to start working."
Compensation is determined by task rather than hourly wage, allowing you to perform tasks at your preferred pace. You can take 50 minutes or 2 hours to complete a 1,000 yen job, so we have made it possible for you to work slowly while you are getting used to it, and increase your speed as you become more accustomed to the work.
Partners who serve as instructors for the chai-making experience
When you think of a factory tour, a manufacturing experience is usually part of it. Taking advantage of the strength of having our own production workshop, Talk with _ also holds daily workshops where you can blend your own chai.
The instructors for these workshops use avatars (digital alter egos) to interact with customers on a display. You can enjoy a unique and extraordinary customer service experience.
■ Duration and Fee
60 minutes per session / 3,000 yen (includes souvenir chai)
■ Content
Learning about chai
Creating an original blend
Let's brew some chai
Packing your souvenir chai
■ Our Commitment
You can enjoy making a one-of-a-kind chai found nowhere else in the world. We also provide a lecture on how to brew delicious chai, so you will be able to brew chai from spices at home as well. Please enjoy the fun of freely blending spices.
■ The philosophy behind creating this way of working
We actively hire partners who face employment disadvantages, such as those who feel uncomfortable being seen or those living in rural areas who cannot find the jobs they want. By providing customer service through avatars, we alleviate physical and mental barriers and have created a job where people can think, "I can work like this."
Please apply for the workshop here.
The story behind the store's creation
Many people cooperated in the creation of Talk with _. We would like to introduce some of that process.
Background 1: The "Job Borrowing" Project
In 2022, we conducted the "Job Borrowing Project," which challenged people on leave or between jobs to "try out a job they had never done before for a limited time," and it was during this that we developed our chai.
The chai, created by four members who were taking a break from work for people who also needed a rest, was named "Talk with _" based on the concept of "Let's take a little break and talk."
Background 2: Crowdfunding
We raised funds through crowdfunding to build the chai store.
We successfully reached our goal and received support from 121 people. The funds we received were used for store equipment and other expenses. Thank you very much.
Background 3: Neo-Custom Rental
The reason I was able to open a physical store this time is thanks to a system called 'Neo-Custom Rental' offered by Chishima Real Estate in Kitakagaya. It involves renovating old cultural housing, but the project is unique in that 'the tenant is decided first, and then we think about the renovation details together.' The design was handled by POS Architecture Observation and Design Institute.
They built the interior exactly as I requested, which allowed me to significantly cut down on the initial costs of setting up the store.
Background 4: The power of volunteer members
The cooperation of volunteer members in building the store was also a huge help. Even though the interior was being built for us, we all worked together to do the time-consuming tasks like painting and waxing by hand so as not to burden the carpenters as much as possible.
In closing
I was able to open this store thanks to the support of many people, more than I can write about here. Thank you so, so much.
Some parts of the online shop and gifts aren't quite ready yet, and there's still a lot to do, but I will do my best to ensure the store can continue properly.
Talk with _ is a chai shop, but I hope that chai will serve as a catalyst for people to take a break and find an opportunity to talk to someone.
If you are currently thinking, 'Actually, I'm having a bit of a hard time,' please consider participating in the support program operated by Nimoarukamo.
The service is still in its early stages, but we are accepting member registrations.
Please click here.
9.24 Update: Online shop open
The online shop for chai gifts has opened. Please take a look here.