July 1, 2023
In the few hours before Arai-san, the owner of C’est Japon à Suisha opened its doors for the last day of service, I asked the one question that was on everyone’s minds:
“Hiroha-san, are you opening a restaurant?”
“I’m still thinking about it.”
July 13, 2023
From the corner of Bank and Slater, a line could be seen snaking its way out onto the pavement. Ottawans had returned for their one and only chance to buy a small piece of C'est Japon à Suisha.
In the preceding weeks, Arai-san had employed an auction company to reduce the sheer amount of stuff in the restaurant before the premises had to be vacated. And while normally an online affair, Arai-san had specifically requested this to be in-person to expedite the removal of anything that was bought. As an added incentive for potential buyers, 30% of the proceeds would go to CHEO.
Once past the front doors, the line meandered its way past the open bar and into the main dining hall. Even though it was only an hour before the metaphorical gavel signaled the start of the auction, personal space was at a premium. People were awkwardly shuffling in a large circle around the room to peruse the items on display and mentally tally their budget. Along the sushi bar, stacks of dishware and other various smaller items like bento boxes, sake bottles, plates and those small plastic sushi sampuru were grouped together into lots. But it was the items along the perimeter of the dining room such as the tanuki statue, the antique chest and a bolt of kimono silk, that garnered the most interest.
As the conversation flowed between onlookers, sympathizers and potential bidding rivals, it was obvious who were hunting for deals, starting a business or hoping for a keepsake.
The auction proceeded . . . well, like an auction. The auctioneer would announce the item and start off the bid in clipped and rushed tones. Bidders would call out their bid and every so often, a bidding showdown would occur and finish amidst a flurry of claps and congratulations between the victor and the loser. It was a very civil affair.
As the night continued (and it was a very long night), bidders started to suggest items that hadn’t been tagged for sale. Anything was fair game. If it could be disassembled and carried through the front doors safely, it could be bought.
After numerous attempts to sell it, the waterwheel out front sold for $200.
And finally, it was done. Or so one thought.
The end of the auction only signaled the next phase. It was time to trade.
“I’ll take two of your mugs for that sake bottle.”
"What would you take for that Asahi beer sign?"
Others would take a different approach and seek out items that hadn't been part of the auction and put in an offer.
Even with the full house, Arai-san only sold 1/3 of the restaurant’s furnishings. The other third had to be discarded. And the remaining third has been kept in storage in case a future entrepreneur wants them.
But Hiroha-san? Arai-san made sure that Hiroha-san got his pick of the wares before the auction.
December 2023
I met Arai-san on a cloudy yet oddly mild Saturday for the final review of the C’est Japon à Suisha articles and I remembered to inquire.
“Oh yes, Hiroha-san found a place in Orleans.”
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