Sweet memories: Beloved Japantown business closing after 115 years

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  • čas přidán 29. 03. 2022
  • A San Francisco store that has been part of San Francisco history for more than a century will close its doors for good this week. Customers lined up for hours at Benkyodo in Japantown to be served the final rounds of Japanese sweets. The owner is grateful to the community.
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Komentáře • 98

  • @genericamerican7574
    @genericamerican7574 Před 2 lety +35

    The deserve a sweet retirement to fill with a sweet variety of memories. 🌈🍡🕊

  • @ag-bk5wf
    @ag-bk5wf Před 2 lety +9

    One shop in little Tokyo in LA closed last year after like 90yrs. Sad to see these historic places close.

  • @alwaysyouramanda
    @alwaysyouramanda Před 2 lety +14

    There’s a small really old store called Asahi here. The owners were sent away a while to concentration camps and thankfully someone looked after their store. It’s still open today. 🥺💜

  • @bettiraige3474
    @bettiraige3474 Před 2 lety +17

    I've never been to San Francisco, but I knew about this place from tasting them at a friend's home. I burst out crying just now because I've always wanted to visit the shop. How terribly sad that it has to end.

  • @kyulee2758
    @kyulee2758 Před 2 lety +42

    Cities need to save business like that.

    • @GOLDVIOLINbowofdeath
      @GOLDVIOLINbowofdeath Před 2 lety

      Businesses like what?

    • @richardseecharran3931
      @richardseecharran3931 Před 2 lety +5

      @@GOLDVIOLINbowofdeath business with deep rooted history within the community

    • @GOLDVIOLINbowofdeath
      @GOLDVIOLINbowofdeath Před 2 lety +2

      @@richardseecharran3931 They wanted and could afford to retire, didn’t they?

    • @kyulee2758
      @kyulee2758 Před 2 lety

      @@GOLDVIOLINbowofdeath it seems that many people are "retiring" not because they have enough money set aside and don't have to work. Especially when pandemic lasted this long.

  • @jorgecaraballo1771
    @jorgecaraballo1771 Před 2 lety +42

    It's sad to see a local shop that has a unique taste and heritage, to be replaced by a wendy's or a Starbucks store.

    • @alwaysyouramanda
      @alwaysyouramanda Před 2 lety +1

      I hate it here. 🥺💜

    • @LCx829
      @LCx829 Před 2 lety

      Government wants to rid small businesses

    • @PhyuckYew
      @PhyuckYew Před 2 lety +1

      If you know that area. Franchises aren't allowed to open there. More likely a hipster type restaurant in it's place.

    • @sneat2028
      @sneat2028 Před 2 lety

      🤣🤣🤣🤣 What? There will never be formula retail in that area.

  • @TECHN0
    @TECHN0 Před 2 lety +14

    Why not offer items online on delivery apps?

  • @angelazayas2753
    @angelazayas2753 Před 2 lety +5

    HEARTBREAKING, loved that bakery. Good luck to the owners.

  • @rosaa658
    @rosaa658 Před 2 lety +4

    On NO !!!
    I wished I was there , I have been in San Francisco & I wished I’ve done my homework !
    I would have visited , this place has history & I’m so happy 😁 that people are thanking them as they deserve . I love 💕 Japanese cuisine & all their hand crafted desserts 🍮. I love mochi ice cream 🍨, as a teenager in L.A I used to go to Little Tokyo during festivals. And enjoyed so much how they worked with warm colored sugar & make different things . Like cranes 🦢 etc & of course the food 🍱 Arts & Crafts !
    But so happy 😁 for this wonderful family, to retire .

  • @pank6271
    @pank6271 Před 2 lety +9

    THEY SHOULD KEEP IT OPEN JUST HIRE PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN THAT COMMUNITY AND KEEP IT OPEN FOR ANOTHER 115 YEARS .NOW THAT WOULD BE THE CHALLENGE

  • @bsr6823
    @bsr6823 Před 2 měsíci

    We have a place in my area that was open for over 100 years. The family decided to retire but a local restaurant group bought the business from them and it’s still going now. Hopefully something like this can happen here.

  • @jyp523
    @jyp523 Před 2 lety +3

    I’m glad I wasn’t the only one lol. Legit LOL’ed as soon as I heard Ricky & Bobby.

  • @Arid379
    @Arid379 Před 2 lety +2

    I never been there also. I feel sad it closes

  • @2-old-Forthischet
    @2-old-Forthischet Před 2 lety +2

    Good luck to SF. Here in LA, J-town has attracted the homeless.

  • @mizzmia4407
    @mizzmia4407 Před 2 lety

    Heartbreaking to see it close

  • @kenderay99w.60
    @kenderay99w.60 Před 2 lety +2

    This is sad . I’m happy they get to retire and not work.

  • @lindalewis5066
    @lindalewis5066 Před 2 lety

    It's killing me, all the historic restaurants that are closing in San Francisco. 😞

  • @gailmclaughlin6688
    @gailmclaughlin6688 Před 2 lety +1

    Love these stories, but sad that they have to close.

  • @believeinyourself7511
    @believeinyourself7511 Před 2 lety +3

    They need to make a big statue and make that place a museum artifact for that area.

  • @Shazzyhtown
    @Shazzyhtown Před 2 lety +2

    Wow... there's no other way to keep this business? That is part of the city's history! So sad 😢

  • @nnyv0040
    @nnyv0040 Před 2 lety

    Happy retirement - thank you for your contribution to SAN FRAN!

  • @SunShine-vo8kj
    @SunShine-vo8kj Před 2 lety +4

    If they are retiring, why not just sell the business make it contract to keep everything the same. You mean out of all those customers over the years no one knew anyone who could buy it or take over the business 🤔

    • @larrysong953
      @larrysong953 Před 2 lety

      It's easy to say.
      It takes passion and spirit to succeed historical legendary business. The way the city it is would hardly make small retail business owners feel safe and secure.

  • @jamesprovost2602
    @jamesprovost2602 Před 2 lety

    Bless You! 🙏💖✨

  • @a1visuals761
    @a1visuals761 Před 2 lety +4

    Was Ricky and Bobby fans of Talladega nights

  • @damsel72
    @damsel72 Před 2 lety +13

    No!!! This is tragic. 😭

  • @gugomkrtchyan1927
    @gugomkrtchyan1927 Před 2 lety +6

    These people are more American then most of this country

  • @genericamerican7574
    @genericamerican7574 Před 2 lety +15

    So they don’t have kids to pass it down? Hopefully a new business that becomes part of the community too.

    • @donfitzsimons6673
      @donfitzsimons6673 Před 2 lety +7

      I was thinking of the employees. From the video, they are already over half the workforce and probably know every step of manufacture. An employee-owned store could carry on.

    • @ConstantlyRepeatingMyself
      @ConstantlyRepeatingMyself Před 2 lety +17

      They probably want to get out of the hell hole that is San Fran.

    • @Fstop313
      @Fstop313 Před 2 lety

      @@ConstantlyRepeatingMyself yeah. San fran isnt exactly the greatest right now.

    • @iseeflowers
      @iseeflowers Před 2 lety +3

      Or maybe sell the business to mochi lovers to take over and keep the culture, history and value of this shop.

    • @calmingambienceasmr6108
      @calmingambienceasmr6108 Před 2 lety

      @@donfitzsimons6673 It's not even legal for them to run this business in 2022. I can see violations in the video like employees not wearing hairnets ect. There is probably other violations like fire code ect.

  • @vampyrelycan99
    @vampyrelycan99 Před 2 lety +1

    Oh no... my bad. Have been to JPTown many times but never recalled this wagashi store. Anyway very sad indeed... Guess it's the end of another good era in SF JPTown's history.

  • @larrysong953
    @larrysong953 Před 2 lety +2

    My heartbroken is this beautiful city and the community are no longer the way it used to be. It used to be business friendly and full of tourist place.
    Big and small businesses are leaving SF.

  • @micheleondeck5373
    @micheleondeck5373 Před 2 lety +3

    long time to be in business

  • @charlesxavier5681
    @charlesxavier5681 Před 2 lety +1

    Wow 😮

  • @collinhoey5517
    @collinhoey5517 Před rokem

    Enlightenment forever., Memories will linger!

  • @shannonnewman3091
    @shannonnewman3091 Před 2 lety +1

    This is Sad.

  • @madbug1965
    @madbug1965 Před 2 lety +1

    You can still get locally made manju in Sacramento...

  • @mandalor-8315
    @mandalor-8315 Před 2 lety +1

    Just sadd ....

  • @beatpirate8
    @beatpirate8 Před rokem

    No one can replace them. But I wish whoever opens again will also be a mochi store! I feel there should be at least one mochi store in Japan town! It’s not the same as packaged and machine made ones!

  • @haven_lady675
    @haven_lady675 Před 2 lety +1

    Aw noooooo

  • @Kawayoporu
    @Kawayoporu Před rokem

    Are there any other Benkyodos left?

  • @julial3758
    @julial3758 Před 2 lety

    Time to make a CZcams video and share the recipes to the world so that it lives on.

  • @SunshineInCA14
    @SunshineInCA14 Před 2 lety +2

    😥❤

  • @jujub4553
    @jujub4553 Před 2 lety +1

    Whyyyyyyyy do we never hear about these until it’s too late 🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄

  • @Kawayoporu
    @Kawayoporu Před rokem

    What about the owner's great-grand children, why are they not keeping the store now instead of closing, were they not interested in it, I wish they mention about the grandson's adult kids now taking over?!
    I was thinking about visiting Japantown in San Francisco after Little Tokyo Los Angeles one day and eat mochi in both of these Japanese little cities!

  • @fabsagu5421
    @fabsagu5421 Před 2 lety +1

    Someone save it

  • @missf4681
    @missf4681 Před 2 lety +1

    Thar is too bad after all this time. But I guess they are tired after all thus time. God bless and keep them and I hope their retirement is long and healthy and they enjoy what they have earned

  • @levelintent
    @levelintent Před 2 lety

    They never said WHY they were closing though... I'm sure the grandchildren don't want to carry on the business, but they couldn't sell it to someone else or hire new managers and new staff? Or is it that people just don't want those types of snacks anymore...? Well, 115 years is a good run.

  • @adr1ana1000
    @adr1ana1000 Před 2 lety +4

    They maybe dont have kids or their kids dont want that kind of business.

    • @eyang7
      @eyang7 Před 2 lety +1

      That or their kids don't want their grandparents to go thru all the violence or robbery. Sf is not safe for the elderly Asians anymore.

    • @adr1ana1000
      @adr1ana1000 Před 2 lety +1

      @@eyang7 can be .. but you cant let violence win over you. But good for them.

  • @brianp5205
    @brianp5205 Před 2 lety +1

    Businesses are begging for new hires but they are all in a 6 hour line for mochi...

  • @miti342
    @miti342 Před 2 lety

    I wish people supported asian business more.. without us the world can't stand

  • @JohnAranita
    @JohnAranita Před 2 lety +1

    I fudging love MOCHI. Very tempting!! Somewhere in Maui (Hawai'i) has famous MANJU.

  • @4Realkevv
    @4Realkevv Před 2 lety

    U guys would put asain reporter smh

  • @erykahhoney588
    @erykahhoney588 Před 3 měsíci

    Everything in S.F is falling apart 😏

  • @Adam-qv2bd
    @Adam-qv2bd Před 2 lety +1

    Ricky Bobby

  • @a.a.a.8365
    @a.a.a.8365 Před 2 lety +1

    More of Americana🇯🇵🇺🇲 disappearing so sad...☹

  • @dame7duce
    @dame7duce Před 2 lety +2

    Ricky Bobby if you're not First you're Last 😀😃😄😁😆🤣😂😅😅😅😅

  • @eyang7
    @eyang7 Před 2 lety

    Sad but good in a way. Better to get out of there while u can. That city is not safe for elderly Asians anymore. Too much violence and robberies.

  • @joeartega1712
    @joeartega1712 Před 2 lety

    You must WEAR A Hair net 2 ladies did not, don't care how short, WEAR A HAIR NET

  • @shadow.banned
    @shadow.banned Před 2 lety

    Worth it, Feinstein, Pelosi? Build back deader.

  • @Nonenone23
    @Nonenone23 Před 8 dny

    Good riddens

  • @johnnyk6906
    @johnnyk6906 Před 2 lety +1

    these are traditionally Chinese desserts? I can fine all of these in Chinese bakery.

    • @vampyrelycan99
      @vampyrelycan99 Před 2 lety +3

      FYI, you can't find wagashi like dango and daifuku at a Chinese bakery. Just saying......

  • @AcemanX
    @AcemanX Před 2 lety

    Probably from all the animals thieves lurking around that God forsaken city...sfo was amazing in the 90s, 2000s, then just turned to crap in the last decade...

    • @sneat2028
      @sneat2028 Před 2 lety +1

      You obviously haven't a clue where Japan Town is. The owners are retiring.

  • @TeddyBelcher4kultrawide

    Rip off prices

  • @TeddyBelcher4kultrawide

    The dung eater don’t need food

  • @OscarLopez-si2wg
    @OscarLopez-si2wg Před 2 lety +2

    I don't feel sorry. Cause they kept it in the family.. They got rich outta all cultures. But they never share they wealth. Asians or super selfish when is about money. But is okay I don't blame em. Is the culture and religion

    • @CoffeeMadeMeSay
      @CoffeeMadeMeSay Před 2 lety +5

      What the f you talking about

    • @Kyle-rp9fi
      @Kyle-rp9fi Před 2 lety

      Wanna know why they got rich outta all cultures cause of their work ethic u lazy bum and of course they’re gonna wanna keep it in the family who else are they gonna give it to you 😂

    • @GOLDVIOLINbowofdeath
      @GOLDVIOLINbowofdeath Před 2 lety +6

      @@CoffeeMadeMeSay He probably didn’t notice all the Hispanic, white, and black employees

    • @Kyle-rp9fi
      @Kyle-rp9fi Před 2 lety +5

      they’re business owners to so obviously they’re gonna make more money when all your employees are family you dont need to pay someone else an outrageous wage its a family grind bro sum you dont know about

    • @GOLDVIOLINbowofdeath
      @GOLDVIOLINbowofdeath Před 2 lety

      @@julieornburn You’re the only racist here