The cafe bar "Ripen" (TEL 080-1652-1963) opened on April 2 in Jotokaku, Blacksmith Town, Hirosaki City.

The shop mainly offers craft beer from the three northeastern prefectures and also sells T-shirts. Takuya Nakano, the owner of the shop, is in charge of craft beer sales, and his wife Mitsuchi is in charge of T-shirt sales.

Takuya-san and Mitsuchi-san, both 27 years old, enthusiastically collaborated after working at a special needs school in Aomori after graduating from university. The two who left the teaching profession opened a cafe "14-54 CAFE" in the shopping district of Towada in April 2018 and later got married. Takuya says, “I was telling the students to do what I wanted to do, but there was myself who couldn't do what I wanted to do. I wanted to convey a message by showing myself.”

In January 2020, he moved to Hirosaki, the hometown of Ms. Mitsuchi, and started preparing to set up a craft beer store. “Two people love craft beer and sometimes walk around together. Takuya says,” I would like to hear the thoughts of craft craft beers and their attitude toward the community, and convey those thoughts through craft beer.

Ms. Satoshi wanted to start a clothing store without being tied to restaurants, so she decided to sell T-shirts with an original design (from 3,600 yen). Mr. Satoshi showed his willingness to make T-shirts that can convey the charm of Aomori and Hirosaki.

The store area is 9 tsubo. There are 15 seats. Behind the counter, there will be a craft beer server that depicts maps of the three northeastern north prefectures. Craft beer (480 ml = 1,200 yen, 280 ml = 750 yen) will change its brand depending on the period. There is a food menu (beginning at 300 yen) that matches beer, but there is no fixed menu and customers can bring in it. "It doesn't matter if you eat the food you bought at another store in Jotokaku," Takuya said.

It was pre-opened in February and was thinking about the demand for lunch and the menus offered. "Craft beer is not rooted in Aomori yet. We also named it "ripen", which means that it is mature, meaning that it will mature in the future. Show the children that adults living in rural areas are enjoying themselves I would like to contribute to the creation of a lively city where people can live."

“It's a grand opening, but under the current circumstances, I can't easily say, “Please come,”” says Takuya. "For the time being, we do not usually do business, so please contact us in advance when you come to the store."

Business hours are from 12:00 to 23:00. Closed on Wednesdays.