There is a small shop at the corner in a small lane around Yongkang St., named as “T. Loafer”. There are many kinds of windows on the wall; each one is different in terms of size, color, the method of opening, and materials. There are also many plants hanged up. We saw the small brand of “open” on the wall and thus were curious about this shop.

Smart ideas

As soon as we enter the shop, the owner welcomed us lively. The sunshine came into the house through each window, and thus different refraction brightened the shop. The venue became very delicate. Small tables are in the shop; people can stretch and relax although the space is not big. On the shelves and window ledge, there are many small and cute products. The owner designed all of the decorations in the shop. In the process, the owner would ask experts if he faced problems. Other people would help him to solve the problems enthusiastically. This is the most bliss thing the owner thought of in the process of opening the business.

What I manage is a relaxing space.

The owner said, “I hope that the customers can relax here. City people are busy and pressed very much. If there is a small space for people to forget some things tentatively, and experience happy and bliss, people will be able to face their lives continually. I’ll make this place like in the urban, without pressure.” The owner decided to open his business here just because he wants to offer a relaxing space. You can feel free truly here; you won’t feel bored or think of the day as a long day.

The biggest bliss is from the customers’ smiles

The owner thinks that the best reward is the customer’s smile, satisfaction, and appreciation. He shared with us, “the relationship between the owner and the customer is similar to the friendship. The customer will care about you and help you. I think this kind of thing is the best for opening this shop!” We can tell the achievement when we see the owner’s smile.

Touched appreciation

The owner recalled, “There was a student from U.K. He came to our shop specifically because his girlfriend recommended us to him. Afterwards, he was our regular customer. Every time coming here, he would bring a blank post card and draw what he saw here to deliver the card to his girlfriend studying in the U.K. Continuing the delivery for two years, before graduation, he brought his family and his girlfriend to visit us. And then they went back to the U.K. It’s very touched!”

The power of integrate the community

The owner told us that Yongkang Business district has less business atmosphere than other business districts, but more culture air. Yongkang Business district is just a area’s name; the owner thought that the importance of the community would be bigger than the importance of the business district. “This is what I care about; I don’t’ pay a lot of attention to the business part.” The business district is just a gathering of stores; however, stores are part of the community. The owner focused on community; everyone take care of each other, and the problems will be fewer and fewer.

Filled with bliss

The young and friendly owner has great goal, and so he located his store at the back section of Yongkang St. Thus, only those people who really want to explore Yongkang district will find his shop. He has his own principle of being with people, and his thoughts about the shop’s development and management. Comparing to other stores in Yongkang Business district, there are not only attractive decorations, but also free and peace atmosphere. He couldn’t show a lot of things in this shop because of the limited space; however, the space is filled of bliss.

※It’s a pity that T. Loafer closed its business in our project’s progress. However, the bliss it brought to the community development and to the neighborhood should be learned and echoed. Because of this reason, we still leave the interview record here.