Change

Seriously.
I think the stores in this chain get a double take from all English speakers.
This is one of the new chain stores along the bypass near our house. There were no chains stores here 22 years ago, except Raganeau Pastries, which was put out of business by our local baker, the owner of Tatsuya Cake Shop. That is a rare occurance; usually the chains take out the locals. The 2 drug stores owned by our friends, the Kawamuras, are gone. Laurie's English student Yoko went under first, then took a job in a mall near Goshogawara. Her brother died 2 years ago, in a fire in the main store. The other local drug store moved into a place on the bypass, and it remains to be seen if they will make it.
And the Tatsuya Cake Shop? They are expanding into a mini-chain themselves!
On that very topic of "the death of mom-and-pop-stores",we watched the movie "You've Got Mail" tonight with our daughter Anna, who is visiting from Sapporo. She sees a lot of changes around town on her infrequent visits.
The pace varies with the age and the place, but change is a part of life. It's sad to see some things go, but "time and tide wait for no man". I am very greatful for the one great Unchangeable, God the Creator of Heaven and Earth.