I photographed this lovely old take-out yakitori shop towards the end of 2022. A place I’d previously tried to capture on several occasions, but the light had always been unhelpful, and one time it had rather frustratingly been shut. So to finally record its real, retro beauty was genuinely pleasing. Even better was the ownership situation, prompting me to conclude my write-up with these uncharacteristically positive words:
“A little shop that has been serving freshly grilled chicken for 45 years. Another near half a century is hard to imagine, but with a younger family member now on board, many more years do remain a distinct possibility.”
Optimism that was sadly very much misplaced, as returning recently at a slightly different time of year, but at the same time of day, we found nothing except an empty plot of land.
cdilla says
Quite a shock to see an entire building vanish without trace like that. Especially one that should have been listed. Thanks for reposting those beautifully lit photographs from a year or so back.
Perhaps the owner also owns the parting space and the new blood is aiming to rebuild bigger and “better”.
Lee says
Thank you. So glad I got those, and yeah, it really was a shock to see that small empty space.
Do wonder what will replace it. Definitely surprised it hasn’t been incorporated into the car park. So something different. Perhaps.
Richard says
What a shock that must have been! Thank goodness you got the photos in 2022.
Lee says
Yeah, it really was. I was very much looking forward to seeing it again. But yeah, glad I got those photos.
Denise says
Oh my that is such a loss……… 🙁
Lee says
Yeah, it really is. It was a very special little place.
thegirlwholeftthefridgeopen says
Wow, I like the before and after shots being in the same spot and lighting. It resembles a decaying tooth pulled out. Curious to see what fills its place. Thank you for sharing, Lee
Lee says
Thanks. Yeah, glad at least I could photograph them in similar light. That’s such a good way of describing it too.
You are very welcome. Happy I could get those earlier photos. I’m lucky I got to see it.