This time I visited VERVE COFFEE ROASTERS, located on the first floor of Yebisu Garden Place. The cafe attracts a diverse crowd of people who spend their time from morning till night, including those who take a break before work, those who take a break from walking their dogs, those who read a book quietly, and mothers with small children. In 2016, Verve Coffee opened its first specialty coffee shop outside of California in Shinjuku NEWoMAN, followed by the expansion to Kamakura Yukinoshita, Roppongi, and Kita-Kamakura, and in 2022, the fifth store in Japan, Yebisu Garden Place, and last year in 2023, Yoyogi Park. While keeping the Santa Cruz spirit in mind, they continue to evolve in a uniquely Japanese way.
    
In this issue, we would like to introduce the completed Verve Coffee original tableware, while asking about the background and process of consulting with us on the production of original tableware.

“I wanted to value Japanese originality and craftsmanship more. I knew that yumiko iihoshi porcelain’s tableware was comfortable to use because I had used it at home before. Above all, I felt empathy for the fact that they are making products that have a story behind them. For us, the tableware we use in our cafes is an important piece that is indispensable in creating a comfortable space. We consulted with them because we wanted to retain elements of the West Coast while incorporating the refined essence of Japan.”

The collaboration began when we were asked about the production of original tableware for use in all of their cafes in Japan in conjunction with the opening of their new Ebisu cafe. While we were given a preliminary image plan of the new cafe’s interior and its sophisticated, modern interior, it was also important that the design would fit in naturally with the existing cafe’s scene of use. We carefully discussed everything from the colors and materials of the interior to the extensive menu, the volume of coffee to be served, and the content of the meals to be served, while developing a design image.

The first thing that catches the eye upon entering the store is the symbolic espresso machine with the brand logo. On top of this, cups in beige, brown, and khaki tones are randomly stacked, impressing a chic and calm mood with their subdued earth color shades and natural gradations.

If you look at each cup in person, you will notice that even with the same glaze, the color shade and the way the glaze comes out look different. By using glazes with individual differences, we aimed to create differences in the expression of each cup, and when the cups are piled up, they create a three-dimensional effect and depth of expression that cannot be expressed with a single color. Because glazes are made of natural materials, they change delicately depending on climatic conditions and kiln conditions. It is not unusual for us to repeatedly test glazes over and over until the combination we have imagined is created, but sometimes this coincidence is part of the charm of our work.

In addition, the saucers for the cups which doble as the plates that serve the food are also available in a variety of colors. We hope that the free overlapping and combination of the colors of the cups, saucers, and plates will fit in naturally with the interior of Verve Coffee, and at the same time become one of the characteristics that make the cafe memorable. We have made a unique proposal that only yumiko iihoshi porcelain could offer, as we have continued to produce each piece of ware using the unique expression of the glaze, which is created through the manual process with craftsman hands although it is mass produced items.

We designed the shape of the cup was to give the impression of simplicity in a refined, clean look. The cup has a slightly rough texture, and we tried to convey warmth from the texture when guests hold it in their hands.

“While each store creates originality in line with its location, what is consistently important to us is ‘good vibes’ and friendly customer service. While conveying the image of a modern and sophisticated interior and store image, we always try to provide pleasant service that is not uniform and leaves a lasting impression, so as not to give a cool and unfriendly impression,” they say. When you step into the cafe, you will be greeted by friendly staff, and with a generous cup of coffee or latte, you will feel comfortable enough to linger in the shop for a while.

We hope that the original tableware we produced will be one of the pieces that will bring the spirit of Verve Coffee to their customers and create a comfortable atmosphere.

＜The original tableware is available at VERVE COFFEE ROASTERS stores and online shop. ＞

VERVE COFFEE ROASTERS EBISU
Yebisu Garden Place Center Plaza 1F
4-20-7 Ebisu, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0013
03-6450-3058
https://vervecoffee.jp/

Photo Suguru Ariga
Interview & text Natsuko Kobayashi