By: Kimi Nagasaki, GVJCI Marketing & Social Media Intern
This article is the beginning of an interview series featuring GVJCI’s local business supporters and member organizations who have supported the organization over many years. This project is made possible through funding by the Boeing Employee Community Fund. GVJCI would also like to express gratitude to Hideki Obayashi and Frank Nakano, owners of Gardena Bowl Coffee Shop and Azuma Restaurant, for their great generosity and support of our events and programs throughout the years.
Pictured: Frank, Genie, and Hideki at Gardena Bowl Coffee Shop Hideki Obayashi and Frank Nakano have been co-owners of Gardena Bowl Coffee Shop and Azuma Restaurant for 20 years. They first took over Gardena Bowl in the Spring of 2001, after the original owners decided to sell the coffee shop. Neither of them had experience going into this business, but their love for the food and the restaurant allowed them to continue running this local favorite. Gardena Bowl is a beloved business here in the South Bay that serves everything, from local food to comfort food. Some of Hideki and Frank’s favorites are the Lau Lau, Sausage and Eggs, Bacon Fried Rice, and Hawaiian Royal.
Pictured: Hideki, Genie, and Frank at Azuma Restaurant After owning Gardena Bowl for about a year, Hideki and Frank were told that Azuma Restaurant was being sold. They bought Azuma in 2002 and were excited to continue serving authentic Japanese food. Azuma is an izakaya restaurant, similar to Spanish tapas, in which there are many small dishes you share with friends and family. Azuma was Hideki and Frank’s favorite Japanese restaurant in Gardena, so they wanted to keep the menu to show their appreciation for the restaurant and the delicious food they serve. Hideki’s favorite item on the menu is the Black Cod, and one of Frank’s favorite items is the Teriyaki Beef. For Azuma and Gardena Bowl, business was always good, until the pandemic hit in 2020.
This past year has been an adjustment, not only for Gardena Bowl and Azuma but for all small businesses. Hideki and Frank were able to adjust pretty quickly in response to the pandemic. It was difficult at first, but with the help of their staff and landlords, they were able to continue running their businesses. It was much easier for them to adapt at Gardena Bowl since their take-out business was already quite popular. However, at Azuma, a smaller percentage of their sales came from take-out. Luckily, as the pandemic started to calm down, business began to pick up as indoor and outdoor dining became available. Hideki and Frank owe much of their survival to their customers and staff.
Hideki and Frank are very thankful to the community for supporting them during these challenging times. They want to thank their loyal customers for continuing to eat at their restaurants and for recommending their restaurants to their friends/families. In addition, they appreciate all of the comments, suggestions, and ratings they receive through Yelp! and in person. Hideki and Frank also want to thank their dedicated staff for contributing to the smooth transition to takeout and back again to indoor dining. They have recognized how great the community is here in the South Bay and again want to thank everyone for supporting their restaurants. Gardena Bowl and Azuma Restaurant are currently open for take-out and they are very excited for the reopening in mid-June.
Azuma Restaurant 16123 S. Western Ave. Gardena, CA 90247
Gardena Bowl Coffee Shop 15707 S. Vermont Ave. Gardena, CA 90247
This past year has been an adjustment, not only for Gardena Bowl and Azuma but for all small businesses. Hideki and Frank were able to adjust pretty quickly in response to the pandemic. It was difficult at first, but with the help of their staff and landlords, they were able to continue running their businesses. It was much easier for them to adapt at Gardena Bowl since their take-out business was already quite popular. However, at Azuma, a smaller percentage of their sales came from take-out. Luckily, as the pandemic started to calm down, business began to pick up as indoor and outdoor dining became available. Hideki and Frank owe much of their survival to their customers and staff.
Hideki and Frank are very thankful to the community for supporting them during these challenging times. They want to thank their loyal customers for continuing to eat at their restaurants and for recommending their restaurants to their friends/families. In addition, they appreciate all of the comments, suggestions, and ratings they receive through Yelp! and in person. Hideki and Frank also want to thank their dedicated staff for contributing to the smooth transition to takeout and back again to indoor dining. They have recognized how great the community is here in the South Bay and again want to thank everyone for supporting their restaurants. Gardena Bowl and Azuma Restaurant are currently open for take-out and they are very excited for the reopening in mid-June.
Azuma Restaurant 16123 S. Western Ave. Gardena, CA 90247
Gardena Bowl Coffee Shop 15707 S. Vermont Ave. Gardena, CA 90247
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