The exposed concrete walls have a warm wooden floor and tables. When you enter the chic Laboratoire (Hama, Maizuru City, Kyoto Prefecture) store, you'll find more than 30 types of baked goods and cakes lined up on the counter, including canelés made with Maizuru tea, lemon tarts, financiers, and cookies.
Many people come from early morning to buy sweets baked by the shop's owner, Ayako Maeda (39 years old). Maeda says, ``Nothing is out of the ordinary. She pursues the quality of basic confectionery and aims for something that you will never get tired of.''
Sandwiches and hamburgers are popular during lunch hours. The ``Homemade Ham Sandwich'' (1,340 yen) includes homemade ham, carrots, sunny lettuce, tomatoes, and other toppings. It is served cut in half, and the cross section is bright and beautiful.
Ayako Maeda was born and raised in Maizuru City, Kyoto Prefecture, and studied confectionery at a vocational school in Osaka City. She got a job at a cake shop in Tokyo, but she also worked at bars and bistros, saying, ``I'd rather interact with customers more than seclude myself in the kitchen.'' While she was spending some time back home due to family reasons, her desire to open a shop in her hometown grew stronger.
She gained experience at a cafe in Tokyo for a year and opened it in 2016. She is also particular about coffee, and the cafe serves beans from five different regions.
``The way she works and the shape of the store change depending on her lifestyle.For now, I want to do my best and aim for the 10th anniversary in two years,'' said Ayako Maeda. As her new challenge, she is preparing to open a take-out donut shop next to her cafe later this year.
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Laboratoire 85, Hama 2006, Maizuru City, Kyoto Prefecture. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed on Wednesdays. 0773(60)6680.
