OpenRoad Auto Group opened a new TSUJIRI cafe in its OpenRoad Toyota Richmond dealership at the Richmond Auto Mall and is serving trendy Onigirazu sushi sandwiches and Japanese tea.
“I’m a huge fan of TSUJIRI and have been a regular customer at their establishments in Japan for years,” said Christian Chia, CEO of OpenRoad Auto Group. “So when the idea of a cafe came up for our new Toyota dealership, a new TSUJIRI franchise was an exciting fit.”
He said the idea was not only an excellent fit because of the company’s cultural alignment with the Toyota brand, but also “because we knew our customers would be excited to have an authentic taste of Japan right here in their community.”
According to OpenRoad’s press release, the TSUJIRI franchise is known for its centuries-old tradition of premium Japanese tea-making and matcha infused foods. The franchise was founded in 1860 in Kyoto, Japan by Tsuji Riemon.
The idea of opening a cafe during the pandemic may seem odd, but Canadian auto dealer reached out to the company about the measures being taken to ensure the safety of employees and customers.
OpenRoad implemented a COVID-19 action plan early in the pandemic for all its dealerships and a safety plan for its associated in-dealership vendors — including TSUJIRI. Staff and visitors are expected to social distance, wear masks, and sanitize, while the tables in the cafe are separated according to British Columbia’s COVID-19 guidelines.
The cafe is located at 13100 Smallwood Place in the Richmond Auto Mall in the OpenRoad Toyota Richmond dealership.
