WARD VILLAGE WELCOMES OKAYAMA KOBO BAKERY & CAFE
New Japanese bakery and cafe offers a taste of Japan to the local community
HONOLULU, HI (November 15, 2023) – Ward Village®, the award-winning destination in the heart of Honolulu to live, shop, dine and explore, welcomes Okayama Kobo Bakery & Cafe, a popular Japanese bakery chain founded by Tsunetaka Kawakami. Beginning his career at a humble chain of bakeries, Kawakami went on to build his own self-run business. He currently has two Okayama Kobo locations in Japan and two stores in California, and has consulted on the openings of more than 200 bakeries throughout Japan. Now, Kawakami brings Okayama Kobo’s renowned tradition of crafting fresh, additive-free bread and pastries made with 100% Hokkaido flour to Ward Entertainment Center.
“Okayama Kobo Bakery & Cafe offers a distinct and authentic experience, bringing quality fresh-baked breads and pastries to the community, closer to home,” said Taylor Herring, General Manager of Ward Village. “Our dining scene is a cultural melting pot, as our merchants are setting the stage with flavors and ingredients from around the world.”
All products are made using 100% Hokkaido flour imported directly from Japan and displayed for customer selection at the 817-square-foot space designed by TAKr Architect & Associates. Signature menu items include the Salt & Butter Roll, baked Curry Pan, Strawberry Milk Cream Croissant, and the Japanini – a bacon, tomato, shiso leaves, cheese and Japanese mayo panini.
“Our menu is designed with our customers in mind, offering a range of options that are convenient to grab and go without having to compromise on quality or service,” said Rocky Yoneyama, Director of Okayama Kobo Bakery & Cafe. “We look forward to serving the diverse community that visits and calls Ward Village home.”
The well-being of its staff is a key ingredient in Okayama Kobo Bakery & Cafe’s operations, fostering an environment where employees can have fun and grow, contributing to a positive customer service experience.
Okayama Kobo Bakery & Cafe, located in the former Starbucks Coffee space, will operate from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. from Tuesday through Sunday, with an anticipated grand opening in the first quarter of 2024.
For more information, please visit www.wardvillage.com or www.okayamakobousa.com/honolulu.
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About Ward Village®
Ward Village is a 60-acre master planned community by Howard Hughes Holdings Inc. in the heart of Honolulu, located between downtown and Waikīkī. Honoring the distinct history of its land, Ward Village is at the forefront of sustainable community development—integrating striking architecture, culture and arts, and public open space. At full buildout, the community will include thousands of homes and approximately one million square feet of unique retail in what Architectural Digest named “Best Planned Community in the United States.”
As a result of strong demand for new housing in urban Honolulu, Ward Village quickly sold out its first seven mixed-use residential towers—Waiea®, Anaha®, Ae‘o®, Ke Kilohana®, ʻAʻaliʻi®, Kō‘ula®, and Victoria Place®—transforming the popular shopping and dining district into a thriving urban neighborhood that offers ocean views and open space, including its newest outdoor gathering place, Victoria Ward Park. New residential buildings in development or under construction include Victoria Place and Kalae®. Since launching public sales in July 2021, The Park Ward Village®has become the fastest-selling market tower in the history of Ward Village. Approved by the Hawaiʻi Community Development Authority (HCDA) in 2021, The Park Ward Village and Ulana Ward Village® will be the newest mixed-use developments to join the neighborhood.
As a LEED-ND Platinum-certified master planned community, Ward Village demonstrates its commitment to responsible, mixed-use development by investing in public benefits and amenities for Honolulu’s urban community. For more information, visit http://www.wardvillage.com/.
About Howard Hughes Holdings Inc.
Howard Hughes Holdings Inc. owns, manages, and develops commercial, residential, and mixed-use real estate throughout the U.S. Its award-winning assets include the country’s preeminent portfolio of master planned communities, as well as operating properties and development opportunities including: the Seaport in New York City; Downtown Columbia® in Maryland; The Woodlands®, Bridgeland® and The Woodlands Hills® in the Greater Houston, Texas area; Summerlin® in Las Vegas; Ward Village® in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi; and Teravalis™ in the Greater Phoenix, Arizona area. The Howard Hughes portfolio is strategically positioned to meet and accelerate development based on market demand, resulting in one of the strongest real estate platforms in the country. Dedicated to innovative placemaking, the company is recognized for its ongoing commitment to design excellence and to the cultural life of its communities. Howard Hughes Holdings Inc. is traded on the New York Stock Exchange as HHH. For additional information visit www.howardhughes.com.
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