Ask President Kashima about "Freaks Store" and beyond.
Finally, please enjoy this interview with Mr. Kashima, founder of Freaks Store and president of Daytona International!
Why did you take the plunge to renovate the main store at this time?
Mr. Kashima says he travels to the U.S. whenever he can find the time and travels around the U.S. on his favorite motorcycle.
Kashima:Of course it was not a quick decision, but rather something that has been in preparation for many years and it is finally in place. Corona, for example, has nothing to do with it.
What is the meaning of the word "The Camp" in the name of the store?
Kashima:There are two reasons for this: we want to be a base camp for all lifestyles, not to mention camping for those who prefer the outdoors. Therefore, we want to weave the outdoors into what Freaks Store has been doing so far, such as fashion, cars, music, and sports.
Kashima:I think the outdoors is now synchronized with various genres. For music, it is outdoor festivals, and for cars, it is van life. Even in fashion, more and more people are adopting outdoor brands. This was one of the reasons why I chose "outdoor" as a keyword for this project.
The concept of the renewal is "a store where we can find affluence together".
Kashima:The Internet allows us to directly access what we want. That's great, but what I like about shopping is that I can also enjoy the process of getting there. It can be a failure or, on the other hand, an unexpected harvest.
Kashima:I think there is room for all kinds of experiences when shopping. That's why we are trying to create a mechanism that allows shoppers to make a side trip, such as a crossover of genres. I hope that we can help people discover a new richness by proactively doing such things.
If you were Kashima-san, how would you spend your time if you visited this store?
Kashima:First, look for small items that will give you a hint for your next trip. After that, I buy a cup of coffee at the coffee stand outside, carefully select a book I want to read from the used book section, and turn the pages while relaxing on the sofa on the second floor.
It's an inefficient way to shop, because if you're bad, that's all you have to do for the rest of the day. It is inefficient as a way of shopping, because it only takes a moment to click on the Internet. But I think such unnecessary time is the source of affluence. I feel that unnecessary and hurried things are being emphasized more than necessary due to the influence of Corona, and that is why I want people to enjoy unnecessary time and linger in this store, and I have prepared many tricks for that purpose.
It looks like there is still a lot of space left over. Do you have any plans for new developments there in the future?
Kashima:Yes, that's right. For example, I would like to work with people who really love America and have been pursuing this genre for a long time, such as by having a slightly sharp car shop as a shop-in-shop.
Kashima:That's what "Orange" is doing this time, too. With America as the axis, I would like to connect various cultures beyond genres. That is what I would like to do. Another thing I would like to do is to expand this type of store throughout Japan. For example, a complex that includes a bakery and a hotel.
Kashima:We must continue to do what we dream of doing, while never forgetting our original goal of "conveying the richness of America" (laughs).
