From Ameyoko to Kuramae, the 46-Year Commitment to American Goods at the Long-Established General Goods Store "Garakuta Boeki" Founded in 1979

The long-established general goods store "Garakuta Boeki" offers a wide range of retro American goods. It has been a year since the store moved from Ameyoko to Kuramae. We spoke with Hitoshi Ikeda, the head of the product department at Sunny Inc., about the store's 46-year history and recent changes.

The First Store of Garakuta Boeki was in Ochanomizu

"The first store of Garakuta Boeki was opened in 1979 by the previous generation near the Surugadai intersection close to Ochanomizu Station. Initially, it was a store selling clothes and goods purchased in America.

"Later, it expanded to multiple locations in various neighborhoods such as Shimokitazawa, Meguro, Shinjuku Alta, Kagurazaka, and Yokohama. The store operated under different names, each with distinct assortments and concepts.

"Additionally, there were franchise-like operations of Garakuta Boeki in Sapporo and Sendai. The Ameyoko store opened in 1993, during which time the management transitioned to the previous generation, and it operated in Ameyoko for a remarkable 30 years."

Move to Kuramae

Many people might have the impression that "Garakuta Boeki is synonymous with Ameyoko"—a perception shaped by its 30-year history there. Let's delve into the stories from Ameyoko and the reasons behind the current relocation to Kuramae.

"The Ameyoko store was about four times larger than the current location, with a wider variety and quantity of items. In addition to a colorful array of goods ranging from new to antique, we also had furniture on display. The clothing selection was also more extensive, making it a bustling and popular store.

"I used to travel to America for purchases while also working in the store, so my days were quite busy. After 30 years in Ameyoko, the previous owner decided to retire from management, and that’s when Sunny Inc. took over the business.

"We then discussed wanting to create a store that was 'relaxed, enjoyable, and cool,' and while searching for properties, we discovered this one in Kuramae. Having familiarity with the area, we decided on this location, though it took about half a year to find this property."

Commitment to American Goods Unchanged for 46 Years

Now, let's explore the current offerings of Garakuta Boeki. We discussed items that have remained unchanged over the years, those that have consistently been popular, and the store's commitment to its selection.

"Compared to the Ameyoko store, the smaller space limits what we can display, so while we inherit the Ameyoko vibe, we no longer stock antique furniture and goods.

"Our selection is fundamentally based on products that carry the essence of America. Additionally, I believe the charm of Garakuta Boeki lies in cute items, which we pay close attention to when sourcing.

"Some long-selling items include the American incense 'GONESH No.8' and merchandise from the Claymation series 'Gumby,' which aired in the 1950s. These often sell out before you know it.

"On the practical side, we have a wide variety of 'Room Sign Plates,' with popular options being 'Office,' 'No Smoking,' and 'Restroom.'

"Additionally, buckets are quite popular. Male customers who like American casual styles often buy American buckets. They use them not just as buckets, but also as decorative pieces in their garage or as trash bins—enjoying them in various ways."

"As for other offerings, we have American tableware starting with 'Tuxton,' and items like the 'BIG BOY BANK' (a savings bank featuring a character from a long-established American restaurant), as well as environmentally conscious bags from the American outdoor brand 'Cotopaxi.' We carry a variety of items, from those that have remained unchanged for years to those we recently started handling."

Original Items from Garakuta Boeki

Those familiar with Garakuta Boeki since the Ameyoko era may have an image of original apparel as well. Let's take a look at some items.

"The variety of original apparel is slightly limited due to the store's size compared to the Ameyoko shop, but we currently have 'Baseball T-shirts' and 'Football T-shirts' available, and we released several printed T-shirts during the summer.

"We have created several types of original 'stickers' in our merchandise line. I think it would be nice to gradually add more items like caps in the future."

The age range of customers visiting Garakuta Boeki is quite broad, with high school students as well as customers in their 60s who love the 50s and can pull off a pompadour.

Many of the customers who love American culture come from distant places to visit Kuramae, and Ikeda said, "We want to preserve the taste of 'American goods' that has a 46-year history, while also trying new things for those customers."

If you find yourself in Kuramae, why not stop by the store?