The poster explaining the reason for the closure of the family-run business is breaking hearts around the internet.

It’s not uncommon for family-run shops and eateries to close occasionally due to unforeseen circumstances, with owners leaving plain, hand-written notes on the door to let customers know when they’ll be back for business. A soba restaurant in Uchi-Kanda, in Tokyo’s Chiyoda Ward, however, expressed regret to diners for their sudden closure with a large colour poster, complete with photos of the business in its early years, along with a brief explanation revealing why they’re no longer able to stay open.

▼ Twitter user @Ki_46ozzie took this photo of the poster outside the Maruka soba restaurant. It’s since been retweeted more than 14,000 times.

The poster reads: “We sincerely thank you for your wonderful daily patronage. Now, we will be closed temporarily due to worsening of the storekeeper’s soba buckwheat allergy. To all our customers who have provided us with their patronage over the years since 1903 in the Kanda area, a long period of time which spans 113 years, we would like to express our deep gratitude from the bottom of our hearts. We sincerely thank you.”

Given that soba noodles are made from buckwheat, a buckwheat allergy is a significant concern to anyone working at a soba restaurant. Hearing about the sad situation while looking at photos of the happy family and the storefront with large floral decorations at the time of its grand opening is bringing tears to the eyes of Japanese Twitter users.

“I feel so incredibly sorry for the owner. Not being able to succeed in your father’s footsteps with the family soba business due to an allergy is an absolute tragedy.”
“Having a soba allergy myself, I know how painful it can be. I can only pray that their condition improves.”
“With such detailed reasons explaining their circumstances, nobody can blame them for closing.”
“It’s so sad because you know years of family tradition will end if there’s no successor to continue the business.”
“The owner must’ve persevered with the condition for some time. It says it’s a temporary closure so I hope somebody else can stand in their place, rather than the owner returning only to get worse again in the future.”

The only glimmer of hope in this sad story is the mention that the closure is temporary. We sincerely hope the family is able to find a solution to the problem so they can continue with their longstanding business well into the future.

Source: Buzzmag
Top Image: Twitter/Ki_46ozzie