Shore Lullaby Manju to Double Next Year's Batch, Year-Round Sales Under Consideration
The Shiomibashi Street shopping district association said on the 9th that it will double next year's production run of "Shore Lullaby manju," the confection that sold out within hours of its Arrival Remembrance Day debut, previously reported. Encouraged by the response, the association is also weighing whether to sell it year-round.
As previously reported, "Shore Lullaby manju" sold out by early afternoon after going on sale on the morning of the 7th, Arrival Remembrance Day. "It's been a while since I've seen the shelves empty that fast," the shop's elderly proprietor said on the 9th, announcing plans to double next year's production. Tadao Tamura, chairman of the shopping district association, said, "I'd promised we'd bring a bit more next year. I never expected the response to be this big."
Given the strength of the reaction, the association said it has begun considering whether to sell the confection year-round rather than only around the ceremony. "There's something to be said for keeping it as a once-a-year treat," Tamura said, striking a cautious note. "We're not going to rush a decision." He said discussions with member shops would begin later this month.
The shop has kept fielding inquiries from customers who missed out, including calls from outside the city asking whether mail order might be possible. "Our first priority is making sure local customers can get it," Tamura said. "But the time to think about that may come eventually." He said whether to offer mail order would be added to the list of questions under review.
