C61
Isidor sat on the roof of his own building, gazing in incomprehension at the building across the street where the business had just started.
He had been as busy as a bee preparing for the opening of Armand for the past few months.
It worked well.
It was a very successful start.
From the first day of the grand opening, Armand had been packed with people.
He expected success, but somehow an unfamiliar feeling of relief came over him.
He had been running the business as if he were playing, so he had never been so restless about the upcoming results.
However, strangely, he couldn't sleep last night.
Maybe it's because of the business partner he worked with.
Usually, after the aristocrat who operates the top entrusts the store to the skilled merchant, they don't pay proper attention most of the time.
But the princess was very active.
From the beginning with that purple logo to the menu, the exterior of the store, even the interior, everything contained Princess Deborah's touch.
"The promotion method was fun too."
She knew how to grab people's attention. Even though she had never started a business before.
Maybe it's because we went through the whole process together, so he didn't want to see her, who had been busy all the time, discouraged.
"Well, actually... there's no way it won't go well."
However, he couldn't guarantee 100 percent of everything, so he supposed he was paying attention to the results.
He spent a long time on the roof, watching people gather in front of the clock tower.
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"Finally, I've entered <Armand> that I've only heard of in words. I've been waiting in line for two hours."
"I never expected there would be so many people queuing up. I'm surprised."
The aristocratic ladies entering the store in groups chatted with excited faces and settled in a well-lit spot.
"It's nice here."
"I know, right. The ambiance is pleasant."
"Oh?"
Curiosity arose in the eyes of the ladies who were looking at the menu.
"By the way, what on earth is a fixed menu?"
"We sell black tea and pastries together as a combo, ma'am. There are also other combos, so please check them out slowly."
The manager who surrounded them explained kindly.
"Ah, so that's why there was a phrase 'A sweet black tea and OO' on the banner. It meant to imagine a dessert paired with the drink."
[Combo A: Sweet black tea + pastries]
"So, what about the flower tea?"
"For the flower tea, cakes with whipped cream are sold together."
[Combo B: Fragrant flower tea and whipped cream cake]
"The four words were whipped cream cakes."
"The milk tea was with macarons."
[Combo C: Smooth milk tea and macaron]
The unfamiliar concept of a "fixed menu" was readily and cheerfully accepted by the ladies through the questionable word puzzle at the time of the grand opening preparation.
"As expected, the tasty pastry goes with black tea. Bitter-flavored milk tea is perfect for sweet macarons."
"It's a combination of tea and cake for the first time, so I'm looking forward to it."
Everyone started ordering the combos as if they were fascinated by something.
"Ordering like this is cheaper than ordering separately from the menu."
They didn't show it to maintain their dignity, but they felt the joy as if they had financial gains in their hearts.
"Give me combo A."
"Yes, ma'am."
Busy wizards and knights who weren't interested in desserts preferred the combo because they could easily order the menu without having to say the names of the complex teas and pastries.
It was also convenient to have only three options.
They didn't have to worry complicatedly about what to eat.
"It's cheaper than ordering separately. They're a little hungry, so it's fine."
Black tea with pastries.
It's common but a combination that everyone who didn't have preferences liked.
"Is it tasty and delicious? Shall we try combo C again?"
The wizard paused for a moment.
"No, hey, the fresh cream cake that the ladies are eating looks more delicious. Let's try combo B."
They also enjoyed spending time in the café and then returned.
Customers who passed by Armand said the meaning of the phrase on the banner was a fixed menu, and rumors that would help the store also spread.
"Haha. There are such clever menus. It's even more economical than buying separately. How does it taste?"
"It's delicious. They used fresh and fragrant tea leaves. The baked bread is perfect too."
"The store's ambiance is good, and the lighting is good. How should I put it, the store feels like being on a terrace?"
On the other hand, the professors from the Academy of Architecture, who were attracted by its unique and beautiful exterior and came to Armand, didn't pay attention to the dessert on their minds.
"Who is the architect?"
"The more I see it, the more delicate and beautiful it is."
"As the building's framework is revealed through the active use of glass and steel, curiously, the structure looks light and elegant."
"The geometric and stylized curves that I can see from time to time were very impressive. When I entered, I felt the scent of tea becoming thicker as if I were in a forest."
"All of that was intentional."
Asserted the professor who drew the interior plan of the building.
"The interior was made straight so that the good smell circulates well. The flow is also good, and the space between the tables is great."
Even the common chairs and tables were soft and had no sharp corners, creating a comfortable atmosphere.
The warm colors of wood and high-quality floors stood out more due to the boldly opened windows' light.
"It was also impressive to see how they use blinds to control the lighting and daylight every hour."
The professor spoke and saw the employee lowering the long cord of the blinds to adjust the interior lighting.
"The harmony between the exterior and interior is also very good."
The flow of organic curves was alive on both sides. The purple color point, which is the same color as the logo, was also noted.
"It's to the point where I want to see the designer's face. It's a carefully planned building."
"I know, right."
Even those who knew nothing about architecture felt that Armand was a pleasant space to spend time in.
Not only on the first day of the opening but also the next day, Armand was filled with a steady stream of visitors.
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Establishing the menu.
It's a common practice in modern times, but it's a new concept for the people here.
When I organized the menu for the first time, the master also showed a curious expression when he saw the fixed menu.
"It works better than I thought."
Looking at the sales statement of <Armand> from last week, I nodded slightly.
"It sold very well even considering the opening."
"Usually, busy wizards and local administrators don't eat desserts very well, but they seem to sell well when packaged in sets like this."
The master tapped his finger.
"Despite the East Gate location, dessert sales were better than expected. Did you expect it?"
"Of course, I expected it."
I didn't know it would work so well, but I boasted.
"Hm! I have to appear as a powerful and capable figure."
I must continue to ride on the Master's bus.
"Customers who only drink tea consume twice as much as usual when choosing the fixed menu."
He enjoyed this phenomenon.
It wasn't much of a discount in terms of quantity, but everyone firmly believed it was reasonable consumption.
"They even made a purchase they didn't need, but they believe they've gained a small profit by saving a penny."
I barely suppressed a cunning smile.
"It worked well. The fixed menu will play a role as a good steeping water* for Armand for a while."
Steeping water?
His words sounded somewhat significant, so I narrowed my eyes a little.
Is there some issue I overlooked?
I thought about gradually changing the shape of the combo every month so that regulars wouldn't get tired.
In the case of combo A, which was the best seller, I was thinking of adding variety by constantly changing the flavor of the jam applied to the pastries.
It's probably just my feeling.
However, it didn't take me long to learn what the Master's "for a while" meant.
*Note: "Steeping water" here likely refers to something that enhances or supports the main product, similar to how steeping water is used to make tea or coffee. In this context, the fixed menu is seen as a supporting element for Armand's overall success.