Hello, ChaiChitai Team!
I want to share a thought with you.
Lately I've been asking myself whether we should start opening later. Only a few guests come for breakfast in the morning, and opening later would help reduce our costs.
But personally, I love our mornings. After a workout, coming to the tea house, having breakfast, and enjoying the peaceful atmosphere gives me energy for the whole day. Still, the tea house shouldn't exist just for me.
This morning I was sitting there almost alone again. First, an elderly woman came in, and it was obvious how much she enjoyed being there. Then, as I was leaving, a man arrived with his father, smiled at me, and said, "Thank you for opening this tea house here. We come here for breakfast."
At that moment I realized that even for just a few people, it's worth opening in the morning.
Many people think the restaurant business is all about profit. For me, it isn't. In my previous business I made much more money, but I rarely felt appreciated. When I opened my first tea house in Ubud, the first thing I received wasn't money—it was gratitude, kind words, and genuine smiles from our guests.
That's why I always ask you to do everything with care and quality. The greatest reward is seeing people leave happier than when they arrived.
I often remember the time after PARQ closed. Our tea house in Ubud operated at a loss for more than six months, yet we kept opening every day. We did it for the few guests who were deeply affected by that situation and who may have seen our tea house as one of the few peaceful places where they could escape the stress. And we did it for our team, who needed work, salaries, and the ability to support their families. That was when I realized that sometimes a meaningful business is built not on profit, but on people.
So I no longer want to think about opening later. We will continue opening in the morning, even if only one, two, or three guests come. Over time, there will be more.
I want each of you to remember this: ChaiChitai is more than just a restaurant. It's a place for people. We create a space where someone can find peace, warmth, and care. And when our guests thank us for that, it reminds me that what we're doing truly matters.
Thank you, every one of you. I truly appreciate your work, and I'm grateful that together we're building not just a business, but a place that makes people's lives a little better.
