For the Lonely, the Hungry, and the Homesick

Running a food business is not easy like many think. People think, ‘Let’s just open and let’s just cook.’ But especially with Indonesian cuisine, which is not that popular here, I really had to put myself out there and introduce people to the food.

Giving samples. Talking to people. And sometimes you will get rejected. In the beginning, when that happened, I got sad. But then I told myself, no, this is my job. It’s normal to get rejection. My job is to sell and introduce people to the food.

It is challenging, but once you crack the code, it’s good.

There are many places out there making very good food, but what’s important to us here at Toko Bintang is the service. I don’t only want to sell my food, I want to connect with my customers.

I want to know who you are. Your name, your job, where you’re from. I don’t want people to just come here, buy food, and leave.

Some customers have even become our friends now. Some people come here and don’t even buy anything, they just want to talk to us. And I love that. I love to talk anyway.

Toko Bintang is actually a takeaway. But we still put out chairs and tables because we want people to have a place to be. Not just grab food and disappear. A third place, in a way.

Where I'm from, you can go to a small eatery as a stranger, but leave as a friend. You know what I mean?

That's what we're trying to create here. You have your home, a place where you go to work, and a place where you go to hang out. That's what we want Toko Bintang to become.

The businesses around here have been very supportive, even though we are all food businesses. The owner of Lille India came by with flowers to congratulate us on the opening. The owner of Enigma also came to support us.

The lady who owns Hoga Pizza tried our food and posted about us on Instagram, even though she already has many customers herself. One neighbour named Johan even brought us plants, and checks how dry the soil is every time he pops by. He gave us two watering cans because he felt we weren’t doing a good enough job watering them. (laughs)

This is how I feel businesses should be, you don't see people as your competitor, but see them as your partner. Business is better done that way.

I've never felt like that was too small. I just wanted to try more, be a bit more visible. Because in the grocery store in Klepp, we were behind the store where not everybody could see it. It was never about big or small.

To be honest, I miss it sometimes, that small place. It felt more personal, us and the customers. We really talked.

There are so many. Every guest is special to us.

The people (starts tearing up). It's the people that keeps us going.

Can you imagine three years with no salary? My first salary is coming today! (laughs through tears)

The people, I think that's it.

I hope eventually we can provide job opportunities. That has always been my dream, even before I started this business.

When I was living in Bali a long time ago, it was very hard for me to get a job. So now, I want to be able to give jobs to other people.

You don’t have to be smart. You don’t have to be pretty, tall, or fit some standard of the world. I just want people who are willing to work. Give people a chance.

It doesn’t matter to me if someone is an ex-prisoner. If you really want to work and change your life, then yeah.

I just want you to feel happy with what you spend. That's it. During difficult times now, we put a good price so people don't feel scared to go out and spend money. After a long day at work, at least you can still treat yourself.

It's never been about money, why we're doing this. If not we're already closed a long time ago, you know what I mean?

It's more about the people, and that's the beautiful thing. Hugging people, a stranger.