Persuading the Orphanage
The persuasion of Elsa’s father was over.
Once the persuasion at the orphanage is done, we can start moving forward.
Of course, I have the Marquis’s permission, so I’ll visit the orphanage and attempt to persuade them.
“Hahh. The orphanage… opening a restaurant?”
“Yes. Oh, but initially, it will be temporarily managed by me. Negotiating with the current owner was quite challenging.”
“That’s… Is it about the orphans cooking?”
“No, that seemed fine. They will also teach cooking. But they didn’t want to agree to be paid for the building…”
“Donating a restaurant… that would be troublesome. But you are suddenly telling us to operate a restaurant, and I’m not sure what to do?”
“The kids will learn everything going forward. Initially, I’ll lend funds, including operating capital, without collateral. Eventually, I will make profit. On top of that, if they pay me the amount it cost me to purchase the restaurant, it will officially become the orphanage’s property.”
This is my plan.
Initially, I’ll support them in various ways, but eventually, the orphanage will run it independently.
Of course, the staffing will be up to the orphanage.
“I understand what you are trying to do. However, we have no people with the knowledge to run a store…”
“That’s not a problem because the former restaurant owners will be there. They will teach the kids everything from money management, bookkeeping to customer service.”
“Then, what about the ingredients for the shop?”
“The former owners will go shopping with them. The kids won’t be able to understand the quality of things unless they experience it. Also, when going shopping, it will be under the name of ‘Copper Rank Merchant’s shop,’ not ‘Orphanage’s shop.'”
One of the reasons I insisted on buying the shop was this.
If it’s just ‘Orphanage’s shop,’ they might be underestimated, but it won’t be the same with ‘Copper Rank Merchant’s shop.’
If things go wrong, there might be repercussions.
Well, I’ll only tell Alizée about it, and the rest is none of my business.
“Is it okay for people, even children, to handle customer service at the restaurant?”
“It should be okay. The building is located slightly away from the center of the food district but faces the main street. The security is good, and it will operate only during lunch, not serving alcohol, so fights will be unlikely. The Lord will lend guards for a while too, so everything should be fine.”
“Will it be possible for the children who graduate from the orphanage to work at the restaurant then?”
“That’s up to the orphanage’s decision. However, keep in mind that the second floor of the shop is where the former owner’s family lives, so they can’t stay overnight. That part needs to be respected. I only bought the first-floor storefront.”
“Understood. Then let’s gather children who are interested in working at a restaurant.”
“Yes, please.”
Fourteen children gathered in response to the director’s call.
It’s more than I imagined, but I think it’ll work somehow.
If they plan to operate the restaurant every day, they’ll need to take breaks and might get tired easily, especially in the beginning.
Now, with the personnel secured, all that’s left is to teach them how to cook and run the restaurant, right?