Gumi Appreciation Night

Last Saturday marked our first Gumi Appreciation Night! After nearly 10 years of Sake Gumi, 5 years of Shochu Gumi, and 1 year of Whisky Gumi, it was high time that we got all you crazy Gumi nuggets in here at the same time to party like its 1999. And party we did! 

With over 100 people RSVP'd we had to close the list down a week before the event. We were overwhelmed with the response and got down to planning for a proper hoe-down. Which for us meant, securing lots of magnum sakes, honkaku shochus, and special guest Chris Lane to make cocktails. We also made sure our shelves were looking extra shiny and cute for y'all to come through and do your holiday shopping.

It all started out polite and orderly with Kayoko checking in guests.

We even prepared nametags.

It was important that everyone labeled their cups, because the only rule of the night was "You only get one cup!"

As soon as 5pm rolled around, I heard the shaka-shaka-shaking of Chris' tins.

Some people chose to shop before going to the bar.

While others came early and already had their drinks!

At 5:10pm, it was standing room only.

With a bit of a dud of a year, it was all of your smiles that made it worth getting through.

A party is not complete without bites from Casa de Kei.

We set up some chairs outside for folks who wanted to take a breather. How cute is this?!

Shoulder to shoulder shopping.

I was standing in my little sake station corner all night, chatting and pouring. I'll have better labeling for tasting notes on each bottle next year, I promise!

Members discover the "Freebie Bin."

The fam bam!

Kayoko and I made a little speech, and marveled at the see of Gumi members in the shop!

Gumi members got 20% off of EVERYTHING that night. And y'all went shoppin'!

There was a long line, yet everyone was so polite. Love that.

"It's good to be Gumi!" I'm going to steal that!

This was probably around 7:15 after we closed the doors.

Someone got the memo that the dress code was Gumi Glam. We'll enforce it more heavily next year!

Thanks to our amazing Gumi members, our energetic team (including Sachi who took all of these great photos), and to my one an only life-wife Kayoko!

A huge and special thank you to all our sponsors for the evening: Sakeman, Fifth Taste, Nikaiko Shochu, Nankai Shochu, Honkaku Spirits, Skurnik Wines, JFC, Wismettac, High Road Spirits, Chris Lane, RNDC, Vine Connections, Joto Sake.