Starting a bakery requires far more than just knowing how to bake bread. As a result of fast growth and changing eating habits, bakery products have become more popular among the general public. Today, we are thrilled and excited to share a small part of the iconic ‘Mascot’ tale with the people of Mokokchung and beyond.
According to the owner of Mascot Store, the word “Mascot” itself means a person or a thing that brings good luck, and that it has nothing but stood up to its name for the family. Mr. M. Supong Longkumer, from Ungma village, established the bakery in the late 1990s (1996) in order to provide healthy and affordable baked food to the people of Mokokchung. The store is a family-owned enterprise that his family has been running for almost three decades. It is located in Arkong Ward, I.M. Road, Mokokchung, adjacent to Imkongmeren Sports Complex.
Sanentila Longkumer, the daughter of Mr. M. Supong Longkumer has shared a story of Mascot Store. She is Mr. M. Supong Longkumer’s youngest daughter and is presently pursuing Bachelor of Education. Apart from that, she has always been intrigued by what his father does and has been interested in learning more about his field of work since a very young age.
“I’m in love with what I do, which I think is incredibly important,” she declared. “You won’t work with passion if you don’t enjoy what you do, and it will eventually wear you out,” she added.
She stated that despite having both bright and stormy days, their business is still operating normally. She continued by saying that one of the biggest challenges they face as business owners is that they work when there is electricity available rather than according to the clock. Another difficulty is the increase in the price of miscellaneous items, she added.
The owner went on to clarify that because there isn’t much they can do about it, they strive to adjust and make adjustments in their work flow while also making sure that quality and service aren’t compromised in any way.
When asked if the market is now too competitive for them, she responded, “As a member of this small, close-knit bakery family we have in our town, I don’t think it would be right to say that we are competing against each other or attempting to pull each other down.” She expressed that they’re like a family; “we try to bring out the best in each other by supporting one another and striving to be the best in our respective fields.”
Sanen also mentioned that Mascot is one of the places that people of Mokokchung, particularly those who were born in the 1980s and 1990s, grew up with and have many fond memories of, just like other old shops and bakeries in the community. Back in the day, Sanen recalled, high school students from different schools would swarm there during breaks just to spend Rs. 5 on a “paratha,” which was more than enough to satisfy the hunger of the bulk of people. Today, the store has evolved into an unofficial landmark that citizens of Mokokchung can recognise and use as a point of reference, she added.
However, the owner admitted that Mascot has gone through several stages throughout its history. “If God wills, along with the love and support of the citizens of Mokokchung, we may see a reinvigorated Mascot in the years to come,” she mentioned. “One that will strive to offer even better services to the residents of Mokokchung,” she remarked.
Today, Mokokchung Times brings you a brief interview with the proprietor’s youngest daughter, Sanentila, to grasp more about the “Mascot.”
MTimes: How do you maintain your marketing and delivery strategies?
Sanen: As you can see, our store is not located in a prime location where there is a lot of hustle and bustle, and on top of that, with the outbreak of COVID, we have come to see that people usually like to be at home in their own comfort zone with their phones. Last year, we had an idea to make use of social media like Facebook and Instagram to reach out to more people and make it easier for them to get hold of all the things we have to offer from our store. Not only that, but we also started providing delivery facilities to the people of Mokokchung, which has been a big help in boosting our sales ever since COVID hit us.
MTimes: Would you like to explain how you work in the bakery on a regular basis?
Sanen: The proverb “the early bird catches the worm” is a way of life for my father, Mr. M. Supong Longkumer. Since the day our shop opened, he has been the one to open the bakery at precisely 6:00 a.m. He prays within the business for a fruitful day. The night before, we complete all of our preparations, including setting out the equipment and supplies that will be used the following day. Because the electricity is quite inconsistent not only in our town but also in Nagaland, we must work according to their schedule, which can be challenging at times when we have to deal with a lot of requests. The solution is to get up early in order to do the task as quickly as possible.
MTimes: What are the items offered and what are their prices? Could you please name some? What are the hygiene standards that you adhere to?
Sanen: Like most bakeries in Mokokchung, we offer baked goods like biscuits, cakes, kata biscuits, parathas, etc., but apart from that, one thing we have introduced since last year are our pizzas and roasted chicken, which are the bestselling items in our store. The key to making the food not only pleasing to the eyes but even good for the body and soul is to have a sanitary and clean environment, which we always make our number one priority. We always make sure to clean our equipment before and after use, and we try to make everything as if it were made for oneself.
MTimes: What is your bakery’s specialty, and how do you attract customers?
Sanen: We started making pizzas and roast chicken to appeal to a broader range of customers. At first we thought this would attract mostly the younger sections of society, but we were in for a surprise when even the older folks began to like the taste of it and they would also give remarks that they had seen pizzas only on television and it was such a fine experience to finally taste this western delicacy that is much hyped in western countries. And just like that, these two items have become our signature food items from our store and, to put it in the words of our people who would like to say it whenever they place an order, “Mascot Pizza lir mali?”
MTimes: With all the customers you’ve dealt with over the years, how did you make sure they were happy with your service?
Sanen: The key is to have patience no matter how many customers there are. You have to have patience and be hospitable towards them. As the saying goes, “The Customer is King” and we have to make sure the king is always satisfied with our service.
MTimes: When is the busiest hour or day at your bakery?
Sanen: It varies from day to day, but generally it’s at mid-day, between 12:00 noon and 2:00 pm.
MTimes: Does the business generate enough revenue to support the family?
Sanen: We are content and can support our family on whatever we earn. This is because, for a business, the joy of doing what you love is just as vital as making a profit.
MTimes: Do you have any plans to update or renovate your bakery with new items?
Sanen: Yes, we have been planning a revamp to the name of “Mascot” by giving it a new refreshing touch but at the same time, not deviating from what it truly is and has stood for in almost 30 years of its existence. It is still a concept on the drawing board of our minds and might take time to materialise, but it is something our family truly looks forward to.