Well, just goes to show you can't anticipate everything that may come up. I got the larger furnishings and shelves and tables into place, and although I like to think of myself as a visual artist, suddenly looked around and realized 90% of the store ended at four feet high. Those several feet of upper space cost me the same amount as the lower space, right? so I got right on the problem and thrifted myself every peg rack, little shelf I could mount hooks underneath, wire plate holders, and other hanging devices and started tacking them up. The decision on placement was usually handled by the fact that there were about 300 previous holes so I used those and will patch the remainder with sponging, like the previous folks did.
Pat then came and ironed, beautifully ironed, many aprons and smocks and linen tea towels and we hung them from the aforementioned hooks and wow! It's looking really like a store! I still can't fit the last two years of crafting in there, so there will be back stock, already put four boxes of cookbooks into a cupboard.
Today, hang the wood stuff I picked up thrifting with Pat on the way home yesterday, and I got three more wood magazine racks to scrub and get ready, most expensive one $7, to go with the $18 oak one from the antiques store around the corner. I also picked up more dishes, so clean and get those inventoried. Mostly today not exciting. Filling out zoning paperwork, occupancy paperwork, need to check my fire extinguishers today in case of refills, several calls to suppliers inquiring about minimums and shipping--including a place near Cleveland that has gallon and half-gallon wide mouth jars, and a tea wholesaler in Chicago. Follow up on the gaskets again. Try not to be depressed about the constant rain, at least it's just rain and not the inches of snow my friends in Michigan are experiencing--had enough cold and snow for this winter, thank you. Documents to fax, pictures to process for accompanying forms, not fun but necessary.
All prayers and advice much appreciated. Oh, and I made out my wanteds for The Budget, so those will start next week. "Bulk food store opening in May in Marysville, Ohio, seeking local egg growers, call ----." and "Bulk food store opening in May in Marysville, Ohio, seeking local catnip grower" and "raspberry leaf" and "broom maker" and so on. Will run one every two weeks until I have my local suppliers, it's only $10 for two weeks, a good way to spread the word to Mennonites, Amish, and country folk in the area. Peace.
Your store sounds wonderful - when things fall into place like this, it's a sign that He's doing the organising :)
I read your blogs regularly and always find them a source of good ideas and advice.
Jane (in Pretoria, South Africa)
Posted by: Jane Smith | April 21, 2011 at 06:39 AM