"So, how is the store coming along?"

"How is the store coming?"
This question I get asked almost every single day. Especially this last weekend at the Gig Harbor Wine & Food Festival (which can I just say was totally awesome fun-ness). I always think to myself whether or not I should say what I really have been up to because the behind the scene stuff can be kind of mind dumbing.  Nobody wants to hear about the little things that happen day to day that contribute to the overall journey.
-Applied for a liquor license.

-Researched POS equipment. 

-Compared shelving/displays. 

-Visited a suppliers warehouse. 

-Opened the bank account. 

-Talk to the Washington State Department of Agriculture/Liquor Control Board/ Business Licensing.

This is what I've been up to all while keeping my day job. 

Here I am at Real Foods!

I love samples. I have learned so much about food, and preparation of food. Who would have known that ONE factory does private labeling for so many stores… at almost ruined the culinary magic for me, almost. 

Next stop, Charlie's Produce. Huge selection of Organic Produce, which I am THRILLED about!

Today however was different. Today I got some excellent news. I received a letter in the mail from the hearings examiner from the City of Gig Harbor that granting me permission for the conditional use permit (drive thru) and acceptance regarding the non conforming structure and the Major Site Plan review was well, reviewed?! and we can now move forward and submit building plans. TODAY WAS HUGE! 

Here are some renderings of what the Design Review Board and Hearing Examiner are supporting.
Front.

Backside. Drive thru.

Here's me celebrating the news with a mug of wine! 

Thanks for all the support and encouragement, and I hope next time I get asked about "how the store is coming" I can give you some more exciting updates. 

Steph.

Painting the yellow brick walls

Design Review Board? Check!

The city of Gig Harbor design Review Board accepted the proposed changes to paint the exterior brick of the store. You maybe asking yourself, so what? Well if you are fluent in the Gig Harbor municipal code you would know that the painting or staining of brick is STRICTLY PROHIBITED! So we were asked to present our case to a Design Review board. The board gave us lots of great feed back and voted for the proposed change. Now, next up is the hearings examiner and conditional use permit. 

     

I want stuff. they want stuff. Sometimes its hard to find my non-stuffy stuff.

As a entrepreneur, I want to let you know that there is a lot of stuff.

Here's some stuff you will need if you choose to start a business:

Time. Lots of time.
Patience. Lord, working with government agencies can be challenging.
Resources. Yes folks, I am talking about da cheddar. (But you have to say it gangsta... Chedda... My husband read it totally dorky!... as if me writing "chedda" isn't dorky enough- okay we will call it even on the dork scale.)
& Encouragement from your favorite people.

Smile. You got this stuff!

First off this week, The bank gave me a task to break up my existing business plan into 4 separate plans. As if working on the initial document wasn't time consuming enough.

Then the Small Business Development Center sent me a 15 page deli/ restaurant PRE-OPENING CHECKLIST to "help" in my process of knowing all the stuff I need to do.

***CONFESSION***
I am blogging because this is mind numbing work. It is VERY important, but I am getting slightly overwhelmed with the shear volume of STUFF.
*******************

Distributors/ Suppliers- You are too funny. No one wants to give you the prices of stuff unless you are placing an order that day. Do you not want business?   I get it, I have worked in the manufacturing/ wholesale industry for the last 6 years, but come on people. I can't order cases of Amaretti di Saronno cookies, if I am in the middle of a remodel & opening next year.  I need pricing. I understand that pricing is "subject to change" but for the sake of mindful, cash flow forecasting, give me something!- end Rant.

shift gears...

So far, some cool products I must carry are:

Govino Shatterproof 16oz wine glasses with no slip thumb groove

PacknWood Bamboo utensils 

Stonewall Kitchen's Roasted Apple Grill Sauce 

I've been able to find suppliers and pricing for these treasures. The trouble lies in the fact that I'm really trying to be mindful in this process. Products supplied from Costco or Cash& Carry would be SO much easier... But that is too "normal" for this Mommapenerur! 

Steph. not stuff.

they are submitted.

It is May. Last week I walked up to City Hall with my Big Girl Panties on and a smile from ear to ear, I could actually feel my dimples concaved on my face. I walked through the doors with the builder and my architect by my sides and pushes hundreds of packets of paper across the counter to apply for permits. We were officially starting the process of converting the 1980's Yellow Brick Bank into my dream, maritime specialty grocery…

Here is me after the submittal.

Here is me the next day with my Notice of Application Sign

Here is the letter I received that my applications complete.

Now I wait…

I have never in my life experienced such a strong "I hope they like me" feeling.  Here goes nothing!

Steph

Trade Shows! This might be the best part.

I have done my fair share of trade show, but I have always been the exhibitor. I have worked in wholesale my entire career and now for the first time- I am attending as a buyer. The first show I attended this year was the Fancy Food Show in San Francisco- which was very fun except for the fact that I invited my sisters, who are so dramatic it is stupid. and my Mom was verbally accosted by a homeless man- overall it was a typical weekend with the girls. I got lots of ideas but mainly overwhelmed.

The second show I attended was the Seattle Food Service Show. It was tiny compared to the Monster of a show in San Fran, but I felt is was do able for being Coby's (hubby/ business partner) first trade show. We left with lots of ideas and plenty to chew on. 

The next show is in Las Vegas and then New York in the fall, these are seriously too fun. 

Equipment, fixture Layout- God, I wish I knew what I was doing

I have a floor plan, and now I must fill it. I know we want to have a Coffee Bar with drive thru, a full service deli, a large beer and wine section, dry goods, light produce and housewares… Now where does it all go and how? I have never done this before. I have set up a mean garage sale or two and hosted plenty of rockin' soirees but merchandising a store is a whole new animal.

Oh I hit up the flea Market on Saturday Morning… Check out my finds.

I had a lovely day playing with the kids, meeting up with an old friend to talk about the store and before long we will get this empty building outfitted to house the neatest little shop in Gig Harbor!

Steph

From Legos to Logos...

We have Moved! And can I just tell you I HATE moving, especially with kiddos. I packed up all the boys toys and I still am finding little, tiny Legos everywhere. EVERYWHERE!

All and all it was a successful transition. I was surprised how emotional I was when we finally left. This was our first home. We brought our babies home here. All the boys took there first steps in that living room. I guess they are right, the only thing that stay constant is change.

So earlier this month were working on a logo without much luck… I am going to advise you readers to heed my advise when I say, DO NOT buy a graphic design package on ESTY. It is very hard to convey a businesses identity through email. I found it impossible to really get my ideas across. You must meet the person and enjoy a macchiato with them.  Finally I bit the bullet and hired my dear friend Michael Hutton- whom may I add is a spectacular artist to do the work and he has brought some awesome stuff to the table (so much so that I am having a hard time deciding).

Here a a few I am wrestling with…

 

 

Gosh this is hard.

 

Steph