The store journey began a couple years ago when Mom decided she wanted to get off the road a little more and be home to enjoy the things that are important to us like family! I was pregnant with my first child so we knew that life was gonna force us to change something. She found the first piece of property she was interested in for the store and when that didn't come together she was a little bummed! Then another piece caught her eye and when the financing fell through a family friend who was helping advise the deal just called and said he would finance it! A God thing for sure! She never asked or anything just assumed that wasn't part of God's plan! But when she got that call if she ever doubted where she was suppose to go she knew then! At this point a year had gone by and I was pregnant with my second child (Close I know!!!) and my brother and sister-in-law were expecting as well causing the need to be closer home and off the road even more!
Mom went to bank after bank trying to get financed but was having a hard time since no one really understood the concept of our business and all the different avenues we have, plus the lending market was a bit tight since the economy etc. Once again though, God came through and sent mom to a bank that said they would love to work with us and were actually excited for us! This was a 4 year process all together! There were times when mom just wanted to throw in the towel and give up! She questioned if that's even where we were suppose to be! There were ALOT of pep talks, hugs, tear wiping and frustration for sure!
When we finally got the call that we were getting the store after hours and hours, days, weeks, and months of getting bids, making phone calls, scheduling appointments and so on it was an emotion of we finally did it, it's really happening, OMG we're gonna have a store that we have to work at everyday :O! A total surge of emotions balled into one! Here is the actual picture we took when we got the call!!!!
We're dorks I know!
We are now getting ready for the slab. That means plumber the dreaded electrical and then concrete!!!!
Here's the stages so far:
Dirt work...
Forms...
Ready for plumbing and electrical!
We hope that in building this it will give our family a chance at some normalcy not that it will ever be normal and a place for us to work away from home! We would like for our homes to be the safe havens they were intended to be instead of a storage compartment for all of our stuff, offices etc.! Where our family can enjoy each other while making a living at the same time! We appreciate everyone who has helped in this process and for all of those who we will cross paths with during this new journey. A friend, and antique dealer we know, Mark, put it well when he said that we were building, "Our Destination!" Which is so true we have been on the journey now it's time to get to the destination! Bitter Sweet!
The frequent Q&A :
Where will the store be located? It's actually about 5 miles north of where we live on I-45 Southbound in New Waverly, Tx.
Will we still travel? At this point yes! We enjoy traveling and getting to see and meet everyone!
How big is it and what will you sell? It's 10,000 sq ft with the back half being warehouse and manufacturing for all of our wholesale goods. The front half with have an original antique soda shop serving ice cream and refreshments, antiques, apparel and home goods. We will turn the current barn that is there on the site for storage into an antique architectural warehouse. It will be nothing like you have ever seen or experienced and a must see that's for sure!
I will TRY to keep you posted on the process as it unfolds (key word try)!!!:)
