Breaking ground

Tons of news!

Hi everyone,

Hi! It’s been so long! This is the first time since starting my newsletter that I’ve gone over a month without writing. Sorry about that. Some things I just wasn’t ready to write about, but couldn’t figure out what else to say. Let’s get right into the goings-on with the project.

A few weeks ago I was able to reach a deal with BDC, and have secured a loan large enough to finance the rest of the startup. It is a milestone for the business. It’s terrifying borrowing with interest rates almost as high as credit cards. With that in mind, it really emphasizes the importance of community support. I am going to keep my GoFundMe campaign open until the bakery opens. Your donation, large or small, will help me reach my $20,000 goal.

I was given keys to the space a little over a week ago. Spending time down there, showing it to friends and equipment suppliers, it has been a great turning point. The plan feels alive now. It’s not just something that exists as a business plan and loan application. My list of equipment isn’t just a list of what I would purchase - it is a list of equipment I am purchasing.

Getting the back cleared.

Construction and renovations began today. It was pretty interesting to see so many tradespeople in the space today; cutting holes in the ceiling, demolishing the old coffee bar. The pace of this project has never really been up to me. I do my best to keep it on track, but there is so much that is out of my control. Now, it feels like I can’t keep up.

One last look at the plan before we pulled the bar out.

With construction started, that moves me into the fixturing period of the lease. The clock has started. 120 days before the commencement period, day one of the 10 year lease. Because the scope of the renovations are not that broad, I am hoping to have the space setup by October. I was trying to arrange the purchase of a sheeter today, and was told arrival could be in December. I said, “that’s won’t work, I need something sooner”. I am amazed things are moving along as they are. It won’t be long now.

I want to share some other happy news with you now, some personal news. My wife, Kat, and I are expecting. We are both thrilled, happy, and really looking forward to the crazy future we have ahead of us. Sometimes I feel like I have barely come back down to Earth since finding out myself a few months ago. It has been a wonderful few weeks of telling family and friends, and daydreaming about how different our lives will be. I am so happy to share this news with you all.

Please stay tuned. I can’t wait to continue to share this journey with you. We are getting so close, I can almost smell it.

Please reach out, let me know you’re looking forward to visiting the bakery. Contact Kat and send her your best wishes. You’re support means the world to us.

Thank you again, so kindly, for being part of this future community bakery.