Since last October we have
been waiting to move forward on an opportunity for a new retail space in Carmel. We’re waiting for the lease to be
signed. The proposed collaboration between
Hale-Williams Interior Design and HomeScapes Carmel would give us access to a
large retail space and marketing opportunities and give HomeScapes Carmel a
stronger interior design presence. The
catch has been waiting for an agreement between the lease holder and
HomeScapes. Boring, Boring, Boring. Every little nuance of the contract has been
looked at twenty times or more. One
would think signing a lease wouldn’t take more than five months. Well, I’m here to tell you, it does. So, as we wait for the lease to be resolved
we have started looking for new product for the store. That will be part of our responsibility as
well as interior design services. We are
part of the team to expand the furniture side of HomeScapes business. That’s great and we’re so pleased to have
been asked to work with Thompson Lange, the owner of the store. HomeScapes reputation in the community is
stellar and our combined reputations will give HomeScapes and Hale-Williams
Interior Design great visibility. It’s
why we decided in October it was a good idea.
Did I mention we are waiting for the lease to be signed? I’m surprised at how difficult the process
has become considering there aren’t that many businesses running around trying
to lease 12,000 square feet of retail space in Carmel.
Heck, anywhere for that matter. I
understand the idea of caution in this economic climate but come on. Ease of implementation would take a lot of
the fear and trepidation away from the process and make the entry into the new
space far easier. I guess it isn’t going
to happen. So, did I mention we’re still
waiting for the lease to be signed?
Our business has been so
quiet for so long I know I sound as if I have become impatient with the
process. OK, I have. We met today with Thompson, the owner, and
discussed how quickly we expect things to proceed if he does indeed sign the
lease on February 1. The plan is to get into
the space after build-out by the end of May.
A very tight schedule but one I believe we will be able to meet. A lot of the pre-design for the space has
already been completed and our job would be to define, select and order floor
samples for arrival in May. We have
already started talking to reps about product both new and currently carried by
our firm and looking at expanded offerings from the products HomeScapes already
carries. Everyone, of course, wants us
to spend thousands on floor samples with minimum requirements. We’ve already worked out a deal with two vendors
to let us floor samples at no cost until we begin to sell. That will give us six months to make the
sales and start special orders for a consistent cash flow. I’ve just got to get talking to a few more
vendors. I know I can make it happen I
just wish things would move along a little faster. By the say, did I mention we’re still waiting
for the lease to be signed?
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