Gathering Pace.

After the interruption of all the snow, things are really starting to move.

We feared that delays with the Yas bakery moving out due to code compliance issues in the new place would put a big dent in our time lines. Fortunately not, Beyrouz passed on all his code issues and moved to the new premises on Monday. So we are all systems go now.

Meanwhile, another of the refrigerators arrived, after snow delays. This ones the pasty fridge, a Carter-Hoffmann tray line special fitted for the baking pans that will be used in the ovens. I'm happy to get this one, all the way from Naples Florida. Just a bit delayed by the snow.

For the shop front point of sale we now have an IMac G5 that will run the point of sale and business planning software. Oh yeah and look wickedly cool.

After my last post I took some flack from the boys at HSBC in Alexandria who have been tremendously supportive in the banking arena. So, a big thumbs up for Tucker Snyder and his colleagues.

This week its on to the ovens and getting the cart sorted out.

Snowpocalypse 2010.

Well snowpocalypse 2010 hit North Virginia, but the preparation goes on despite 2-3 feet of the white stuff.

A number of significant events happened during the week, so here's the update.

Firstly, I met up with the architect (Paul) and contractor (Jose) at the site to finalize the plans and drawings. Paul had walked through the premises with technicians for plumbing, electric etc and we need to dot the I's and cross the T's on their feedback. The plumbing was good because we had decided to move a hand sink and this made life a lot simpler, and we could utilize a lot of existing infrastructure. We had the quotes on the lighting and that really does effect the image of the place, especially with an open kitchen.

Secondly, Scott the real estate agent who has been with me from day 1 put me in contact with a marketing expert. We met and it sounds like we're off on an excellent level of understanding. We have lots of material to work with and she has lots of avenues to channel it down. So as the build out under goes construction. We will be really busy on the promotion front.

Thirdly, I really needed to decide which way to go on the Point Of Sale system. A cigar box for the cash, a second hand electronic Sharp till, a PC running QuickBooks, or a Mac running Checkout.

I went to the Apple Store and discussed the hard and software options, and the dude at the Genius desk knew all there was to know about pasties. Even down to the logic behind the crust and it worked being a miners lunch!

It has to be the Mac, I trust them so much more than PCs and QuickBooks seems a bit over engineered for what I want. Plus it's so much cooler than any of the other options.

So know I've bought a second hand G5 (intel chip) on Ebay from some guy out in LA, and that will be point of sale in the shop.

Fourthly, I've set-up The Pure Pasty on Facebook to start the social networking of the brand and the product. I gave one of my work colleagues (Hope) a lift home on Friday when the blizzard started, and she has started spreading the word to all her really cool friends. Not only is she a fantastic cook, but she's a little marketing gem. So the ball is rolling on that front. So folks, please get as many of friends as possible to start following my Blog and FB.

THE BALL IS ROLLING.

Finally tonight is the Superbowl and I will be partying with the neighbors while watching the event. I've decided to run a batch of pasties, take them with me and test them out on an unsuspecting public.

All this and Cheesetique was a mad house on Thursday and Friday, as the residents of Alexandria started panic buying cheese!

Right lets mix it up.

That's one big mixer.

Yesterday was a long day. Up very early in the morning to pick up the biggest truck I've driven so far, on the wrong side of the road, with lots of snow and ice still around from the weekends storm. So at 07:30 I set off for Richmond with the ever faithful dog (Mei Mei) for company in passenger in a very large yellow Penske truck. It had to be big because I was picking up the mixer, an 80 QT hobart, it weighs about 900lb so I needed a truck with a lift gate. 2 hours later we're in Richmond at the dealers depot, and the loading bay approach is still covered in snow. That costs me time because its also slightly up hill, so the truck won't reverse up it until we clear it with a shovel. Eventually we man handle it in and we're off to the next stop. I'd won an auction on a double glass door refrigerator and was picking that up. Snow again this time, but no slope, so we're ok. The guy thought we were coming tomorrow, so there's another delay. However, soon we are loaded and off back home again, 2 hours up route 95.

I was scheduled for a managers meeting at work for 14:00 and just made it.

Then after Pat and I went on the storage unit to unload. Pat works in the kitchen and is one cool dude and just the guy you want when handling 900lb mixers. He used used to do power lifting and strong man competitions. Not only that but the dude snowboards and golfs, so there's plenty to chat about while stuck in traffic on Route 66 yet again.

Eventually its all safely in the storage unit, and I owe Pat beers big time.

Tick those items off the list and start hunting the next ones.