YES! Almost there!
Since I last wrote I've been through another space and landlord that didn't work out. It was a restaurant where the tenant had been evicted. The place was a mess - the tenant left all their junk, broken glass was on the floor and it was dark and dingy. It was workable but expensive to fix up. Apparently there were two owners and one liked my requested rent rate but the other didn't. There have been days that I wanted to abandon this project, but then I know I would never forgive myself.
My agent then sent me something in an industrial park. Good spot - I'm not paying for store front. It was brand new and close to downtown, across from IKEA in West Sacramento. That worked too. I took a look at the smallest space (1543 sq ft) but it was too small. I looked at the next largest (2413 sq ft) which was too large but the location was great and the lease rate was superb. It was a shell (no walls except the exterior ones) and the landlord was pitching in $30 sq. ft. for me to use to build it out. We are looking good here! We sent in my bid which was not very different than what they wanted and they accepted it! ****! This is further than I've ever gone in the process. They want to see a space plan before signing the lease and they have asked for my credit report, FICO score and business plan. I hate sharing financial data with anyone much less some person I don't know, but it has to be done.
The landlord is paying for my space plan ($5000) so I called the planner today. We have a preliminary plan but now I have to actually choose my ranges, convection ovens, tables, metro shelves etc so we can do the real drawings. I am having a hard time grasping that this really might work!
The space is large but we'll put in walls to make it look smaller. Basically, we'll build a box within the space so I don't have 25 foot ceilings. There are enough windows so I can have one in my office and the kitchens get a long expanse of them. That is really important to me - I hate cooking in a dungeon. I have to put in two bathrooms because that is city code. No unisex bathrooms so it is going to cost me an extra $8000. But in the end, it doesn't matter. I have enough space for everything I want including the classroom.
So, with fingers crossed, I wait out this week to see what happens with the lease. It has been a little tough to convince people to lease to a startup, but my credit score is excellent and it has worked out so far.
Next step is signing the lease. Then, on to construction. I'm actually going to be buying equipment! I'm hopeing to find recommendations on this board for ranges, convection ovens and so on.
More soon....
My agent then sent me something in an industrial park. Good spot - I'm not paying for store front. It was brand new and close to downtown, across from IKEA in West Sacramento. That worked too. I took a look at the smallest space (1543 sq ft) but it was too small. I looked at the next largest (2413 sq ft) which was too large but the location was great and the lease rate was superb. It was a shell (no walls except the exterior ones) and the landlord was pitching in $30 sq. ft. for me to use to build it out. We are looking good here! We sent in my bid which was not very different than what they wanted and they accepted it! ****! This is further than I've ever gone in the process. They want to see a space plan before signing the lease and they have asked for my credit report, FICO score and business plan. I hate sharing financial data with anyone much less some person I don't know, but it has to be done.
The landlord is paying for my space plan ($5000) so I called the planner today. We have a preliminary plan but now I have to actually choose my ranges, convection ovens, tables, metro shelves etc so we can do the real drawings. I am having a hard time grasping that this really might work!
The space is large but we'll put in walls to make it look smaller. Basically, we'll build a box within the space so I don't have 25 foot ceilings. There are enough windows so I can have one in my office and the kitchens get a long expanse of them. That is really important to me - I hate cooking in a dungeon. I have to put in two bathrooms because that is city code. No unisex bathrooms so it is going to cost me an extra $8000. But in the end, it doesn't matter. I have enough space for everything I want including the classroom.
So, with fingers crossed, I wait out this week to see what happens with the lease. It has been a little tough to convince people to lease to a startup, but my credit score is excellent and it has worked out so far.
Next step is signing the lease. Then, on to construction. I'm actually going to be buying equipment! I'm hopeing to find recommendations on this board for ranges, convection ovens and so on.
More soon....
Total Comments 2
Comments
 | I am loving your blog. I am trying accomplish some thing similar (southern Ca) to what you are talking about on your blog. I was wondering how much pre-planning you did prior to pursuing your venture? Did you do a business plan? I have tons of questions and will not put them all in this post. I thank you again for sharing your experience. Mia |
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| |  Can't wait to hear how things are going for you? |
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Recent Blog Entries by scifimom
- YES! Almost there! (06-10-2008)
- Another one bites the dust (04-29-2008)
- Lessons learned so far (04-06-2008)
- Still Looking.. (03-21-2008)
- Looking for another space (03-01-2008)
