Okay, about the perfect place. Turns out it wasn't so perfect after all. In fact, it turns out that there's a lot more to a perfect place then we thought. So, on to potential location #3!

This place is only 2 blocks away from the last place so the location is still really great. And, knock on wood, we are finding this vender and realtor much easier to deal with, meaning that they don't give us the feeling that they are trying to pull a fast one or hide really big issues with the business which would come back to bite us down the road.

So this is where we are. Our realtor, (and by the way if anyone needs a really amazing realtor for either commercial or residential this is the guy) is putting together an offer which we are going to sign and send over tonight. Once the offer is accepted by the other side we will be further ahead then we were with the last place so here's hoping!

If all goes well we are still hoping for an opening sometime in January. Wow, I can't wait to get business cards printed with an address on them!

Will update as soon as I know something more. You all enjoying this roller coaster? I know I am. Where's the wine......

Okay, here we go! We have our eye on a new place. It's sparkly, central and well, pretty perfect! And it's not an empty space that needs renovating. We're trying to buy a business. This place is so fantastic that we don't need to do much more than hang our sign and open. It has all of the things that are important to us; Bathrooms on the main floor, lots of room for strollers both inside and out (we'll have free locks for people to use), plenty of storage space and room to host workshops for moms and kids, and um, a license for, um, well, imbibing.    :-)

We are in stage one right now which is that we actually signed an offer! Our realtor came over last night and explained the language in the offer line by line while our kids destroyed my living room and generally had a good time with my in-laws. As I understand it, the offer will go to the other party and if they sign the offer, we are officially in a lease negotiation. That would mean that they couldn't entertain any other offers until our time period expires, which is the end of November. After both parties have signed the offer it goes to both our lawyers and they proceed to make everything run smoothly and fill our lives with rose petals and puppies, 'cause, you know, that's their job.

If all goes according to plan, we could be in possession on or before December 15th! New Year opening baby!

Send us good vibes everybody - this feels like our place!

You know what happens when you wait for definitive news before updating a blog? You never end up updating the blog. Sorry about that. I hereby resolve to update this blog at least once a week regardless of what is in the works or on hold. There, I put it out there - in bold even.

So, money first. We've got lots of it! Of 5 loans, we have 2 in the bank, and the paperwork in process on 2 more. The last one is a few weeks away and we have no reason to believe that there will be any problems with it. It's kinda scary owing all this money, but hey, that's the game, right?

Childcare next. Mine is in daycare and Davina's plan for hers will start up the day we take possession of a space. Which means that she is continuing trying to work around the kids and I am loosing my mind trying to work with not that much to do. I know I should go to a movie or something, but I just haven't been able to rid myself of the guilt of actually having 'Me Time'. Such is the plight of a Jewish mother.

Location next. We've suffered a bit of a setback in that department. The space we were negotiating for isn't going to happen. So we are now chomping at the bit to find a location. We are prepared to buy a turn-key business and convert it or a retail space that we have to renovate. Either way is good, we just want to get going already. We spend a lot of time worrying if a place we check out is too far east by a block, or west by a block. I think we just need to realize that When We Open They Will Come. Please tell me that's true.

We've also recently discovered Meet-Up groups. Particularly Mamas and Papas of Trinity Bellwoods Park, who seem to meet ALL THE TIME in coffee shops in the area. We were absolutely made for them - but we're not open yet. I keep getting e-mails about theirmeet-ups and it's killing me, just killing me slowly I say.

Anyway, that's all I've got for now. As usual, any feedback/suggestions/acknowledgements that there's people out there reading this are very good for my self esteem.