New blog site

Since day one Chris has been giving me a hard time because I misspelled the blog address (no smart ass comments Richard!) .  So, we created a new and improved blog...go to: www.98BottlesSD.blogspot.com

Consultants

So, last week was all about getting the right people working for us to start this process.  We now have a general contractor, a kitchen consultant and a government advocate to help us through the maze of the CUP and ABC license application process.  At least we were well versed in the process, thanks to Chris' very thorough research and having met with several kitchen consultants, restaurant consultants, architects, designer, ABC license attorneys and many others over the years.  Here's what I have to say about consultants.  You have to try to find people who think like you do.  We are determined to work with people who think positively, respond promptly and who see the intrinsic value in getting the job done as expediently and inexpensively as possible.    We're also determined  NOT to work with those who don't listen, just want to throw money at the problem or are negative nay sayers.  You would be amazed at how many folks out there fall into one or more of those categories. The negative Nancys surprise me the most.  To them I want to say we KNOW what we are trying to do is challenging, we KNOW it takes approval from many levels of government, we KNOW it takes way too long to get the necessary approvals, we KNOW many in the restaurant business fail, we KNOW it won't be easy.  But, the bottom line is WE ARE DOING THIS so somehow we will just figure it all out.

Day 4 (Photos)

Here are some photos of the space that Chris took with his iphone.  Let us know what you think by writing a comment below.

Front of building

Looking to the back from front door

Upper level

Along upper railing

Day 3 ( a day late)

Too tired last night to write anything.  It was a 13 hour day, but very interesting and informative.  Suffice it to say that opening a small business where food and wine are concerned is not for the faint of heart.  But, we have had many months to do tons of research so there are no real surprises.  The goal is to get the CUP (conditional use permit) and ABC wine and beer license applications in by next week.  I think we'll make it.  Stay tuned.

Day 2 - Got the keys!

Now it's REALLY official.  Today we got the keys and the signed copy of the lease and away we go.  Went to the space and got to see it empty for the first time (there was a temporary tenant there before). It's GORGEOUS!  More later.  And yes Richard...there will be cake!

Day 1 (really day 2,555)

Today we finally began what I can only assume will be, the long and arduous (but hopefully tons of fun and full of learning experiences) process of opening a boutique beer and wine bar, retail store and entertainment venue in San Diego. So I guess you could say it's day 1, but by any other calculation, it's at least day 2, 555 because it was in 2004 or 2005 that this process really began. For 15 years we ran The Theatre in Old Town, a for-profit theatre producing long running commercial hits.  We were the home of many great musicals and comedies including "I Love You, You're Perfect Now Change," "The Male Intellect," "Shear Madness," "BEEHIVE," and our amazing five year run of "Forever Plaid."  It was a great time, we produced lots of fun shows, our audiences had a blast and we were really quite successful.  But in 2006 when California State Parks decided to put the theatre out to bid requiring a lot of capitalization, a lot more rent and historically accurate interpretive programming, we decided to pass.  It was time to move on.  For a couple of years we worked on developing a new theatre in North County but several locations fell through (THANK GOD) because when the crash of 2009 rolled around we were kissing the ground and thanking our lucky stars that we were no longer in the theatre business.  So over the past two years or so we have refined our plan and began looking for a space to run a boutique craft beer and wine bar with light food service and intimate entertainment.  Since we live in Encinitas, we were still convinced we wanted to be in North County.  And when I tell you we looked, I mean there are dozens of businesses open now in the locations we considered.  But, none were the right fit.  Finally our realtor told us about a space in Northern Little Italy on Kettner Blvd.  It was love at first sight.  So last Thursday we signed a lease and today we signed an agreement with our general contractor, and away we go!  We have done our homework and researched (ad naseum) all of the permits, fees, application processes and other hoops we will have to jump through, and still we have decided to move forward.  You would be amazed, if not shocked, at how hard it is to open a small business, particularly when there is beer and wine involved.  But, my partners and I (my husband Steve and good friend Chris) feel like we are up to the challenge.  So here we go, we've made the commitment, we're taking the chance and making the leap...keep your fingers crossed.  We will keep you posted.