Quiet Time

Yesterday was super quiet and quite frankly I was bored. I started trying on the jewelry. Then I started taking pictures of myself and posting them on the Monkitree Facebook page. To my surprise, people were paying attention! They started commenting on the jewelry they liked. It kept me entertained. It also reminded me of the value of social media. On a day where I only had a couple of customers come into the store (did I mention it was in the 90's), I had conversations with many through Facebook.

Bo, The Most Popular Dog in Town

I was a little worried about Bo and his ability to be a shop dog. He is famous in downtown Gardiner. Bo enjoys going from shop to shop getting attention (and sometimes treats). He loves people...perhaps a bit too much. I imagined this would be a long process of trial and error. I thought I'd have to leave him upstairs for part of the day and slowly introduce him to the role of shop dog. Well, he is a trooper. On the very first day I left the front door wide open to see what would happen...ready to grab him or at the very least call him back to me (like that ever works). He will walk up to the threshold but not over it. His favorite spot is a shady spot on the back deck. Whenever someone comes in I say, "This is Bo. He is a shop dog in training." I figure there response will tell me whether they like dogs or not plus, if they know he is new to the shop dog gig they may forgive whatever he may do. So far he has been perfect!

OK Crowds...I'm ready for you!

Well maybe not an actual crowd but I could be ready for a steady flow. Computer system with credit cards processing- check. Three sizes of bags for jewelry, cards and larger items- check. Ok, I'm lacking in the boxing department but I could package for people to get things home safely, so I'll call that a - check. I've got a storefont full of gorgeous art, jewelry, pottery, textiles and cards. Now I need to figure out how to get people to walk through the door. It is awfully quiet today. I'm sure the beautiful weather has people out boating, gardening, etc. In fact as soon as I can I am going to grab a beer and head for the back deck. In the mean time, I'll take this opportunity to work on my internet marketing. I am now listed on Yelp and Google (and could use some reviews...good ones of course!). Now to find more...

Today is the Day

After the hoopla of the Artwalk and Gallery Opening, today is the day I get to slow down and tie up loose ends (and begin training Bo to be a shop dog). It is a bit slow here on Water Street today but I have had a few people in. And in between their visits I am updating insurance policies, following up with artists and trying to figure out how to get people to spend time in Downtown Gardiner. I am constantly amazed by people who say they have never been downtown. A woman stopped in this morning who just discovered it. She was pleased to find out that she could do her banking and shop at Reny's here. Hopefully she will share her discovery with a few people.

The next time you see a new post...

the gallery will be open. We open on Friday for the Artwalk then have our Opening Reception on Saturday evening. Michael arrived today and we have loaded the artwork into the space. We will start hanging the show tomorrow (after the electrician comes). As luck would have it, the special Gardiner supplement to the Kennebec Journal came out today and we were all over it. I was on the cover walking Bo down the street (it is hard to get a picture of the street without me and Bo). I was in an article entitled "City Abuzz with Activity" and another entitled "The arts are alive in Gardiner" where they talked about the gallery and the opening show. They used a photo of the poster Michael created of Edwin Arlington Robinson. I am expecting a great turnout for the opening. Now back to work.

Realizing a Dream

I spoke with my friend Val the other day. Val and I went to high school together in NJ. Now she is in Nashville and I'm here in Maine so we catch up by phone. I was updating her on the progress and the upcoming opening. She said, "You are realizing your dream. We started talking about this...what, three years ago?" That is an amazing thing. Three years ago I was in Washington, D.C. with Peter, dreaming about a new life. We found Gardiner, Maine while searching for commercial buildings and now it is our home and after two years of living here we are starting our business. I'm excited to share what we have accomplished with friends, neighbors and family at the opening on the 15th. I'm glad so many people who have helped us get this far will be able to attend. I have had a number of people reach out to me since learning of our new venture and I am certain I'm about to meet many new friends.

You Are Invited!

Well, it must be happening because I have invited people to come. I still have plenty to do but I'm confident that it will all happen. The touch screen is in the mail, the lights are working. In the morning we are bringing the metal desk to an auto painting shop to have it painted with metal flake car paint. I am so excited about that. I will have the coolest desk in town. I have no chair but I guess I'll get around to that...after I finish painting, hang the gallery track and finish the floors. Yikes! What am I doing sitting here? Time to get back to work.