THE STORE!!!

[SandyG]

Given the weather, please check this bb for a posting either tonight (Saturday) or tomorrow (Sunday) morning. I will post if the roads here are good enough to head in and get some work done or if the roads are not so good, in which case we will all nestle down in our homes and wait it out.

If the roads are good, I am planning on working at THE STORE from 10am until 1pm on Sunday, February 10th.

Then on Sunday, February 17th, I am inviting those that will be participating in this adventure to meet me for pizza and some discussion of the concept - the how's, the when's, the why's. Then we'll walk over to THE STORE and you can check out the place for yourself.

Of course, you know I will ask for your help while you are there, now don't you?

[SandyG]

Here's the plan for me:

The weatherman says that the stuff is working into Western WI this morning - ice, rain, snow. You name it, it's coming!

Now I only live 11 miles from THE STORE and I drive a big truck. So I'm going to blanket them for rain and head in for a while - keeping an eye on the weather at all times. When it gets icky, I'm heading home regardless of what the clock says.

So, whether you drive to THE STORE Is your call but I'll be there by 10am and will leave when the weather tells me to do so or when 1pm rolls around, whichever comes first.

If you are heading in, THE STORE is directly across the street from the Menomonie Post Office on Highway12/29. It is next door and sandwiched between Town & Country Antiques and the Zanzibar restaurant. I will have the door locked so either call the cell or hammer on the door.

Thanks, Guys! Be safe today!

[SandyG]

Made significant progress:

* Cleaned and created a storage space and filled it with the Gala items that have been stored in one of Tracy's bedroooms (which is now practically empty!!!)

* Cleaned and created a storage space for holiday items we will display/sell in the fall season and put all holiday items moved over there so far in that space

* Cleaned and created a storage space for the random items in boxes that we unloaded last Friday night - we have a good pile of items to sort, clean, mark, and sell already over there!

* Placed all of the furniture in one area so it is visible, ready to be cleaned, marked and put out on the floor for sale

* Cleaned and vac'd the entry area and also picked up loose ceiling tiles that had been placed against the walls, bad tube lights from the ceiling, random pieces of lumber and tin. Made numerous trips to the basement to get those items off our sales floor.

* Assembled and got the stereo running so there is music in the store while we work!! Yes!

Now, the next trip, we need to vac the floor and measure it out. Mark where the corral panels will go and get them set up. Create the kitchen area and get the frig cleaned and plugged in and the microwave tested, cleaned, and ready to use. Put up 2 corral panels in the front window and hang the big Refuge Farms banner on them. And mark the spaces for the dealer booths plus position the desk and sales counter area. When these items are done, it will be time to setup the floor - which is the fun part!!

Next Sunday, on our way to pizza, can all of us stop at Tracy's (or detout to Tracy's) and fill our vehicles full of stuff from her basement? Then, after pizza, we will tour THE STORE and then get our vehicles emptied and the items stored in the desginated spaces. Sound like a plan? I'll email/post more about next Sunday's Pizza Bash later in the week - just hold the afternoon open! ;D

Even with just the work done today, it is already taking shape. How exciting! And to know we are doing this instead of selling Younker's coupon books which is going on right now!!! ;D

[SandyG]

Another session of accomplishments!

The excess ceiling tiles are in the basement - HURRAY! And then a few more trips and the lumber, hardware, tin, "FOR RENT" sign, and even a ladder made their way downstairs, too. Oh yeah, a pile of 4' light bulbs are safely stored down there now, too!

And then about 25% of the floor got a good vac. It takes a few passes to get it to the point of not sounding like you are sucking up a gravel pit, but when you're done you can certainly see the difference.

Measurements were taken so now we know how many corral panels to bring for the room divider and the big banner sign.

And, of course, the pickup and trailer were emptied BEFORE the snow appeared.

Thanks to Colleen C., Dick, and Colleen B. for your support! I was so glad to see each of you!!! Thanks to each of you!

[SandyG]

For those of you thinking of becoming involved with THE STORE in any capacity, this invitation is for you!!!

Sunday, February 17th at 1pm we will meet at Jeff & Jim's Pizza in Menomonie. J&J is located just 1 block west (toward THE FARM) from the Menomonie post office which is right across the street from the Town & Country Antique store.

We'll have some pizza and talk about what this "store thing" is all about. What will we sell? When will we open? What needs to be done before we open? What about help needed while we are open? And any other questions you will have will be answered to the best of my ability.

THEN!!!!

We'll walk across the street and tour THE STORE. And for those of you that are brave, we'll even venture into the basement!

Then we'll get a few things done:

* The rest of the floor needs to be vac'd and swept
* Three clothes racks need to be assembled on the floor after their pieces and parts are found in that basement!
* The sales counter pieces (desk, counter, file cabinet, wrapping station) need to be placed in their designated spaces
* Masking tape placed on the floor to mark the 10 booths for rent
* Corral panels up for a room divider

And then the finale: Corral panels up and our big Refuge Farms banner put in the window to advertise our coming arrival!

This sounds like a lot to do but with a few of us we'll get it done in our typical fashion - fast and well!!!

See you on Sunday - 1pm at Jeff & Jim's!!! Thanks, All! This is such an exciting time for THE FARM!!!! You really want to be a part of it, don't you???

PS - I'm inviting the owner of the building that is leasing the space to us to join us for pizza, too. You'll like him - the crotchety ole' man that he is!!!

[SandyG]

A couple of us are working at THE STORE tomorrow (Saturday) if anyone is available. Vac'ing, setting up corral panels, unloaded, and floor planning. That's the big one - floor planning. You are welcome! Be a part of the future of Refuge Farms!!!!

Sunday is still on - pizza and all!!! I'm so looking forward to a sit-down meal with you!

[SandyG]

You guys made H U G E progress today!! H U G E !!!!!

Four vehicles loaded and packed to the ceilings! An enormous difference in Tracy's basement. At one point, Tracy actually mused, "Wow. I can see my floor . . "

We then headed straight to THE STORE and unloaded. After unloading there was vac'ing, organizing, moving stuff, and moving some more stuff! But by the time we left at 3:30, you could actually see a store coming around!!

Tracy O. was a trooper and was so patient with her doors open to the cold air. Bridget M. was a magician getting 10 lbs in a 5 lb car!!! Colleen B. worked and was the voice of reason. Still! And Sarah and Kielly L. joined us at THE STORE and gave us all new energy. Plus Kielly vac'd THE WHOLE FLOOR!!!

Pizza tomorrow people! And a bit more work - corral panels go up and the banner goes in the window! People will know we are comin' to town!!

Jim & Jeff's at 1pm for pizza. See you there!!! ;D

[SandyG]

The fellowship was really fun and exciting - great conversation!

The pizza was actually very good, wasn't it? I'd go there again!

And in 90 minutes we TRANSFORMED that store! What an amazing difference you made! The corral panels are up (very creative and very safe, guys!). The banner is in the front window. The big shelf is moved. The clothes racks are assembled and on the main floor. The dealer booths are measured. The microwave is tested. The refrigerator is leveled. The tables for setup are ready. And another load of boxes made their way to the Red Room.

WOW! In just 90 minutes this crew flew and performed miracles! Many, many, many thanks to Tracy O., Bridget M., Julie A., Nick T., Cory T., Sarah and Kiley (with a "K") L., Colleen B., and Colleen C. with Jo-Jo. A remarkable job today, guys and gals! Remarkable!

[30andholding]

I can't wait to bring our (first) pile of goodies to THE STORE, Sandy! Horsey and non horsey items! Let me know when we should zip over!
Mary & Bill
30 and holding refers to horses...not my age...!!

[SandyG]

Mary -

It never crossed my mind that your name (30andholding) had anything to do with age! Oh, heavens no! That would have to be 29and holding!

I can't wait to have you see the place, Mary! It's a great concept, I believe, and we have an excellent location! Frightening to think it will open in a month but with this crew of people, anything is possible!

Thank you, Mary & Bill! And welcome to the bb's!

[tracy1]

Here's a news release that went out this past week to area media, announcing the opportunity for vendors to have a booth in The Store:

New Menomonie Shop to Offer Vendor Booths

THE STORE, an upscale resale shop, is a new business coming to Menomonie’s downtown, offering a chance for small businesses to rent booth space. Located at 230 Main St., it is across from the Menomonie post office. Eight booths will be available within the space, for persons wishing to display products for sale. A lower rent will be available for those willing to work a day each month in the business.

The volunteers of Refuge Farms Horse Rescue & Sanctuary, located in Spring Valley, will operate the business, which will be open initially from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays, with additional days and hours expected to be added.

THE STORE will mainly offer a mix of gently used items, antiques, upscale clothing, and some new items. Items sold will largely be those donated to Refuge Farms by supporters, though there will be some consignment sales. A grand opening is planned to coincide with the Spring Ladies Night Out on Apr. 11.

Those wishing to rent space for their business should contact Refuge Farms Executive Director Sandra Gilbert at 715.505.5626 or by email at [e-mail]. Booth rentals are on a first-come-first-served basis.

[SandyG]

Thank you, Tracy, for creating and circulating that press release on the booths available at THE STORE. And it's working!

As of today, 2 dealers renting a total of 3 booths!! Wow! ;D

[SandyG]

So after the frantic emails and postings about transporting Liz-Beth, we all know the trailer is loaded with furniture. Hard to sleep without a trailer and with this herd of fragile horses living here . . . .

This Friday, I have some resources available to unload the trailer. It would be during the scheduled THE STORE time of 1pm to 4pm and I'm guessing it would only take us 45 - 60 minutes, max!!

Are there people available to help unload the trailer this Friday afternoon? I will double park on the side street and the sidewalks will be watery with 40 degrees forecasted. We will open both front doors and the furniture goes right in the front of the store. Can't get much simpler than that!

Please confirm if you are available. This is the last push of stuff to move out of Tracy's house - the rest I can manage on my own. Your help would be so greatly appreciated!!!

Friday, March 8th, 1pm at THE STORE - Thank you!!!

[SandyG]

A ton of work done in preparation for the final load of furniture being unloaded tomorrow - - how exciting to see it come together!

The owner was there this afternoon and he lifted some of the ceiling tile to show me the original tin ceiling in that building. MY GOODNESS!!!!! There's a fortune hanging over our heads!!

We also will be picking up a desk from a local business who stopped in and offered the desk if we wanted it. I think that little town will be welcoming to us!

[SandyG]

I believe that tonight, after a full day of work, it is safe to say the "first push of moving items" is completed. What sits in Tracy's basment is 2 pickup loads and only 2 items in that basement require 2 people. Well, maybe 3 items. But those items will wait until spring when we can use the basement door and not have to deal with the stairs up to the garage. Whew!!!

Bridget M. and Tracy O. and Corey T. and Nick T. and Chad W. pulled out all the stops! We unloaded the truck, Bridget's car, Tracy's car, AND the 24' horse trailer!

THEN ! ! !

We went and pulled a good pickup load out of the basement of the antique store included over 20 boxes of books!!! All of those trips were made by the young and not-so-young legs and it is done. Kaput. Complete. Finis. Whew, again!

Thanks to the crew who once again gave up a beautiful afternoon to get us even better situated to open up in 3 weeks (YIKES!).

My fondest memory of the day??? I guess that would be standing and watching as Nick and Corey and Chad took a load of books in their arms and then took the stairs - THREE AT A TIME - up to the street to move them to THE STORE. Wow.....