I survived the first day (that's me and Lolly at the cashwrap)! Against all odds and fighting logistical nightmares that would make a superhero cry, Commuknity made its public debut today and I have to say it was an unqualified success. So many people came in from the neighborhood, having read about us on the front page of the Rose Garden Resident, from Blogland, from word of mouth. I was stunned. The number of people who told me that they read this little ol' blog floored me. Thank you all of you who introduced yourselves. I wanted to have more time to talk with you, so please, please come back again once things are humming along on momentum and don't need constant guidance. Even tied to the counter for most of the day I got to play with babies, squeeze lots of friends, old and new, and jeepers creepers we sold lots of yarn. We nearly doubled my goal for the day and I nearly fell over when I totalled the receipts. Maybe that was just fatigue though. I'm operating on less than 8 hours of sleep in the past couple of days.
It was not without its glitches. The computer system isn't working, so we had to go analog. We still need to hire a few good salespeople (seriously, if you love yarn, are a proficient knitter and know your stuff we'd love to talk to you!). The past few days have been very stressful and I've had very little sleep - which will be remedied tonight - but I can honestly say that I am loving every minute of this process. Even when on Thursday morning the IT guy called to say his other installation was running overtime, he'd be in by noon. Even when despite his assurances that he would be there, by 11:30 pm when I finally locked the door and went home he had not been seen or heard from. Even when Friday morning he called and said he was on his way, but then something happened regarding a CHP and an outstanding warrant for a U-Haul truck rental gone awry and he arrived about 7pm Friday night. Even at 12 hours to the opening of the doors when the database wasn't working, the accounting system wasn't working, no barcodes, no Point of Sale, no credit card service. Even when we'd been rendered helpless by lack of technology.
We bought a price tagging gun, a couple of adding machines, receipt books and found a temporary solution to our credit card issue. We found a new IT guy who will take over on Monday and I was there at 6:15 this morning pricing needles. We weren't ready the way we wanted to be, but we found a way to do it!
The store is simply gorgeous. Tom, Gail, Kevin, Lolly, Rebecca, Lauren, Sharlene, Janine, Joy, Emily, Nancy, Sheetal, Jewel, Al, Mark, Trina, Jamie and Mike, Maria and Mark, Steve and lots of other folks (I hope I haven't forgotten too many names) have made my life so much easier by lending their hands and their hearts to make Commuknity thrive. This is the entrance to the store and I love that the first sound you hear upon entering is the soft music of water cascading down the fountain.
This is the view looking into the store from the foyer. A couple friends of Gail's son John work for Trader Joe's, creating their in-store displays. Gail and I had an idea about painting some words on the walls in the foyer and voila! Our whole goal was to create a transitional space between the bustle of the street and the warm, welcoming interior of the store.
The yarn room hasn't changed a whole lot since last week, but we've filled it in a bit more and squished more yarn into the shelves. I had so much fun playing with all the colors and creating my own rainbow wall of yarn. I was afraid I'd get all agitated when people touched it, but I was just so thrilled to see all of it going to good homes and I know that people will bring it back to visit in the guise of their WIPs and FOs.
This is the other side of the yarn room where we have another rainbow of Cascade, sock yarn and other yummy wooliness. I just want to go roll around in all of it.
The Rowan Cashsoft 4 Ply and DK get their own home in one of these gorgeous armoires. I think it's my new favorite yarn. I can't stop touching it. Sorry, Cashmerino Aran. This stuff is softer and judging by the swatch Lolly started today, it's going to hold up better. I see much of this in my future.
Oh and I just have to point out the Jordana Paige bags. I've been carrying one around for the past month and I'm just in love with it. And she's local, part of the SJSU Stitch n Bitch group. I'm hoping she'll drop by the store to say hello soon and I can thank her in person for her thoughtful features and well-designed bags!
Remember the Wall of Manos? Manos has taken over the better part of this room. It's on the wall, on the table, under the table, in front of the table. The glut of Manos is good. Even just to smell it. Normally the vinegar scent kinda grosses me out, but wool and vinegar? That's some kind of heaven! There's a Manos sweater in Kevin's future too, oh, yes there is!
The library is coming along. We have some books in, but most of them are in transit. Poor James is going to have to haul them all in on Monday, poor guy. There's good stuff in there too, most importantly, At Knit's End, which I've been reading thanks to Nancy, who brought me a copy the other day as a gift. I've laughed, I've cried, I've planned to stalk the Harlot at MS$W. I'll even admit to reading in the car, waiting for stoplights to change and while pushing the grocery cart at Safeway. It's addictive. Read at your own risk. Seriously.
Finally, here's the point of the whole place, the living room. It was well tested last week when my dear friends converged to give it a spin, but today we really saw the magic of this space work on our community. People sat and knit, they drank tea, they munched on cookies, guys hung out and waited for their wives while reading the paper, babies were bounced upon knees and kids climbed about the cushions. Everyone was friendly, everyone was relaxed (the twitch above my left eye doesn't count) and it was loved.
As the last customer left the store and I totalled the day's receipts a wave of gratitude washed over me. This is what I have wrought, with Gail's vision, Tom's perseverance and my own hard work and a little help from our friends. We have made the dream into a reality and it's more spectacular than we ever imagined. I cried a little bit then, happy tears, filled with the knowledge that destiny has been fulfilled.
I just heard about your store and I'm thrilled. I live in WG, only a little over a mile away -- perfect walking distance. I haven't been in to see you yet, but I'm looking forward to it. I learned to knit from my Mom when I was a child, and have only picked it up more seriously in the last two years. How wonderful to finally have a beautiful store so close by. Thanks!
Nancy
Posted by: Nancy in Willow Glen | June 30, 2005 at 01:14 PM
Congrats on your store. It is beautiful! If I ever visit your city, I must visit. Have fun.
Posted by: Judy | May 11, 2005 at 01:46 PM
Congratulations! It looks amazing. I'm wishing I still lived in Monterey where you'd be less than an hour away.
I loved the armoires the yarn are in... when you get a chance (and things are less crazy) if you could e-mail me where you bought them I'd appreciate it! Thanks.
Posted by: Sarah W. | May 09, 2005 at 06:25 AM
The store looks AMAZING! I wish there was something this cool in PA near me :(
Posted by: Jill | May 06, 2005 at 08:14 AM
WOW! There are no words! You have created the Dream knitting shop!
If only I could get there!!
Posted by: Denise | May 05, 2005 at 07:39 AM
It's absolutely gorgeous! Congratulations on a great and successful opening. Would love to come and visit someday (the living room is lovely).
Posted by: Vicki | May 03, 2005 at 02:48 PM
your shop is absolutely charming...if i'm EVER in the area, I'm coming to see you girl:D
Posted by: nik | May 03, 2005 at 02:23 PM
It looks like a salon! Mazel tov on the realization of your dream!
Posted by: Leslie | May 03, 2005 at 07:31 AM
Wow! Your store looks fabulous. Congratulations!
Posted by: eyeleen | May 02, 2005 at 10:11 PM
Wow! Congrats, Nathania! What a wonderful store. :)
Posted by: Liz | May 02, 2005 at 08:52 PM
Congratulations, beautiful. I'm so happy and excited and proud for you. :-)
Posted by: Andrew | May 02, 2005 at 06:08 PM
the shop is gorgeous! Congrats on a successful opening. I wish I could come over and hang out!
Posted by: carrie | May 02, 2005 at 07:41 AM
Congratulations on a successful opening! It's a gorgeous store. Your local knitters are very lucky.
Posted by: Ann | May 02, 2005 at 06:37 AM
Many, many congratulations. The store looks fabulous and I'm sure you'll enjoy it as it fills with knitting life. Hope you're looking forward to your well deserved break at MDS&W!
Posted by: Anmiryam | May 02, 2005 at 06:16 AM
I'm so glad everything is going so well! I can't wait to come visit -- I had company this weekend but I hope to get down there this week! It looks magnificent, and it sounds like you've done everything just right. Congratulations.
Posted by: J Strizzy | May 01, 2005 at 11:07 PM
N, All I can say, is "you go girl!".
-Kevin
Posted by: Kevin | May 01, 2005 at 07:55 PM
Wow! Your place is spectacular. I'm so impressed. The sofas look so inviting. Whoever took the photos did a magnificant job. It's so welcoming. So inviting that I want to come take a trip.
Posted by: lynette | May 01, 2005 at 11:48 AM
Nathania, I am so happy to hear about all of these wonderful developments. Everything came together so fast, and it was so fun to watch! You, and the others, worked SO hard. You are now being rewarded for it! I plan to come to the store when I'm in CA--I just can't wait!
The other Lolly sent me some info on your trip over here to MD--it will be wonderful to finally meet you. I am so looking forward to it. :)
Posted by: Lolly | May 01, 2005 at 11:09 AM
Wow, this really looks like an amazing store - a place that I would be thrilled to call my LYS! Best of luck with it and I hope you get to take a few minutes for a breather sometime soon (S&W perhaps?). It must feel great to see all your hard work come to fruition.
Posted by: Jenna | May 01, 2005 at 11:05 AM
The shop looks amazing! I will have to go when I visit my friend in CA! Best of luck with everything!
Posted by: kate | May 01, 2005 at 10:00 AM
I have been silently following the development of your store and only tonight realized that it is a mere 5 minutes from my apartment!!! I can't wait to check it out; everything looks lovely and so inviting! Congrats!
Posted by: dELIA | April 30, 2005 at 11:53 PM
Congrats, Nathania! What a great job you've done! If I wasn't an ocean away I'd come see it!!
Posted by: Jean | April 30, 2005 at 07:16 PM
I was there in spirit...can't wait to hug you in person!
xoxoxo
Posted by: greta | April 30, 2005 at 06:21 PM
Absolutely gorgeous, Nathania. I've never seen a more beautiful LYS. And I'm sure it will be even better in person. Hope to visit very soon.
Posted by: Irene in Modesto | April 30, 2005 at 05:38 PM
WOW what a store! Congratulations on a wonderful acheivement - can't wait till I'm in CA again!
Posted by: melissa | April 30, 2005 at 04:03 PM
It looks wonderful! I'm glad your first day went so well. The store looks huge and welcoming and just really great . . . I wish I were 3,000 miles closer!!
Posted by: Deb | April 30, 2005 at 03:33 PM
Wow. Oh wow. I so wish I could be there for opening weekend. With all of the technical glitches, you will never, ever forget your opening day. Here's a big virtual hug for you, Gail, and Tom. {HUGS}
Posted by: Nancy | April 30, 2005 at 02:05 PM
Oh, how exciting. I'm so happy for you!
Posted by: Susan | April 30, 2005 at 12:31 PM
Congratulations! I love the pictures of the store. I have to stop by soon to see for myself!
Posted by: Evelyn | April 30, 2005 at 10:48 AM
Congratulations on a successful first day - that is an absolutely gorgeous store. I'll be down soon to check it out.
Posted by: Terry | April 30, 2005 at 10:31 AM
It was great to meet you finally. All the hard work showed and it was great to follow you on this journey through your blog. I can't wait to spend some time knitting on those couches. I felt vary disoriented and overwhelmed by the beauty of the store, that I didn't even sit down and knit once (even though I had a pair of socks in my bag the whole time!). Take care and hope to see you again soon!
Posted by: CJ | April 30, 2005 at 08:08 AM
Nathania, this looks like such a lovely store. I'll look forward to visiting it next time I'm in CA.
See you soon!
Posted by: claudia | April 30, 2005 at 07:57 AM
Congratulations! It looks amazing in the photos.
Posted by: cari | April 30, 2005 at 07:49 AM
I wanted to drop by your blog and let you know how much I loved your store! I went over there during my lunch break and bought some yarn :). Absolutely beautiful space! I will probably come back next week with a couple of friends in tow.
Posted by: Moni | April 30, 2005 at 07:17 AM
Perfect, perfect, perfect! You do good work, girl. Congratulations and a big hug.
Posted by: Norma | April 30, 2005 at 06:45 AM
Nathania, that store is absolutely gorgeous. I just wish you weren't so far away! Well done!
Posted by: Holly | April 30, 2005 at 06:34 AM
The store looks magnificent - really. You should be extremely proud. It's gorgeous. I'd be begging to hand over my money in a store like that. Very well done. I hope to meet you at MDSW and congratulate you in person!
Posted by: Cara | April 30, 2005 at 06:29 AM
Oh if only! You did a fabulous job, an inspired job. You deserve a big pat on the back and a good rest. I WILL come to visit someday when I have saved enough money to buy a bunch of yarn! ;-)
Posted by: margene | April 30, 2005 at 06:16 AM
It's absolutely BEAUTIFUL Nathania!! Congratulations!
Posted by: kirstie | April 30, 2005 at 04:59 AM
When you are animated by an idea, anything can become reality. You have come home.
Posted by: Pubah | April 30, 2005 at 04:52 AM
The shop is goregous Nathania! Well done! Despite the odds.
Posted by: Kathleen | April 30, 2005 at 04:41 AM
So PROUD of you!
Posted by: Rachael | April 30, 2005 at 04:24 AM
I am so happy for you! That living room makes me feel peaceful and happy just looking at it. I may have to make it my computer's wallpaper.
Posted by: Lauren | April 29, 2005 at 10:55 PM
Can't wait to get in and see the store. I've been reading your blog for a while, and ever since you announced your new venture, I've been saving my pennies! (Maybe tomorrow is the day....)
Glad to know that you're happy, if exhausted. Get some good sleep - in fact, that's where I should be now, too!
-K
Posted by: Kathy in San Jose | April 29, 2005 at 10:45 PM