The big issue right now - we have a large refrigerator that we are not sure of how to get into its space. This is an older building, and with the exception of the main dining area, the ceilings (which are the floor of the apartments above) are very low. The refrigeration unit which fit through the main back door will not pass through the doorway into the main hall heading back towards the restrooms, which is where it needs to go.
I know this is not sexy stuff, a refrigerator getting stuck on its way to a hallway, but it does make for some dramatic moments for us. What are we going to do? Well, there are double doors in the back of the restaurant as well, but guess what? The opening is about 3/4 of an inch too short. So, I am looking at having to possibly remove the steel framework and the aluminum threshold of the door to get the refrigeration unit in. Not even sure if it is possible to remove the frame though it does not appear to be welded to anything.
We are having a very difficult time with colors. This, I thought would be the easy part. However, we have sourced some chairs at a very good price and we don't have a choice in color. While they are not leopard print or anything garish, we are limited to our color scheme by this. Why don't we just get different chairs? Well, there is the budget to consider and the price is just TOO good.
This weekend, we are planning on trying to paint the alley wall (colors still to be decided) and hopefully finalize interior colors. We will be installing the three part sink. Some near future projects: shorten the bar to allow for easy access to the soda machine, pour a concrete countertop for the bar and replace the blue tile with bamboo and metal, remove the decorative wood/tile from around the structural post (I have plans for that post...will elaborate on this later.) We are also toying with the idea of a water feature.
Another obstacle we are facing is the old Verizon sign. "The old Verizon sign?" you are asking. Yes, it is IN the restaurant. It was the extremely large sign above the Verizon store which is now Wings. It is a large metal frame covered with a vinyl type fabric and sheet metal. It is probably about twenty feet long. Was planning on cutting it up and having someone haul it away for scrap. However, A light bulb went off last night and I have some ideas. Starting a restaurant for us is about more than just serving food and making money. It is about conscientiously being part of the community, both locally and globally. We have plans to work with local organizations to support things like food banks and meal programs. We are interested in taking the approach of sourcing as much as we can locally, affecting the environment as little as possible through reducing, reusing, recycling, repurposing, and through the use of sustainable materials. Thinking about these ideas, I started looking at the old Verizon sign in a different light. As a focal point I have been toying with the idea of turning the eyesore post in the middle of the restaurant into a focal point somehow. I've got the crazy idea right now of making it look like the main mast of a sailboat and putting something resembling a sail on it. The white vinyl of the sign may work for this. The sheet metal, with a brushed affect applied, would be just the thing I need to reface the bar, along with the bamboo. The metal frame, I may just be able to turn it into shelving for dry goods which we are going to need. We will see. None of that may happen, but it's worth looking into, and fits into our overall mission.
Should have more pictures from this weekend, hopefully by next week will have the logo for everyone to look at, as well as some drafts of the menu, so check back again!
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