Summer of 98, my lease in the Roosevelt Mall was coming to an end and it was time to go. Seventy five hour weeks would become a happily welcomed bygone. After what I had lived through since May of 96, it was time to slow down. Business after ten years had been going well and my customer base was growing exponentially. So here we go! I could probably throw a baseball across Bustleton avenue and hit my new store. The store was attached to a Pep Boys Automotive center and was formally an ice cream store called Hillary’s. The store was empty for a few years but had great visibility, parking and traffic in the small strip center. I would have to be ready to move in by November 15th to capitalize on the Holiday season and provide a seamless flow of business without interruption.
We had an blank slate/palate to start with and this made things easy. I always built my own stores with the help of various contractors who were friends of mine. I used to do tenant fit-ups for many retail chains for years, another of my many talents/businesses, so it was easy and cost efficient. Working day and night between stores, we built quickly and with just a shut down for a few days opened right on time. The biggest issue always was moving the safe. So Heavy!
I was able to now reduce the unnecessary business hours we had at the mall and generate the same amount of business. This was sweet! We had a great holiday season as well as our first TV commercial that aired locally on Monday Night Football throughout the holidays! So cool! I was in it as well as two friends and employees. We added billboards all over and promoted, promoted, promoted! The Northeast Times and the Carrier Pigeon were crucial print avenues too! Who needed an “Internet”! Those were the days.
We entered into 1999 with a full head of steam, a new store, more free time to spend with my family and a new lease on life. Life was good. My January visit to HUH went well and I didnt have to see Dr.Dave again until June for my next sixth month check up. “Relax” and “Breathe”were my new words to live by…according to Dr. Dave. “Ok Then”.
Next up: It Was Such a Beautiful Day