So we broke down and bought 2 infrared heater at the store – just to see if it would help with the oil bill since oil has gone up again. But after using it for a few days now – it doesn’t seems to work as good as we would like it too. The store is still pretty cold after turning it on for a few hours – and it’s still running to bring the temperature up in the store. But having said that we have quite a long store – so that might be why it’s not heating up as well. Perhaps, it’s only me – we shall see – in a few more days.
It’s that time of the year again – our oil man just came with his big tanker and industrial rubber hose to fill up our oil tank – before the cold hits us bad. I like to be prepared because we’ve had a number of very cold days already, in fact this year to save cost on heat bill – we are planning to get 2 infrared portable heater for the store. We’ve heard good thing about the heater and even though we love our oil man with his rubber hose – we love our money more. Plus, who doesn’t love some savings right in this economy – and no ferry coming our way next year. But the kid loves to watch our oil man fill up the oil tank because he explains to her all about how everything works – from the hose he is using till how his tank works.
While we won’t have the ferry back next year in town – another store has opened in town and their US office had just called today to ask if we would like to do some work for them. Now that’s really good news because we had wanted to do something like that with the other existing company in town – but they had been such slackers and never took our offer.
I’m just glad that we had the foresight to do anything that will make money in this town – had we stuck ourselves to do only one thing – we wouldn’t have survived for 12 years. I’m happy that we are beginning to see a lot of new customers coming in and realizing that we do so many things. But like usual – people still feel that we should be able to match the big chain store and even when we explained to them – they still go to the big chain stores for certain stuff. But I cannot complain much – despite all the things that is happening in this town – we are still holding up pretty well.
We have many talented people in this town – and one of them is Kelly and her daughter – a customer of our store and a very good looking one too. She sings very well and plays several instrument – I loved her voice a lot – so when someone asked if we have any talent in Yarmouth, I think of Kelly all the time. And if I were Kelly, I would put out a CD and get someone to do her cd duplication service and start selling her cds. We’ve been asked many a times if we would do the cd duplication for our local talent here – but we don’t have the time nor the equipment to do it – but with a voice like Kelly’s, it would really be a pity if she didn’t put her voice on a cd and start to get some recognition for them. You check out the music yourself and let me know what you think.
Yes! the xmas parade was this evening and for the first time being in Canada – the weather was great – not too cold nor too warm – just nice for a Christmas parade. The boss came out to watch the parade with us till customers starting going into the store. Unfortunately, the parade is still nothing like the ones we have at home – but at least I get to see them first hand and not on tv eh. So I count my blessings – you can`t have it all.
So Frost Park is lighted up tonight officially. The town has spent quite a huge sum of money on the lights and the work for it – so enjoy it – the tax payer of the town! it looked really nice – I`m glad they did that – and lets hope they continue to do this for Christmas every year.
About a week ago, a business associate from 2 doors away – invited us for a presentation – by our landlord – for a big announcement with regards to the revitalization of the town. The business associate asked us to be present if possible to show our support for the landlord but little did we know that the landlord`s agenda wasn`t exactly what we thought he was going to present. In fact, it had little to do with doing good for the small business owners but for one particular group. I was very pissed to hear what he had to say – when he announced that this was what the rest of the business owners wanted – to bring a certain tax back for the small business owners. WTH!! who in the right frame of mind would want more taxes? and even though he is our landlord – he definitely doesn’t speak for us. What gives him the right to manipulate all of us – into making time to go listen to his ridiculous suggestions? And whoever originally invited us thru’ this business associate who was also blind-sided – definitely is cunning to the max ! The nerve of this fellas!!! who do they think they are! GOD! or the MAFIA!
We want to carry the Wacom Bamboo Capture at our store but before we do – we have to try out the gadget first and see how we can sell it right? so yes! we went ahead and bought the Bamboo Capture and will be carrying them at our store. There are lots of great artists in town apparently – or college student using it in this town.
The store’s Christmas decor is up ! and early too ! thanks to Gary – who did everything – but of course, this year we also have a Christmas tree from our home – and so it’s really a lot easier to decorate that small window. But all in all – it’s a good beginning – because I didn’t have to do it – muahahha!!
I definitely like the candy cane i bought at the craft show – next year I plan to buy a lot more.
So a old restaurant from Tusket moved to town ! yipppeeeE!! more places for us to try out good food! I’ve always like Marco’s and will definitely be visiting them more often than they were in Tusket. They are no right in the middle of town but still close enough to venture there for lunch and dinner.
Once upon a time – I loved to go to cosmetic counters and try new cosmetics and skin care products all because of the fashionistas @ the cosmetic counters. But after coming to this little town – I don’t really look forward to going to any cosmetic counters – because most of the girls there are – lets just say – don’t speak for the product. I guess now I know why in Asia – they want the young and pretty plus sexy ones on their cosmetic counters – because beauty and slim looking girls sells stuff. They give you confident – to promote the product. Which made me think of the way I dressed up our store many years ago – let me explain – if I had wanted to tell people that eyelash growth products here are the best – then I have to have the longest eyelash right? or put on fake ones – if necessary. But if I have a store full of computer parts – how am I going to promote eyelash growth products to anyone at all. Likewise, I dressed up the store in such a girly manner – with flowers and ponds – now how were people gonna take our store seriously as a computer and game store? So yes – coming back to the fashionistas at the cosmetic counters here – you can now understand why I don’t play dress up no more right? especially seeing a 200 pound woman wearing a tube in this town – I figured I won’t need to compete a lot with anyone – just as long as I don’t put on any tubes.
This was the location that we were eyeing for – for the longest time – but of course – Pet Valu a chain store has it – but that’s ok – one of our regular customer – is the manager here – so I’m happy and so is the boss.
As much as I don’t like chain store – I’ll have to say that Pet Valu does look nice inside – and lots of products to offer pet lovers and owners.
Lets hope that Pet Valu doesn’t affect another customer’s pet store also in Starrs Road too much – since theirs is like ours a local small business owner.
Lots of pet food.
The store as you can see is well renovated too! we can afford the renovation – for this place – but just didn’t wanna fork out $10K for it. We are that el cheapo – when it comes to renting.
Frozen food for pets will be available soon – wished they had fish though – but they do have fish food.
I’m sure Pet Valu will do well – because it is after all a chain store – deep pockets.
A spectacular turnout for the downtown Halloween Parade – a lot more than we had expected and some of the entries were pretty good too. Younger children were mostly the ones in this parade and some adults and not forgetting their dogs. Great to see the event turned out well – and it was not too, too cold that night.
Halloween this year – sees the store decorated with big items only. We forgo the smaller items – and concentrated on the bigger items. This year also see the store in a better place and after 12 years in business – I have to say that I’m truly happy for the spouse and myself. Not only do we have a good volunteer at the store – that we can count on and honest – for the very first time – he is also very reliable and flexible with his time. He also does not give us any personal grievance and works really hard for absolutely nothing. I’m happy for the store and myself – no more stress.
The other day – a customer came in to sell his ipod – at the same time – he also said to the boss – that he was in his last year of his computer course and is going to be just like him. I’m guessing he means as successful ? and own his own business? or making lots of money repairing them and selling them? Every now and then – far to often in my opinion – we have people coming in to say stuff like that. Little do they know that running a successful business is not as easy as they think. Many of these people don’t have no clue as to where to begin to do anything – because learning stuff from books – with no practical experience is like a nurse doing her internship.
If only it was so easy – but like everything in the many years in business – we just nod and wish them good luck. 4 years ago – a disgruntled ex-employer – whose boyfriend also went into a computer course – and of course – he said he was going to put us out of business after he finished his course. But guess what? we are still in business – muahahhaha!!
We’ve watched many kids grow up at our store – for the last 12 years being in business and when we first met them – they always tell their parents what a cool store we have. Most of them would say they want to work here at the store when they grow up – they are just so cute. We have lot of little boys come thru’ our store more than girls because we have more toys for boys than girls I guess – and you can imagine how many of them we’ve left an impression on. For when they come home from college and drop in to say hello – they always remind us of how we used to threaten them to be good or else they can’t get any games at our store. This year for Christmas – we are looking at Personal Creations boys gifts for all these little loyal customers of ours – who’ve made our store a success – because without them – we wouldn’t be here. At the moment, we have a few boys who comes into our store on a daily basis – so we want to reward them with something special that they can carry with them everyday to school and show off to their friends that they got this little duffel bag from our store – with their name on it. We have a few choices that we can choose from – from t-shirts to pencil cases – and they are at reasonable prices – plus I can also get some of these personalize gift for my friend’s kids as well – while I am at it. So yes! this year – we have some surprises for our loyal lil’ customers.
These shopping bags were sent by the supplier for Magic the Gathering – I loved it – because it would give those who are fans of Magic the Gathering something to carry their Magic cards in. I don’t think the supplier sends it to all stores – only for those who are on core level – so there are some good to being a Core level store for Magic The Gathering. For those who wants one of these bags – don’t forget to come buy some Magic cards.
The boss decided to buy some guitars from people who came into the store to sell them not too long ago and as you all know – I’m not very keen on getting stuff that we are not familiar with. I don’t know how to tell a good guitar from a broken one – or the make and brand of it. Anyhow after the first one showed up at our store – we are getting more people who wants to bring in their guitar for sale. But of course, since the first one haven’t sold yet – I don’t think he was willing to buy anymore. Someone came in and asked if we were also giving guitar lessons here since we have the guitars at our store now – funny right! now if we had someone who knows how to play the guitar or even tune it – I wouldn’t mind buying more guitars for the store to resell – but as it is – no matter how funky looking any guitar might be – I just wouldn’t know how to price them up.
So I rather – he keeps buying the console guitars for Guitar Heroes and such – and even though we have a lot of those – I know we will sell them eventually. As I am writing this – another customer just walked in and asked if we give guitar lessons – hahhaha!!! I kid you not. So I’m figuring people do want to take lessons but don’t have anywhere to go to in this town.
