Phew what a busy week we have had.  We started the week getting the keys for our new shop and ended it nearly ready to open.  So what did we do?
Firstly we sat and contemplated.  Sound lazy doesn't it, But we hadn't seen the shop enough to know exactly what to do!  The first time we saw it, we fell in love, not necessarily with the shop itself but with the location, which is in the beautiful harbour village of Polperro, in Cornwall. We made the decision, as we quite often do, with our hearts. So as reality set in we decided before we signed the contract ( which I have to say is scary). We would need to see it again.  It just so happens that we had a lovely visit with some good friends who's opinion means a lot to us, so we dragged them screaming  (NOT) to view it.  We all had a good poke round and I started to panic about all of the metal shelves and slat board.  As Mr Wellydog put it, we wanted it, 'less Woolworths and more Wellydog!'.  So with all the ideas we had discussed with our friends and with all the discussions we had had while waiting for the lease to go through.  We realised everything we had thought of doing was not really that possible.
We started to take down so of the metals walls.  the problem with this is, we had to be able to store them, as part of our contract says we have to return the shop to its original state when we leave. So apart from storing them, everything we did, had to be reversible. 

We made the decision to take out the back wall, as that was the easiest one to remove and the wall behind was actually if fairly good condition. Also I felt it would make a good wall to become a focal point. We knew we wanted to move the counter and fudge counter ( yes I know, why do we need a fudge counter?)  The counter needed to positioned so we could easily greet people and be able to see the whole of the shop.  Moving it sideways on, seemed logical. I had picked some bold stripey wallpaper for the back wall, but when I came to order it, it was discontinued Grrrrr.  But actually it was a good thing as we found a wave mural wallpaper, that certainly makes a statement.  The way we had to split the picture for the door, meant that there is a strip on the side that needed covering.  I painted it a nice windsor blue and painted in some shadows and white splashes to blend it in. 
There were three central units which we felt was too crowded, so with the help of our daughter and son in law it was taken apart and stored in the back store room.
It was helpful to have such a tall son in law.  He was very useful both in stature and in ideas to get the sign up. We had bought pub letters when our sign at Hayle had got ruined in the storms.  I like them, but if I'm honest I miss the old sign.  I will live with it for a while, but it may get changed at a later date as we have realised our logo is no where on the shop. How daft. 
Then all our jewellery cabinets were moved in and were assembled and attached them to the wall.  The cleaning then had to begin, moving loads of bits meant the floor was in a bit of a state.  The last thing when did before leaving for a restful weekend, was to paint the store room door. It was in need of a bit of tlc.  So here we are at the end of the week just about ready. 
Tomorrow we collect some stock from a few of our lovely crafters, we then will finish the last bits of cleaning.  (The shelves and the glass cabinets).  Then we should be all ready to start filling the shelves, ready to open on Wednesday. 

Janice x

Today was a bit terrifying, we had to move the glass cabinets, We had dismantled them on Sunday so it was just loading all the glass into the car and driving it across Cornwall. Its not the first time but hopefully it will be the last for at least a few years, its quite nerve wraking, but as you can see they all made it. But they do look a bit lost!  We are not quite sure where there final place will be, so they  haven't been attached to the  walls yet. The floor is not very straight so they will need a lot of packing and adjusting, but nothing Mr Wellydog can't handle.

I don't know if you noticed, but we dismantled the metal wall at the back of the shop.  I have plans for it.  We found an old Arch way,  I bet that used to look lovely.  We also uncovered the Mirror window in the right hand wall.  I quite like it, but I think we will be covering it up again.  There are a lot of shelving units in the store room behind so its not useful for any light. We are wondering about the one way sort of security windows, in the back if the shop.  Maybe it was a post office or somewhere dealing with money?  Anyway they are a bit odd.  We know a little bit of the history.  Before us, it was a man who ran a gift shop for about 7 years. We have also found the Ghost of lettering on the front window that says it was a fudge shop, We spoke to a lovely couple who run businesses in Polperro and they said the fudge shop didn't last long. There is already a long established fudge shop in the village so I guess they couldn't compete.

We have also met two other fellow shop owners,  The lady across the road who runs the Dog gift shop and also the lady next door with a quilt shop.  Its nice to be made to feel welcome. Also a fellow Instagrammer, spoke to me briefly and said welcome, which was so lovely.
You can also see we managed to finish moving the monster of a counter, Its opened the back off the shop right up,   The fudge counter is massive and very very heavy, so it was quite a palarva.  We think we have it in the right place, but wont know until we actually use it in anger.   I'm not entirely sure what I'm going to use a fudge counter for?  but I sure I will find a use for it !!!

Another long day today and yet another tomorrow.

janice x

What an eventful day.  We finally got into our new shop.  Phew its seemed like a long time coming, but then again we hadn't even thought about moving until 8 weeks ago, so its been quite quick really. For those of you who don't know we are moving from our little shop in Hayle to a much larger shop in Polperro.  We will be moving house later in the year to, and we will be closer to family and friends, not masses but enough to stay in Cornwall but to cut the journey into a manageable distance, for more frequent visits.

This morning didn't go quite to plan,  we were surprised to still find snow on route and also had to drive though a flooded road. When we arrived at the agents, the solicitor hadn't agreed to release the keys. It took so long to sort out because the solicitors all went to lunch.  Apparently they don't prioritize  the smaller payments so we had to wait,....  Anyway at about 3pm we finally got into the shop...phew.    

So what next........ we need to inject some colour or at least soften the effect of all the slat-board and metal shelves.  Its a too bit harsh for my liking.  Unfortunately as we are renting, then whatever we remove or change we have to be prepared to return to its original state, when we leave at the end of our lease.  So anything too major will be hard as we cant store that amount of shelves etc.  But I have some ideas and a little bit of a plan as formed in our heads this afternoon.

The units are very heavy and we did manage to move one,  but its going to have to be in easy stages so I don't wreck Mr Wellydog already delicate back. 

Anyway Its been a long day but we will be back tomorrow to see what else we can do.... watch this space .

Janice x