The New Town shopping mall

Sunday May 20, 2012

I finished watching a movie ‘21’ with Jim Sturgess and Kevin Spacey around 9:30.  I went to bed and read The bonesetter’s daughter, an Amy Tan novel, until I dropped off to sleep.  That’s our Book Club book of the month.  I awoke during the night, as usual these days.  I got up at 4:30 and wrote into my journal for an hour, since it had been some days now that I have neglected that.  When I went back to bed I put on the sleeping mask and earplugs; I felt tired to the bone.

I heard the cell phone ring.  The Jamaican calypso steel drum followed by the sound of a marble bouncing.  I dazedly got out of bed and walked to the other room, fishing around my purse for the phone.  Daniel was on the line, it was 9:10, and he informed me that the landlady had called him and asked to meet at 9:30.  Oi.

Yesterday it rained cats and dogs.  Today, I heard, it wasn’t going to rain.  I confidently put on long pants and a short sleeved shirts, and sandals.  I rode the elevator down, walked out to the front gate and looked for Daniel.  He hadn’t arrived yet, so I scurried back to my room for a sweater and socks.  It was 60 some degrees out there!

Daniel and his son arrived.  Yesterday it was chess lessons, today the boy was going to play ping pong.  We drove to the Xin Cheng Shang Jie (the New Town) shopping plaza; Jane was already there.  He had called her.

Meeting the landlady

In short order the landlady arrived.  Daniel excused himself, and took his son to his play date.  The landlady is a fashionable lady, with a pixie hair cut.  Jane explained that I was planning on making western style breads.  As she and Jane chatted, she said she had a business in the neighborhood too, and would steer her customers to me.

Jane told the woman we wanted a 2-year lease, with us just paying the first year upfront.  The landlady said she would not charge us during the remodeling phase.  This meant the rent would begin June 1.  All of this is taking place in front of the shop.  The rusted U-bolt sealed the door; she had no key.  I still haven’t seen the so-called kitchen!  Never mind, whatever it took, I would fix it up.

Next steps: remodeling, decorating, buying equipment


On the drive home, Jane asked me to show her pictures of Panera, as we had talked about previously.  I think she still has in mind it will be an eat-in shop.  I don’t think there will be room for much decoration.  She is eager to begin!

She arranged with Daniel that he will take me Tuesday to the restaurant equipment shops, to buy the equipment.  Then we will call in the electricians and plumbers, to install everything.  The oven is the main thing, of course, and we have to buy that online.  Barring any delays in its arrival, I should have me a professional bakery up and running by June 1.

Since it is downstairs from Web, I can actually do some baking right away.  I suspect that, at least in the beginning, I will have enough helpers for kneading and shaping the dough.  I can imagine that the July Web ECA will be a trip to the baker’s, and baking your own bread.  Since rolls can bake in only 20 minutes, everyone can walk away with something in their hand.  this should be my first money-making venture.  Everyone should have a good time.

The location is perfect.