Waechter's Blog

Monday, March 09, 2009

Our New Home





Finally, after a hectic three weeks, I can catch my breath. We have packed up and moved to a new location in Asheville. Once we signed the new lease, my staff and I started packing whenever we had a few moments. After working in our former location without heat and hot water since mid-November, we were ready to leave our old digs!




On Sunday, March 1st, staff members, their husbands, sons and friends were set to begin moving bolts and bolts of fabric. We awoke that morning with snowflakes in the air. Did my team wait to see what the weather was going to do? Absolutely not! They converged on the shop hours ahead of schedule and started a caravan of SUVs and station wagons loaded to the hilt with bolts of silk, linen, cotton, wools, interfacings, Irish toweling and a few other things we could not pack in boxes.
After several trips, back and forth, we finished moving the fabric...and not a minute too soon. In the beginning, the snow was beautiful, large floating flakes that melted as they touched our nose or the ground. As the day grew colder and the wind picked up, the streets were slushy and those who lived on the mountain tops were concerned about icy roads. Laura had made two large pots of chili which really hit the spot before everyone started heading home.
Then, Monday morning, the moving company was to arrive at 8 a.m. to move the boxes and fixtures....however, we had icy streets, schools and many businesses were closed with more snow and rain predicted. So much for our carefully laid plans. The movers finally showed up around 2 and worked until 9 pm that evening. Our carpenter was also busy building new walls and fabric fixtures.



A very talented guy, Jack, designed the floor plan for our new space. We have a great new wall for our designer patterns, another larger wall for notions, a special corner for children's fabrics and lots and lots of mannequins - 50+ children and adults - dressed in our fabulous samples throughout the store. The fabrics are so beautiful in this wonderful space.






In just 5 days, we were ready to open in our new location - 9-D Reed Street - in a large brick warehouse built in 1921. The original Waechter's Silk Shop opened its doors on March 6, 1929 in downtown Asheville. Saturday, we celebrated our 80th Anniversary in our new store. It was a beautiful day, sunshine and spring temps in the upper 70s. Customers, new and returning, came from all over WNC to check out our new home.


But it was not without incident. When I walked into the store that morning, I could smell gas! The gas company came and thought the problem had been fixed; but then had to return later in the day. At 6 pm we were told to leave the building, don't think that doesn't make your heart do flip flops! Finally, this afternoon (Monday), the gas problem is fixed and all is well.

Our new home is still a work in progress as we are nestling in. We will have it altogether in a short while. So what if we cannot not find the remote to the stereo today...we found the internet connector that was missing for a few days... and we still have to have a couple more wall spaces to be built. I have a great staff who are working as fast as they canto bring it all to fruition. What more could I ask for!

You wonder how Abby's adjusting to the new store? At the beginning of the week, she was somewhat nervous, having problems settling in. However, today, she seems more relaxed and 'at home,' probably because I am a little more relaxed and have some time to spend at my desk and computer. Abby also has more living space here at the new store, her doggie bed is no longer under my desk.


Please visit our new home....we would love to see you and show you around our new store. We look forward to seeing you soon.

It's sew fine,

Joyce