In the weeks preceding the closing of our shop, I often heard the phrase “the next chapter.” Many people referred to its closing as one chapter in my life, and the future would be the next chapter. Now, I am unemployed. I say I’m a full-time photographer and writer. These are the passions that the Lord has blessed me with and what He wants me to storm.
The Lord granted me peace. I had already endured a difficult grieving process. The shop’s closing had been coming for a long time. I was eager to get through the next five weeks until we closed.
The closing date is April 21, 2012, and our auction will take place on April 24. Our money from selling our equipment will help cover a portion of our loan. If we’re lucky, we may get twenty-five cents to the dollar. We spent $11,000 on our mixer alone.
Unfortunately, we are closing our cookie shop next month. While in my garage, I peeled the letters of the business logo off my car one by one.
It’s like it never happened.
Paul and I put all of the shop’s expenses on paper. It was too expensive to keep the shop at its current location. Paul looked at two small retail spaces that would save us a lot of money each month, but it did not add up when I included worker’s comp, taxes, rent, insurance, employee wages, etc. I mulled it over for a few days. I could not ask him to keep putting money into the business.
I agree we should close the shop. Paul already knew it—he was waiting for me to see for myself. It’s my job and my “baby.” I took the idea better after realizing it for myself. Paul did not have an emotional attachment like me.
I wanted to personally inform my employees before they heard the news from others. One Sunday, they came to my house, and I shared the news. I feel sorry for them because they will be losing their jobs.
My daughter, Lauren, also worked for us.
“It is sad and not fun losing my job.”
I know the owner of several restaurants, and called to let him know we are closing. My daughter and two employees need jobs, and he wanted them to apply. Soon, Lauren got a job.
