January 03, 2006

Now Comes The Hard Part

Baby's Breath near the pasture fence near Caldwell AR

"No they didnt pass inspection...the next one will be friday," Woody says to me calling from the Grapevine. The city of Rogers should be thrilled that they are moving into the abandoned Expo Center, generating all of that tax revenue... but typical, true to form, the city is fighting progress, fearful of the impact the added people comming into the area to shop. And no wonder. This town is affectionatly known as "Boomtown" due to its exploding growth. This quiet community of 18000 just a few short years ago is now home to 38,000 and is the bedroom community for the "Big Three" WalMart, Tyson and JB Hunt. Known on its own as the home of Daisy MFG, (how many of you owned a Daisy BB Gun as a kid?, like as not it was made here in Rogers)

Rogers is also home to a major medical center and most of this areas shopping and dining. Resturants and shopping malls are springing up along with the housing tracts that are consuming the range lands and creating a city sprung up like summer grass. Its not easy on anyone and the locals are scared of the changes and angry at the loss of a rural way of life.

While there are those opposed to The Grapevine moving in, others know that this is just the ticket to get away from the over reach of Wal Mart and the sameness of the big box store. The Source mall creates a little downtown under a roof. They are putting in a Cafe and entertainment area so you could come and spend a hot summer day there in the cool airconditioning. It adds stores and shopping without building and tearing up the streets!

Well we are still hopefull. I ordered my first product,from our friends at Twinflies, a small family run manufacturer in Hong Kong and display peices. Our old suppliers are so thrilled. My box maker pulled my hot stamping plates for the lettering insde the boxes and said with dismay "It says Hilo Hawaii on it..." I said "Yes, isnt that lovely, we are going to leave that just as it is..." Unless you were there and saw people glom onto those gorgeous velvet boxes with "Hawaii" stamped on them you wouldnt understand.

Woody is still working down there and the people havent talked to him about full time work but I see that comming. They need some one to run the 25 jewelry cases and/or do security. The lady doing the hireing wasnt sure if she was going to need Woody unless he'd work for space rent which is absurd. We shall see how things go.

It was dead slow at my job...I cranked up Aloha Joe and went to work looking up more prospects for suppliers. I ran down a dozen or so and sent emails off for info. Now that I have a business license I can start stocking...This is the fun part.

The waiting... that is the hard part...