This is going to be a quick and likely rather dull update. I really wanted to be able to put out a grand announcement of a soft open in the coming days… but it’s looking a rather long way off. So for now, I’ll let the record stand with a few of the details that we’ve got going on.
First, the family made it back to Canada and we’re currently residing at a temporary space in Vernon, BC!
We made it! We’re vaxxed to the extent that we can be having only been here now for three weeks out of quarantine, and we’re settling in ever-so-slowly. But we’re running out of time to get established and have hit a few unforseen walls.
First up, housing (and a space for a bagel shop – more on this later). It is ridiculously pricey to rent in Vernon (and very difficult to come by), and as we haven’t been back in the country very long, we don’t qualify for a mortgage all alone. Here’s where family has stepped in. We are going to be viewing spaces this weekend – wish us luck!
Next, all those other nagging details: passport, driver’s license, vehicle, health insurance, covid vaccinations… We have been able to tick each of these items off our list. It’s not a finished process, as we’ll still be receiving our drivers’ licenses in the mail, as we’ll still be getting our second shots, and as the passport is currently being prepared in Vancouver (4-5 hours away by car), but it’s progress. And we’ve got cars to work with.
Then there were looming fires. We were even on evacuation alert for a couple of days. That was a first for me and one of the less comfortable experiences of my life. For about a week, I put all business thoughts on hold.
This was a good day.
Presently, I can’t even see halfway across the city (none of the hills are visible) for the smoke.
But we persevered. And the business has been crawling forward.
I’ve identified three different areas in the city that would be ideal for Bonsai Bagels. I’m in communications with a real estate agent to help me get set up. I’ve opened a bank account with our local credit union (Valley First Credit Union), I’ve been in communications with the city regarding bylaws and bagels, and I’m in communication with a mason to help me build the oven. It’s just going to take a little while.
