03 July 2012

Open Your Heart to Me

Engagement CupcakeIt's rare that I find myself at a loss for words. The past few days, every person I meet has asked something akin to the following..."Sooooo? How's it going?" while talking about my shop finally being open. I'm finding it really hard to articulate my feelings in concise sentences. It may be the lack of sleep. So what I have to say in response has been a hodge podge of sentiments with the following being some of the key words:

Crazy, great, fun, interesting, hectic, a headache, tiring, exciting, my dream come true, stressful, an adventure, a work in progress, lovely to meet so many people I've only known virtually, trying, fantastic, really good, I am exhausted, I've done it!, it's just the beginning, amazing first day, hoping to find our rhythm, my back is killing me, I love my kitchen, the customers are so sweet!, time to bake again, blah, blah, blah (I really do say this a lot - my husband has pointed out to me my over-use of the expression "blah, blah, blah.").

Sugar Daze Bake Shop

I think a rough translation of our first week would be we had a rocking first day (we gave away 100 free cupcakes and sold out of what we had baked to sell about 2 hours in advance!) and it's been up and down ever since. I know from being in this business the past few years, there are a lot of ups and downs and trying to figure out a pattern is almost impossible. I think the same may be true for a brick and mortar. Last Tuesday, it was pretty dead in the shop and today (again Tuesday), I have barely had a second to breath. It's frustrating to figure out so I won't bother!

Black Coffee in Bed

Many of you have asked where the shop is located. We are at 20 rue Henry Monnier in the 9th. This is a few blocks down from the sex shops of Pigalle and in the other direction, you find your way down to the department stores, Printemps and Galeries Lafayette in just a few minutes. It's a real crossover neighborhood but oh so charming and the locals have welcomed us warmly. There are some adorable, kitschy shops on our street, and so far the restaurants sampled have not disappointed. Several of my friends who have stopped by have mentioned that Henry Monnier is one of their favorite streets in Paris. I can't disagree. Very happy to have settled on this location.


So if you are in the neighborhood, stop on by. And if you're not, why not take a walk on the wild side and come check it out. I'm here most days; otherwise, I leave the shop in the very capable hands of Chris. PS thanks to my bank, we are without a functioning credit card machine for the time being...working on that but don't say you haven't been warned. :P

3 comments:

  1. Chris is me! Hello readers I take over the shop so Cat can have some family time and take a break. I'm there most afternoons that the shop is open so if you're coming for "goûter" you'll probably see me.
    I think the shop is going great Cat. And since you get a lot of orders on the side in reality the shop is going well, even if it takes a while for every day of the week to be sold out up front.

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  2. Aw, thanks for the support as always. I think it's just a matter of finding balance on the day to day. Hard to anticipate demand, harder to understand customer flow. But I know it's going to be great and I appreciate your willingness to accompany me on the journey! :P

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  3. Cat, great to hear your report on how it's going! Glad the first day was such a triumph and sure there are lots more such days to come. Wish we were closer, to be able to visit. How about a branch in Delhi in due course?! Jill x

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