Well, nothing is easy about starting a new business in an old historical house.  I finally got an estimate from a local construction company this week -- $10,400.  Wow!!  That's not going to happen.

The issue now is whether I must absolutely have an ADA compliant entrance.  From looking at information the Department of Justice has for small businesses, you may not have to make changes to old buildings.  The statement is, "In some instances, especially in older buildings, it may not be readily achievable to remove some architectural barreirs.  For example, a restaurant with several steps leading to its entrance may determine that it cannot afford to install a ramp or a lift.  In this situation, the restaurant must provide its services in another way if that is readily achievable, such as providing takeout service."  We are looking into whether having a website for the business would not achieve this standard.

It is certainly NOT that I don't want disabled people to visit my business, but it may be too expensive, and something that will never be approved by the Historic Landmarks Society.  My attorney is looking into this by asking questions of the city's area planning group.

We have now set up an Etsy account and a gal by the name of Taylor Sisson is working at creating a web page for the business.  Our domain name is femininemystiquellc.com.  I'm going to start by selling my aprons on Etsy and see how that goes.  I can always add merchandise as I get more used to using the site.  Hopefully, some money will start coming in instead of only flowing out!

The official business name is now Feminine Mystique, LLC.  That is one thing that my attorney has managed to fix for me.  As far as re-zoning goes, all signs now look good.  We just have to figure out what we're going to do with parking and the ADA entrance.  I called a contractor that the attorney knows and he is so busy right now he doesn't have time to come and give an estimate.  He told me he works on student housing, so with school getting ready to start back up he's really backed up.  We're not talking a long time, however, as he asked me to call him again next week.  Wonder why my attorney didn't suggest him back in March when we first started working together?!

Double Bee Fence Company took out the old privacy fence as well as the small garden fence, and have set the poles for the new privacy fence.  I am going to look at Menard's for fencing for the garden.  Anything will be cheaper that the $1700 quoted by the Fence Company and the landscaper!  I may have to put it up a section at a time, but evidently we'll get things looking good.