the windows are blocked...

Yesterday a friend of the BR stopped by and wanted a peek -- and I turned him away!  

It was hard to do, as any of you who have been subjected to my; "Do you have time to come in?, Let me show you around, it will just take a minute.."  

 

From the day we closed on the house, it has been open to all comers.  

Now, while the final decorations and set up is underway, the doors are shut, the windows are papered over and we look forward to welcoming you either during one of our pre-opening events or during our grand opening week.

• What are the pre-opening events?  Sign up on the website and you'll be invited.
  
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• When is the Grand Opening Week?  Soon to be announced.
  

And now the training begins

Staff training began today.  

The BRs were out in full force -  full of ideas, questions, and a willingness to learn from one of the best barista-trainers in the US.  

Wally came out from NYC to teach us how to use our espresso machine to the full.  He gave us all a  workout on the basics and some of the especially nice touches when making:  

• espresso
• latte
• macchiata
• cappuccino

Trieste espresso, roasted over wood, made in small batches is our brew and everyone test-tasting today agrees - it is excellent!

Whole milk and soya milk make phenomenal cappuccino, latte, and macchiata!

news

we now have a health inspection certificate, signed and read to be placed in the front hall.  It says: SATISFACTORY

Final Pre-opening pics

The windows are papered, the workers are just about done with the punch list, the inspectors are coming through and we are within weeks of opening the doors!

From now to opening day - we'll be focusing on the staff, the menu and the wonder of making it through the construction phase and into the open for business phase!

The little things...

So, a few of the little things that are done or underway:

1) the historic plaque - sent it out to West Pattern on Hightstown's Main St - they are the firm that does all the plaques for Cranbury.  Out plaque looks great!  You'll see it on the front of the house when you come visit.

2) hanging small shelves, throughout - so we have a spot to set the menus, the small "take-aways", the ???

3) planning for additional / alternate display tops for the daily bakery special -- it might be a small cookie for the after school crowd or a minin s'more cheesecake for that dynamite dessert -- or, or, or... what would you like to see?

4) coat hooks - check and check

5)which baskets will be used where and for what -- decisions being made

6) shelves starting to be stocked with a few of the goodies we think will go great with our breads - we hope you'll take some home and give it a try: jams, fruit butters, oils and more

7) Cleaning -- not really a little thing, however it is ongoing and a number of our future waitstaff are pitching in -- way to go!!

8) Where should the various roosters roost?

9) The music is set and sounds quite fine

10) Signage to help everyone find what they want:  cafe, coffee, bakery...is in development.

And so it goes these last few weeks.  

What little things??

If you have any thoughts on what we may likely not have ready for day one and should -- those little items that can be easily forgotten -- I'm all "ears" -- 

And the countdown begins...

We are less than 1 month from our opening.  

• The final construction and pre-opening inspections are scheduled for this week. 
  
• Finalising the menu and its pricing is underway with our cooks now onboard and in the midst of that process.
  
• Ordering the goods necessary to open is underway.
  
• Hiring staff for all positions and shifts is underway, and indeed close to complete for day one.
  

What encouragement we continue to receive from locals, walkers, those who sign up on the website-- thank you all for helping us keep the vision strong as we come close to the next finish / start "line"!