the railings, the new plantings, and..

Here are the promised pictures from the weekend's installations:  railings and plants

And this week is full of activity finishing many elements of many infrastructure jobs.  If you are someone who walks by, you may notice that the bay window chandelier is installed!  You may also notice that the chairs on the porch now match the railings, and (according to some) are quite comfortable! -- only thing missing is the beverage and treat.

Some of you may know this name:  Atmospheric.  If you do, you will likely have an idea about one visual treat in store for you when you visit the BR.  

Wrought iron railings, a step closer...

And a step safer!  The steps up from the sidewalk to the porch are not steep, they are not narrow, they are just fine.  However, with the flow of traffic into the BR and the number of folks who might need a hand up, the safety requirement for hand railings is hugely practical.  The key is, can it be both attractive, fitting for the historical district and meet the safety requirements.

I am pleased to say that Mike Toth has come through again with a welding team who crafted and installed a beautiful pair of railings.  Thanks Brian and Rob for working on Sunday.  (Pictures to follow)

espresso machine installed today!

A red letter day or coffee colored if you prefer.  Wally, originally from Costa Rica & now a longtime employee of Kobrick's Coffee, installed our San Marco e-85 and our Mahlkonig espresso grinder.  The set up was quick and the test espressos, lattes and cappucinos were extraordinarily attractive as well as tasty.

Wally is a consummate professional and he will be back to train our staff in the coming weeks.  As usual, a few pics:

7+ teams working today to bring the BR to opening day

Granite counter top installation

Marble fireplace surround installation

Heat in the kitchen installation

Carpentry -- baby changing stations installed in both Men & Women's rooms -- ++++

Access pathway removed, graded and reseeded

Neighbor's driveway "topped up" with crushed stone, looking good!

Kitchen equipment all placed, leveled, connected

Painting... continues......

Charlie, continuing to hook up plumbing

And, of course, Mike managed it all!

Here are a few pics from the day -- the transformation is close to complete

Pictures of the floor guys and the duct guys..+++

Who works at the Rooster on Sat?  This weekend it's the floor guys as well as the stalwarts - the carpenters.  The work is moving right along.  The floors look great and will have all but the final finish coat by the end of the weekend.  The carpenters are doing lots of "final bits".  As as you see, the kitchen guys brought in the final pieces of equipment yesterday.  Most all of it is positioned and hooked up -- it is amazing to see the transformation of space into the Rooster and its kitchen.  And let's not leave the duct guys out--- all important to the successful running of a kitchen - the duct work extracting air from the stoves and ovens is vital.  These guys did the final touches to assure all meets the requirements.  Thanks all!

The coming week is all about painting, installing counter tops, installing seating, finalising a few details of design and then... bringing in the official reviewers -- 

More on that as the week goes on.

Another good day at the Blue Rooster

Today the big ticket events were -- 

• Final delivery of kitchen equipment - the waitstaff prep area table and the chef station -- both custom made by Ed -- see prior posts for more about Ed
  
• Completion of duct work to/from oven and stove hoods -- the two smiley guys did that!  Thanks guys.
• And the hardwood floors throughout the original part of the BR are now sanded and 1st coat of sealant was applied today

The work continues tomorrow, yes more Saturday work to be sure we bring this business online as scheduled!  Thanks Mike.

and, oh by the way -- we are interviewing --- some great people want to work with us!  Hiring decisions are imminent.  If you know anyone who wants to join us, we have slots for baristas and for waitstaff.    We'd love to hear from you.

catepillar into butterfly

These next two weeks are when the caterpillar inside the cocoon will be doing the final and most spectacular part of its transformation.  Read no further if the parallel between our building and the wonders of nature do not seem natural to you!

To me, the vision inside my head has slowly been moving into the 3D spaces that are the Blue Rooster building.  Piece by piece - an enlarged bench for sitting with your coffee, tea, cocoa; a small counter top for you to add sugar, milk, or variations on them to your coffee, tea, cocoa; an exterior wall that will show all our customers how brick was used in the mid 1800's, what held beams together before steel nails; move a door -- make room for a marvelous oil and vinegar "station"; uncover a pumpkin pine floor and bring it back to its glory -- all of these pieces are complete and have happened over the last several months.

Now, the WOW is happening -- the kitchen is a huge WOW and you've seen those pictures and read about its installation (more tomorrow on that progress..).  Paint the walls, finish all the floors -- this is NOW and will bring a major part of the vision to reality.  By the beginning of next week, all this work will be complete ("we are always on schedule" --- MT).

So with that a given -- next week the cafe seating will arrive, the granite counter top that will support the espresso machine will arrive, the espresso machine will arrive, the mahogany counter top from which you will order your beverage will arrive, and the all important front porch hand railing will likely be completed (by a metal 'artist' - and you know artists -- they are not to be rushed...) and installed.

The butterfly is starting to move with alacrity, soon the break will be made in the cocoon and we will have full fledged flight.