Getting Closer to bailing out

I have a nearby friendly basement competitor that may buy my business & building. He needs a new place, and the timing seems perfect. A few factors are my worsening arthritis. The state of the industry.

**************** You're never too young to retire, glassman! I'd be doing it too if I had the cash. Sorry to hear about the arthritis. Stained glass work would be difficult with a problem with that.

Good luck, Michael

Is he a graduate of the Brady College of Basement Bandits?

It's interesting that you post this. One of the few remaining SG stores in the metro ATL area told me yesterday that they are wanting to sell out.

I've been lucky enough to keep dodging bullets, (Mexican & Chinese imports, net sellers, etc), and skating around all the various challenges over the years. With all the re-inventing I've done, retailing is the single toughest. It can be done, but you need the right location at the right overhead to make any money. My potential buyer won't be doing retail. He has his own 25 year old client list to keep him busy. I'm just turning everything over to him including the phone number. It's really amazing but in my local 20 mile area of over 6 million, there's only a few stores left.

Kim

Look at this as an opportunity for change. Hardly ever embrased willingly, but nontheless an exciting adventure. Ivan, also known as:

Is it too late for me to go to dental school?

Nah, ya old coot. It'll be just in time for you to make yer own dentures. LOL

Geez maybe I can turn them on a lathe just like George Washington?

Handshake agreement in place... LOL. Anyone want anything from my shop before I turn it all over? I got lots of cool stuff.

You got an inventory list you could email me?

Still not a done deal until mortgage money is secured. In 25 years, I pretty much have all the same crap you all do, maybe only more, even a VHS tape on how to make molds for slumping, etc.

2 things you couldn't pay me enough money to do.

1. Make another tiffany lamp EVER

1. Make up an inventory list

I'd hold on to that for dear life! I've been waiting for my mold making tape for at least 18 months now.

did you fix that firetrap of a kiln you have?

Sarcastic asses......

and Moon? I don't recall you wanting one? I thought you saw it done first hand? Just for the sarcasm, I'll send it right away.

It's a fine kiln, it was the dried out plank of plywood it was sitting on for 20 years that decided to catch fire.

Wish I was closer....I would love to see your place before you turned it over...

Now I have a deposit check, so I know the guy is serious. He still needs to get his financing in order, and with what's going on with the mortgage, credit, and real estate markets, it couldn't be a worse time to get a good deal on a commercial mortgage. So here's the dilemma. Do I go backwards and become a basement bandit all over again? Can I return to the small and too hot or too cold, disgusting garage? Do I just wash my hands of the entire glass industry? My wife is still 5 years away from retiring, and the money I get at 5% interest won't exactly pay the bills unless I live in Guam. Is there enough money in Ebay to make ends meet? I'll keep you posted.

Do the art glass projects you want to do because you want to do them, customer be damned!!

Be a greeter at Wal-Mart or go work in the neighborhood hardware store, it isn't about the status of the job now, it is about the paycheck, that supplements the art, and the net check from the real estate. Kick back and enjoy a 8-4 job with no worries about management decisions.

Being our own boss and having my own "bankers hours" for so many years, it'll be strange to work an 8 hour day for someone else... but it's something to consider? Maybe Home Depot tool dept? Of course I'd be spending my entire paycheck there!