Chicago -- Our Way

Ah,--April! A week before our Grand Opening.  So, since we have no idea what we're going to sell this spring, because we're barely open, what else to do, but go to Wholesale Market, and pick out the Fall Fashions.  That's how far ahead we have to plan, because that's when the orders must be placed.

But, wait!  This is one of our weekends.  What better way to prepare for a frantic weekend of choosing from among the 4000 vendors, making crucial decisions, only a week before the store opens. After a week of waxing floors, installing fixtures, and a certain Demon Valve, it's time to switch gears.

One must be prepared.  So, I headed for --- ta DAAA!   My workshop -- of course to round up my plumbing tools, because one of the !!#$@ toilets started leaking all over the place and had to be taken apart.  So instead of getting all the notes and contacts and computers in order, I was up to my elbows in Home Improvement.  I suppose I should be happy it didn't happen in the morning...

 

But at last, we fell over from exhaustion, and woke up the next morning for our transport to the train station in Chicago - Union Station.

 And then, two frantic days of talking to old vendors, meeting new ones, looking at what is new for Fall, as opposed to something the vendor was just trying to pawn off on us.  It looks a lot like shopping, but everything has part numbers, delivery terms, and order constraints.. 

 He looks a little dazed by the second morning.

 As opposed to being energized  by the whole thing

.

A very well-done fashion show after breakfast.

And finally, home.  Fall over, Rinse, Repeat.....

 
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