Friday, December 16, 2011

keeping it simple (in the store)

The Cash Register
Calculator, drawer with metal box for bills, quarters, dimes and nickels; half of an earring box for pennies. One dollar bills get a designated envelope.

The Credit Card Machine
I call them in. The old fashioned way. It would be really old fashioned if I didn't accept credit cards. (Or have a phone or calculator. I guess there are degrees of old-fashionedness.)

The Sales Desk (my view)
If I had a computerized cash register and bar codes and such this would be the POS a/k/a Point of Sale.

The Sales Desk (your view)
Vintage bird, bear from the artisans guild downstairs, pinecone from the forest, plate for business cards, teacup for fake tattoos. There's a chair you can sit in too, if you want to talk to me, or even if you don't.

Accounting and Inventory
File folders and composition books.

 So now you know all my business secrets. 

Remember the sign I was hounding you about? Here's the final design:
It will be cream with dark green lettering, and an orange trim line. Nick, the sign guy, says it should be ready by Christmas. Of course I'll take a picture for you then.
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12 comments:

  1. AnneDecember 16, 2011 at 11:48 AM

    Love the sign, Jen! Great design. Enjoyed the tour of your office too... esp the marbled notebooks. Aren't those just the greatest? They never change. Have a super weekend!

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  2. Jane and Lance HattattDecember 16, 2011 at 11:54 AM

    Hello Jen:
    And all very business like and totally professional. We note the 'Field Notes' sensibly to hand!

    We cannot wait to see the new, complete sign.

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  3. MiseDecember 16, 2011 at 4:05 PM

    I like your way of doing business; it is the set up of someone who sleeps easy at night.

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  4. Susan ~ Southern FascinationsDecember 16, 2011 at 4:35 PM

    Jen... Thanks for sharing your business plan! I love the sign... think it is simple and speaks to the heart of your store. I think you need one of those really old cash registers that have the awesome big round buttons with the numbers on them... you press them down and the flag pops up in the window at the top. I am sure there's a name for this type machine... I just don't know it! I loved spending summers in the late 1950s & early 60s with my aunt and uncle who ran a little country store in southwest Georgia. He would let me ring up purchases on the cash register. There was nothing quite like dusting the shelves and restocking the coca cola cooler... yes, you know every soft drink machine in the south is referred to as "coke machine!" Enjoy your get-a-way in the Catskills... Merry Christmas!

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  5. haricotDecember 16, 2011 at 6:57 PM

    Thank you for sharing your business concerning secrets. It's so fine.
    You spend urban life with PC on week days and do simpler way of weekend business. Wow!
    Please keep warm and have a very nice week end.

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  6. Town and Country GalsDecember 16, 2011 at 9:40 PM

    Jen,
    As far as I'm concerned, the simpler the better!
    Love the new sign, can't wait to see it finished! Just perfect, says it all!
    Merry Christmas
    Rebecca

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  7. JenDecember 17, 2011 at 12:05 AM

    Anne--I love those compositions books too--I use them for all kinds of things.

    Jane and Lance--I am excited about the sign--I think it's going to be perfect! And I always have a Field Notes notebook handy--in my pocket or purse or at hand.

    Mise--I am fortunate that the store is my avocation and not my means of earning a living. I would never sleep it it was.

    Susan--I hope on day to build a barnwood sales counter and on of those big old registers would be perfect for that. I love your memory of the country store in Georgia. Do you have pictures?

    Haricot--I am not sure what you mean by PC. Here it usually means Politically Correct. When I was planning the store it was a big relief when I realized I could keep it simple.

    Thanks Rebecca! Merry Christmas to you!

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  8. ElfReneeDecember 17, 2011 at 2:04 AM

    I love the design, your sign is going to be beautiful!!

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  9. UnknownDecember 17, 2011 at 9:12 AM

    Simple is the BEST way to be !
    I love the sign plan ! it is great. I have to just stop in and visit your place out there some time !

    - KAT -

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  10. haricotDecember 18, 2011 at 7:21 AM

    Jen, I meant it personal computer. Thank you for your suggestion.

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  11. JenDecember 18, 2011 at 9:19 AM

    Thanks, Renee. I know you are a graphic designer, so your enthusiasm is heartening.

    Kat--I wish I'd realized that when I was younger. My life as always been far too complicated. I would love to have you visit, though I am afraid that the store seems bigger and better on the blog than in real life.

    Haricot--probably everyone who read this, except me, knows you meant PC. I just had a brain lapse of some sort. It's a commonly used abbreviation here too!

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  12. for the love of a houseDecember 18, 2011 at 12:19 PM

    hi Jen! So nice to meet you, and thank you for leaving your "calling card"! Your header photo is stunning! I love your organized drawer and especially your "field notes" book! What a wondeful place to have a Country Weekends shop!

    Merry Christmas!
    joan

    ReplyDelete

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