Esta Marchando

My latests adopted Uruguayan phrase which means something like "it's going", as everyone wants to know how it's going and when will I be done.


It seems the paperwork or 'tramitas' with the city and it's agencies are about as difficult as the work I'm doing and will take just as long.


I've nearly finished breaking anything that needs it (somehow I know I'll break something that doesn't) and the plumbing rough-in is just about complete. I will have the plumber back again next week and that should do it until the fixtures go in. Although I expect I'll be doing most of that, you know keeping the costs down and all.

A connection 'box' for two sinks and dishwasher is ready.

A new pipe for the existing w/c connecting to a new one.

Setting the new w/c according to the planned walls.

All that bathroom excavation is now covered and I'll start the walls and new ceiling shortly.


I've met with a few ventilation contractors and will have to choose one soon. As is usual here in Uruguay, the prices vary considerably. We always get a few bids, even with professional services like lawyers and accountants. It's almost always results in savings.


OK, thanks for following. More results of the renovation and a progress report on our licences next time.


Ciao.

Reforma

Here we go again. 


No, these are not recycled photos of the last demolition I did at San Salvador, it just all looks the same.


This concrete header beam (or 'viga' in Spanish) is the only one I'll leave from the middle room which is now completely gone, yeh. Notice the bars buried inside as well as the pebbles of granite that go into the mix. And this is an interior wall support! 


I hope this is last one I have to tangle with. Big thanks to my friend Mono, who put in a couple of days on this hard stuff.

Lots of excavation and exploration going on. 


This is the work to tap the existing bathroom water for a sink in our service area.


Next, digging into the floor to add a W/C.





This hallway was actually the kitchen once upon a time. I've removed the ceiling to make access for storing supplies on top of the adjacent room.

We're leaving that sink, although the pipes need to be changed and we'll use every bit of space above and to the side for cabinets.


I'm a little worried about having enough storage space. Can you tell?

So, another week or so of the rough stuff and then framing and concrete repair. Finishing walls with cement is called 'revoke' here and I love doing it. 


It's weird, but my masonry skills are improving fairly quickly here. Maybe it's some kind of genetic or ancestral knowledge I didn't even know I had. Fuggedaboudit!

Andamos Bien

While I bang away at the walls, Janine and Cecilia are banging away at the administrative tasks. 


Coke vs. Pepsi, Pangiorno vs. Pagnifique, Segafredo vs. Cabrales, just to name a few. There's much to decide and they don't make it easy. Nearly identical competitors will package and price their products in completely different ways making oranges to oranges comparisons quite difficult. No accident I'm sure.

Still, we are making our way. Pepsi never had a chance, we are all Coca Cola loyalists. The other choices are coming into focus with a little closer look.


And of course we are working on perfecting our recipes. Check out this batch of cinnamon buns.

Soon we will be shopping for equipment. That's going to be fun.

Rockin' Blvd. Espana

Coffee Shop has secured a location! 
We've been negotiating this spot for a while and things are set. We don't officially get the place until next week, but have the keys to help get organized.
We're already busy with city hall 'intendencia' for our permits as well as arranging everything for the renovations. Product providers and all the drama that comes with them has begun.

The front doesn't look like much yet, but that's the fun. Those gates can open all the way, which helps a lot.
Signage, an awning perhaps, tables and Voila`, there's a place to get a coffee and something delicious to eat.

It's not super wide and the good light is concentrated at the front, but it's ideal in many important ways. We love our new location; lots of potential customers near by and it's on a major boulevard, so that's a lot of exposure.
We are working the plans now for clearance with the owner as well as permission from the city. That little office sits right in the center of the place. We want to remove as much of it as possible.

 

There's only one bathroom, but it's a doosie.








We think there's enough room to squeeze in the two bathrooms required. I apologize in advance for the tight space, but it's what we have. No room or budget to 'create' another bathroom anywhere else.


We are keeping those groovy tiles, of course.

Plenty to See

We have been doggedly checking under every rock, knowing we'll know when we know. It's probably not going to be a lightening bolt, but we are encouraged by how much we're finding these days.

Most places are off the mark, like this space with the shared patio/entry. It wasn't impossible to imagine working something attractive into this place. It had a patio out back, which was nice, but the bathroom and kitchenette layout was cumbersome. This 'galleria' type entry with no space for tables out front was a deal breaker for us.
I don't know if it's that winter is coming and landlords are getting realistic or what, but we find a few to see every week. We're delighted about that.
It won't be long now.

The Search Continues

We have not given up, not by a long shot.

Jumping back in we are encouraged by what we've found available. Prices are still quite high and that's where they'll stay while demand is high.
One place we thought had potential almost wasn't available for a second look. The realtor said she was expecting a deposit, if not she'd call.

Well, she called and we can have a second look. Ploy? We're not sure, but it's funny how much more viable a spot becomes the minute you learn it's no longer available.
I suppose it only illustrates that places do go quickly, for a variety of business ideas.


We will take a relaxed second look to see if it can work for us.



Another great spot (just not great for us) was a guy running a small restaurant by himself just around the corner from where we used to live. 

The place is very cute and is a pretty good deal. The rent is reasonable, the keys not too expensive (with financing available) and it has everything. It's literally ready to go.



We couldn't believe the guy was setting up, cooking and serving his customers. I think it may have been a small, but loyal clientele.
This location is right in 'gastronomic district' and has two nice coffee spots just blocks away. We have another idea about the right location, but if anyone is looking for a small restaurant to get started on the  cheap, this is it.




The other spot warranted no pictures. It had some interest for us, but was under construction. 
We are passing on that one too. They had described it as the whole corner when in fact another two business share the space and a decidedly less glamorous one occupies the actual corner. I think they divided up a bit too much and they are asking too much for the rent.


Oh well. We will explore the one good one as well as some pricier opportunities to buy out existing, but profitable businesses. Let's hope our reach doesn't exceed our grasp.

Well, that's that

It seems we've done all we can do and our latest location is not to be. We have been serious and courteous about the negotiations, but in the end I can't say it was reciprocated.
It's not clear why this deal has....er, disintegrated, but I guess every side has their reasons. We have spent time and money, but alas if it was easy everybody would be doing it.
We had already been looking at other locations (this thing started to smell some time back) and I am confident something even better will come along.
With winter coming and no project under way our spirits are a bit dampened, but the bright side is that when it's cold and gray, prices fall a little. So that's good.


With the camera on the fritz (read Rocha post), I will have to make do with archive photos.

This is a sort of food court in a Manhattan Marriott Hotel lobby. A lot of kitchen in a small space. Me like.


If you are waiting for a coffee place with just the right atmosphere here in Montevideo, please hang in there. It is coming.


Thanks for reading.