I can’t believe it’s been two months since my last update! I don’t even know how I’d sum up all that has happened other than we are busy & moving forward!

As winter has given way to spring, the space at 607 has slowly transformed before my eyes. While at times the changes have felt slow, we've really come so far in just a matter of months. A business owner told me a few months ago that things would start clicking into place all at once and I feel like we might be entering into that season of Hattie's.

It all begins with an idea.

Today we made some progress on the parking lot, drainage plan, and sidewalk! We also were approved for our inside permit to begin the build out! So exciting you guys! It feels like we are close to so many things clicking together and taking off. I realize there are still setbacks around the corner, but I'm trying to celebrate the wins when they come!

Back in January when I first contacted our town about opening up a coffee shop on Mario's property I thought this would be a simple enough endeavor. Getting Mario's support to use the property, and my husband's support for starting a new business felt like my biggest hurdles, and I jumped over those fairly easily.

Our biggest obstacle now is the parking lot. We have to meet certain requirements for materials, size, and drainage for the parking lot. When we were working back in February on the parking lot plan Mario and I decided that a one way wrap around driveway with parking in the back of the house would be the best. We'd eliminate traffic on Main St. and we'd keep the cars more tucked away from our residential neighbors.

Every single day there’s a new hoop to jump through to get 607 converted to Hattie’s Coffee House. After the special use variance saga (I still need to rewind & tell you that story!) I kinda thought we’d be done with the regulations & hoops but we’re still here. And that’s ok- I like a challenge. And this is proving to be a good one.

Starting Hattie's has been a lot like joining the running community. The support has been incredible! From the help I've received from my new friends at the Boone EDC and Indiana Small Business Development Center when it came to writing my business plan, and developing my financial forecast (huge shout out to Gigi Nicholas at The Gifted Word for her guidance and editing also).

On January 1st a family friend of ours handed me a bag of his coffee beans that he roasts out of his garage at home. "Would you ever roast for me if I opened up a coffee shop?" I knew he wasn't really interested in scaling up his roasting- he's retired and still incredibly busy helping out others, but the question just bubbled up out of me.