Mom buys a Coffeehouse!

My story about getting into the coffeehouse business is one of a leap of faith. After 42 years as a nurse I was looking for someway to retire. I needed health insurance so was continuing to work at a career that had become a job. The many many changes in the healthcare field had made it difficult to practice nursing as I wished. Gone were the days when you could take time to get to know your patients. (Now referred to as clients). More and more tasks were heaped on us with little time left for the people who came for our help. Resentment and powerlessness became constant companions as we tried to do the best we could for our patients and still meet the standards set for us by the healthcare industry today.
K came home one day and said, " I think we should buy a coffeehouse". I thought it was one of her usual ideas that come and go. I dismissed the idea and went about my life, commuting to work an hour and 15 minutes each way, and filling the gas tank everyother day! It struck me on one of these trips--if the bank will give us the money, and I retire and only take out money for health insurance why not?
So began the journey. After visiting three banks/credit unions we were encouraged by the local bank in town. The business already had an established clientele and was making money. The building which was erected in 1855 had been completely remodeled. We were referred to a great guy by the president of the bank to help us through the process of projections etc. (Like I knew what that was or how to go about it). At any rate Jack was a God send and probably the reason that we got the coffeehouse.
I retired the begining of May and from there spent most of my time doing leg work and paper work to buy the coffeehouse. Business plans etc. Thank God for the internet and the bookstore and library for reference material.
We closed on June 2. Wow--they actually thought we were good risks! What had we done? I had no clue how to run a business, no retail experience, knew nothing about specialty coffee drinks, or ever used a cash register! What was I thinking!
When we bought the business we let one employee go because of that person's longevity and hourly wage. (Little did we know that she literally ran the business and the owners were unable to help us with alot of the day to day things.) It has been a HUGE learning curve for me. The first weekend, of the three of us (owners), I was the only one there. I had to work the cash register...bless the customers. I told them I was new and to please go slow. They did. Who knew what "dry" was, "no whip", "depth charges" etc. In hindsight if I had learned to make all the coffee drinks (espresso and cappacino etc.) it would have made it much easier.
About two days later I hit the wall and was ready to give it back! A big hug and a bottle of wine and I was ready to go back and try again.
The best thing about the whole experience are the wonderful people who come in and buy coffee etc. from us. They are encouraging and nourishing.
I love the town that we are located in. It is along the Mississippi River. It cherishes its heritage and maintains its buildings instead of destroying them and building new. Beautiful baskets hang on the street signs, the parks are beautiful and maintained wonderfully. I sit some days with a cup of coffee in our courtyard and listen to the church bells playing, and thank God for leading me here to this place. Although it has been difficult and there is much more to learn and do I feel very blessed. Mom (L)