|
Hello Friends,
Remember how we said in the last two newsletters that once the ceiling was plastered, we would really get moving on construction? Well it's finally happened, and we are making so much progress! For example, just in the last week we've had teams installing our flooring, painting and putting the glass in our beautiful window walls! Also visible in these newsletter photos: the cafe space's custom-built upper cabinets, assembling the countertops (more on that below), and the first delivery of cafe equipment. Isn't this exciting?!
| What a difference a few weeks makes! Mid-December (above) vs. mid-January (below). | |
A Closer Look at Our Gorgeous Countertops
We are so lucky to 1) have found these beautiful old beams at Longleaf Lumber and 2) to have Sagamore Select's amazing team maximize how incredible they look through their many hours of careful, clever craftsmanship. Can you tell that the photo below shows two beams joined together? (See where and how in the next photo.)
| We love the story behind this upcycled wood! Before becoming our new countertops, this heart pine supported the floor of a Boston brownstone that was built in the early 1900s. | We're also excited to be using this upcycled heart pine in multiple places: the cafe countertops, a standing counter that will look into the cat lounge, the micro-bookstore's checkout desk, and a new hinged top for a repurposed altarpiece that will be in the cat lounge (more details on that unique find later!). | Our nearly completed cafe countertop! Remaining steps: installation in the cafe area, staining and serving our first drinks! | |
Update on How Our Opening Will Work
We have had many, many conversations about how the logistics of opening will happen: will the cafe, bookstore and cat lounge all open at the same time? Are we doing everything we can to make the cats' transition to the space (and then the public) as easy as possible? We have decided a few important things we wanted to share with you.
- We won't have an "official" opening date or grand opening, and instead our opening will happen in phases.
- The cafe and bookstore areas will open before the cat lounge so the cats have extra time to settle in. We are so lucky that our supporters agree with our "cats first" policy and understand the importance of going at the cats' pace!
- We will announce through this newsletter each new phase and when reservations for the cat lounge become available. (And don't forget that with our enormous front window and interior window walls, there will be plenty of cat-watching opportunities the moment cats arrive at 80 Charles—hopefully in 2-3 weeks!)
|  | |
New Partner Corner: Nussli118
If you haven't heard of Nussli118 yet, you've been missing out! They make vegan, gluten free treats with no refined sugars taste like heaven, but also nourishing, and it might involve actual magic? Additionally, if you have people in your life who are "not dessert people" we are here to report we have had a 100% success rate getting our own "not dessert people" to go for seconds of Nussli118!
Please check out our website for our other amazing cafe partners!
| |
Currently Reading: Winter Edition
Glaciers by Alexis M. Smith
An indescribable little book about a single day in a young librarian's life. Easy to devour in one sitting or savor slowly.
| |
The Vaster Wilds by Lauren Groff
A brutal, beautiful survival story set in colonial Virginia. (Is this how we were supposed to feel when we read Hatchet in elementary school?)
| |
Bea Wolf by Zach Weinersmith & Boulet
Fun for everyone, but especially if you're familiar with Beowulf. Under its incredibly silly candy coating are verses surprisingly evocative of the original's rhythm and language.
| |
System Collapse by Martha Wells
We've lost track of how many times we've recommended the incredibly clever, sarcastic and unexpectedly moving Murderbot series to people. This seventh book is a worthy addition.
| |
Of Time and Turtles: Mending the World, Shell by Shattered Shell by Sy Montgomery
We didn't know we needed to read a book about turtles until Sy Montgomery wrote this one. A pretty perfect book about turtles, healing, and slowing down life's hectic pace.
| |  |
|
Now Hiring!
Cat Lounge Manager
This is a full-time, salaried position that will require working weekends. Please read the entire job description and confirm you meet all requirements before submitting an application.
We look forward to hearing from you!
Please do not ask about other positions at this time. In the next few weeks, we will be posting additional positions for the cat lounge, micro-bookstore and cafe.
Applications Due: February 4, 2024, then rolling
Read the full job description
| |
Blanket Testing
(I.e., The Obligatory Kampbell Photo Essay)
While we wait for the space to be finished, we continue to field test various things for the cat lounge. Most recently, we've been testing the coziness and durability of a fleece blanket printed with William Morris's beautiful seaweed design. Coziness will be an essential aspect of the cat lounge and we believe blankets will play a critical role in achieving this coziness.
| Gryffindor was the first to claim this blanket (and also turned a new Christmas-themed tote bag into his personal sleeping bag—he likes to claim things), but Kampbell quickly joined him for pets and cuddles. | Conclusion: Coziness is confirmed, and its favored status among our current blankets should give us valuable information about durability soon. | No cats were harmed or inconvenienced in the taking of these photos, with relaxation and cuddle breaks enthusiastically supported. Their decision to spend many hours on the blanket suggests that Kampbell and Gryffindor had a positive experience. | |
New Website Design!
In another step towards opening, we have a new and improved website! Many thanks to Nahi for their help with website design and our beautiful logo!
See the new website
| |
In Our Next Newsletters
- More about Gryffindor
- New cats!
- More open positions
- Soft opening phases
- First cat lounge reservations
Was this newsletter helpful? Is there something you want to see in the next one?
| |
