Christian and I stopped at the building yesterday on our way to Coles (to get a refrigerator and oven) to take a few more measurements for the cabinets and we noticed... No Door!!! Yay!
I wanted a small double hung window with shutters instead of the ugly 2nd door and so thats what I'm getting! I'm so excited about it! But as usual... "So the picture window lintel is in very bad shape, we will need to replace that." - of course... like mom said the tug boat is the contract and the cruise ship its pulling is the add order. Good thing I planted my money tree last year... ugh....
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Yesterday was the arrival of the dumpster! It looks super fetch in front on Lincoln and I cannot wait to find out how much it costs! But it is very necessary considering there is way too much garbage and they've already started tearing up the facade.
No more ugly siding, just ugly bricks!
The newest addition
They have also been busy framing out the new walls and bringing in the electric. We still need to get ComEd to come in and bump up the service to 400amp service, but its starting to take shape and my mom can finally get a betting vision of what I have been talking about for the past 4 months.
But of course, there has got to be something unexpected, and that would be the rotten bathroom floor. Its getting re-framed so no one ends up in the basement while doing their business, which is a very good thing... but also a bonus expense.
New hole in the floor!
What will the rest of this week bring... probably new surprises, but I'm in a better state of mind and I'm ready for anything (well almost anything)
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I kinda figured this would happen and yesterday, I was proven correct. After going over all the plans with my contractor Paul from Service Construction of Illinois, Inc I left my studio in their hands. Upon my return I saw this:
WHA?!?
Turns out... It would be easier to take down the other walls and rebuild them, than try to add to them. And then theres the toilet room and sink. Something by the sink must have been leaking for a long time because the floor is rotted nearly all the way through to the basement! So theres a large gaping hole in the floor. But no worries... best to get all this taken care of so when customers need to pee they don't fall through the floor, you know?!
I can't wait to go back today and see whats going on and see how much the city is going to charge me for a dumpster!
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Last week, I enlisted the help of my wonderful boyfriend (who is sweet enough to help me with this giant project) and Alex (who really likes tearing shit up) to tear down the bathroom wall. It's not really much of a bathroom... I'd call it a toilet room, since thats all that was in there. We are going to make it bigger to include a sink (what a concept) and maybe a nice plant!
bye bye toilet room wall!
Today I put the building permit! YAY!!!!! (only took 2 months and $1,300)
And tomorrow at 7am the work begins! Cannot wait to see the progression and get this studio boutique up and runnin'!
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To all my blog followers who were sending happy thoughts my way on Thursday... THANK YOU! It worked. The city finally approved the plans for the construction and now I just have to pay a few fees and we can start. (always fees...)
From inside facing Lincoln Ave. (pre-demolition)
From Lincoln Ave. looking in (pre-demolition)
So excited to start the construction and finally get going! I'll be blogging as often as I can, keeping you updated on all the new, fun, and crazy things that happen along the way as we create a studio boutique where Hard Industrial Chicago meets Cozy Alpine Lodge.
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"So how's the studio coming?" I think I get this question 4-20 times a week so I decided to blog about it! So here goes! Back in December I was looking for a store front space in the Lincoln Square area. For those unfamiliar with Chicago... Lincoln Square was primarily a German neighborhood for a long time (40s-60s ish) and then they started to move to other areas and to the suburbs. It went through a rough patch, but its back and booming! There is still large amount of German culture in the neighborhood including another dirndl store, the Chicago Brauhaus and an Apotheke. Lincoln Square's neighbor, North Center, has the largest concentration of German restaurants in the city!
Anyway... we found something! And here it is! Ain't she a beauty?!
Front of 5051 N. Lincoln as of right now
So it needs a lot of work. That was the only way we could afford it. My goal was to have the store front open and ready by June 1st to coincide with the Maifest in Lincoln Square (an outdoor, 3 day German fest about 7-10 min walking distance from the store). However... everyday June 1st gets closer and no work is getting done.
"Damn you City of ?#@$#!"
The city denied our request for a building permit because the bathroom was not big enough for a wheelchair, the entrance vestibule was not big enough for a wheelchair and there was no drinking fountain. So we redid the plans, no more vestibule, larger bathroom and... wait WHAT?! a drinking fountain?! with a 5ft radius around it for a wheel chair?! This is a by appointment only dirndl boutique and studio... really?!?! - yes... I'm looking into a water cooler, but this is the kind of ridiculousness that I'm trying to not let make me crazy.
Where shall we put the bubbler?!
So the appointment is for Thursday and if we don't get a building permit, the construction cannot start on Monday and my goal of being open for Maifest is going out the window. I've already given up on the front facade... that definitely won't be finished. But positive thoughts people! It'll be fine! right?...
What the front will look like at the end of the summer! yay!
3 new walls need to go up, 2 with electric, new ceiling with electric and leveling the floors... then we come in and do the finishing! Until then, we are working on the demolition... taking our anger at the city and focussing it on the ceiling and walls!
Taking down the 100+ year old ceiling!
So to answer everyones question... "So how's the studio coming?" well right now, its not. I mean... I guess it is. We are slowly tearing apart stuff thats been there since 1908, learning that spiderwebs can also become dusty and my boogers get black real fast even with the mask on! But it is not moving at the speed that I had it all planned out in my head 4 months ago.
Send your Happy thoughts my way on Thursday! Thanks!!
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Every week June 1st approaches faster and faster. As of right now, the studio... still need a lot of work. Since the facade needs to be remodeled, some walls need to be moved, the ol' city of Chicago wants a little piece of my hard earned money. Waiting on the permit means I've got time to sew like a crazy person and thats exactly what I'm doing. The $199 One-of-a-kind Sale has suddenly exploded! With 6 orders to start, and 2 to finish (not to mention trying to start production on a 35 piece new collection) I'm a little relieved that I can't work on the studio.
Joan's New Dirndl
Although I've got lots of orders to fill... there is still so much fabric left! Where did I get all of it!? I'm impressed my grandma was able to fold everything so nicely that it all fit in my moms china cabinet! Anyway... The sale will continue until March 31st and then thats it. By then it'll be painting, laying flooring and sweating for me!
Take advantage of this opportunity because I don't plan on ever accumulating this kind of random fabric inventory again. (I've gotten better and avoiding the remnant section of Vogue)
Katrina's New Dirndl
This has been really fun (quite exhausting) yet, very rewarding. Heres how it works, you send me an e-mail (erika@erikaneumayer.com) with your size and your top 3 color choices. (They don't need to go together, but just 3 colors that you love and you know look great on you!) Then I send you some swatches and if you like them, I make it for you for $199. I'm ONLY using inventory fabrics and trims, but there are plenty to choose from! From 1960s vintage and traditional cottons to modern graphic prints and thai silks! You'll be trusting me (erika) to make you something fabulous from just a swatch, but if you like the Rare collections, you'll love your custom piece!
Kathleen's New Dirndl
All of the $199 Custom pieces will be made with the basic neckline and the length will be 20-25 inches from the waist to the hem. The apron is included and will be made to match the dirndl seamlessly! The blouse is not included but can be added separately.
The Size Chart is easy to follow and is accessible 24 hours a day on the website. Click Here to get to the Size Chart.
Please allow 2-4 weeks for delivery. Shipping and tax are not included.
Megan's New Dirndl
It feels really great to receive e-mails saying "just do whatever, I trust you" and "I'm sure it'll be great no matter what you choose". I'm so happy that I truly have fans of my work and that I am trusted. But thats enough... I've got sewing to do!
sneak peek at the studio space... lots left to do (including moving the sink in the bathroom :)
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