Tuesday, April 2, 2013

An April Fool

It is no secret that I have not been happy with my job for a long time!!!  There was a time I loved it.  Not anymore.  I have spent months considering my options.  After a conversation with my doctor where she reminded me this is my one chance of life on Earth.  I need to find some joy.  I decided to make some changes.  BIG changes.  Yesterday I officially gave notice to retire from my super stable company that gives amazing raises and bonuses.  Crazy right?  My last day of work is June 7th.  Done. No going back.
Now this would not be a big deal if I had worked at the company for many years.  I have not.  So I get a teeny tiny pension that may not even pay for my health insurance.  Yet, I still think it is the right thing to do.
Now I am not a risk taker.  At all.  Do not do roller coasters.  Do not jump off cliffs into rivers.  Could not get in the car and drive without having a destination.  I am a planner.  A list maker.  I do not take risks with money.  Until now.......
I am super close, about to pull the trigger, to signing a lease on a building in my little town.  My little town that many people feel is in big trouble right now.  I believe in my town.  I want to be a part of it.  I want people to walk down the main streets and have places to walk in and browse.  So, I am super close, one phone call away, from starting a candy store.  Not just candy.  Some coffee, pop, popcorn.  Build up to maybe having ice cream.  A place people can walk to with their kids.  A place children can ride their bikes to and get candy. 
I have been doing quite a bit of research.  I have a phone call to make tomorrow to make sure I do not have to do special kitchen type things.  I need to pick the name, complete some paperwork.  It will then be real.
The name is an issue.  It cannot be a name registered already in State of Illinois.  Here are a couple I am looking at:

The Candy Jar - the only issue I have with this is there is more than candy
The Sweet Shop - really like it.  Tru Stories does not like the word sweet.
New name just made the short list - Sweet Somethings

It has to be a short name.  "The" should be in front of it.  People here like to put the word "The" in front of businesses. 

So there it is.  Life changing events happening here at The Page Turner home.  Feel free to jump in on the name game.  Just remember the rules for a name.

Signed, The Page Turner, aka Risk Taker, Wild Woman

16 comments:

North of 10th said...

The Sugar Shack or The Candy Button

Anonymous said...

Thanks Easy Rider. Especially thanks for the tears when I told you. I'm saying they were tears of joy for this great change in my life.
I will also accept tears because you will miss me so much.
Page Turner

The Mrs. said...

YESSSSS!!!!!

I am SO excited for you! I have some seriously fond memories of candy shopping at The Dime Store as a kid, and it made me sad knowing future generations wouldn't have the same opportunity when they closed. Page Turner to the rescue, creating the perfect setting for lifelong memories for the kids in town!

How fantastically brave of you for taking this leap. I wish you nothing but success and can guarantee we will be stopping in whenever we're in town!

(PS - My name submission: The Sweet Retreat. I'm not good at this sort of thing, and it's kinda corny but it just came to me in a flash.)

Anonymous said...

That is genius Mrs.
The Sweet Retreat, I like it. Thanks for your excitement. I needed it.

Tru Stories said...

I opened a yoga studio in a community of less than 5,000 people.. and it's gone great!!

Opening this business is not a risk... continuing to live unhappy, without taking chances, surrounded by sadness.. THAT would be the risk.

A risk to your health and your Grammyness.

I love The Candy Jar.
But I'm still thinking.

Cathy said...

Congratulations on your big step! I need this kind of bravery for change. I think this will be great and a success. Like Mrs, I loved riding my bike to The Dime Store and buying a pile of candy. Here are my name submissions,
The Sweet Stop
The Sugar Shack
The Wahl of Candy
I also like Mrs's name.
Good luck!

Arizona said...

i am so excited for you! i LOVED going downtown to the candy stores. i cannot wait to bring in the boys .

Tru Stories said...

I dislike anything with Sweet, I think she needs to separate herself from nearby shops.

Here are ideas from things we liked, or she likes (from songs/books/the kids)

Buttercups
Bicycle Built for Two
Carriage House
Coco's
Grammy's
Scout's
Boo Radley's (good person who's been trapped inside himself)
Cricket's (quick as...)
Goose Berries
TKB's
Gum Ballz to the Wahl (super funny)

still thinking...

Anonymous said...

Nothing Wahl. Hard to get support from Hubby if I do not use my name.
I love Coco's but Tink would not be happy.
Too deep TS. Really, with the Boo Radley's?
PT
Shopkeeper

Arizona said...

bicycle built for 2: could do so many cute decorating ideas.
Grammy's is cute, comforting
Cricket's- love the symobolism
Goose Berries- though can't imagine that being a coffee shop eventually.

Tru Stories said...

Tink gets things named after her all the time... Coco never gets her own thing.

Love Cricket's.
Love Goose Berries (which is the creek she grew up on)

Pop a Squat

Anonymous said...

After spending my lunch checking names available, Cricket's or Cricket's Place is looking good. I picture decals of Crickets hidden around the shop. Kids looking for them.
What do you think???
Page Turner or Shop Keeper

Liz said...

I'm loving the "livin' on the edge of your seat" PT! So happy for you!

The Mrs. said...

Crickets (the insect, not the name) give me the heebie jeebies!

Anonymous said...

But, if it were the name, it would not stop you from entering the store would it?
PT

The Mrs. said...

My love for candy outweighs my hatred for crickets so no worries about a name keeping me away.