June 1st is here but we ain't open :-(

Meet REX!  This is our new espresso machine that you will soon meet in person when you visit Third Perk!  We will make your delicious espresso based drinks: lattes, cappuccinos and mochas.  Are you excited?  I am.  I would like to first say thank you for following us this far.  It has been quite a journey thus far.  We have dreamed, planned, executed our plans for opening a coffeehouse here in Dayton, Ohio, but we have yet to open our doors.  Yes June is here and we have not taken the paper off the windows.  It is June and we have invited you to come visit.

We are trying our best to serve you soon.  If it were up to me I would be serving you right now.  There are so many reasons why we have yet to open: design decisions, construction, waiting for materials, waiting on inspections.  WAITING!  UGH!

So close yet so very far away.  I need to be in the space, doors open, coffee flowing and cash register ringing.

I keep hearing James Cleveland sing "I dont feel know ways tired".  I've come to far from where I started from.........  Nobody told me the road would be easy............  I don't believe He brought me this far, to leave me.   So while I wait,  I do what I can do to make sure we are ready for you.  We started training anyway!  Dust in all we were learning how to brew the best drinks and making you smile.  The team I have assembled are amazing!

We have a commercial!

https://youtu.be/cpXQPl4Ml0E

You must view it!  I am proud of the production and we have so much more for you.  I continue to know that God is holding down.  That He is guiding me through.  That He is lighting the path.  I am going to be JUST fine.  Its not perfect but it is what I have been dealt, and really I would not have it any other way.

This journey has been a long time coming but I am learning that it is really just beginning.  I look forward to sharing more with you.  I cannot wait to serve you soon at Third Perk Coffeehouse & Wine Bar.

Re-Birth! Transforming the space.........

Well Guys here we go.  The construction process begins!  What has been torn down is being built back up!  Amazing to watch this process.  Right here is where our menu board will be!  Just imagine all the great drinks that will be posted here, and the soup of the day.  Can't you just smelling it cooking.  Never mind those lights they are going away.  They don't seem to fit in the new color scheme!

So down went the bathrooms on the other side of the cafe.  And up goes the walls of the new his and hers bathrooms.  Picture your self in this soon to be lounge area.

So this space here is right next to the kitchen.  This space will be where small groups can meet.  We are planning to have a large meeting table.  Book Clubs, Writing Circles, Prayer Groups or just people wanting to gather are welcome to come here, work chill and study.  And yes we will reserve this area for you.

Progress folks!

Just this morning I learned that the Health Department has approved the plans I submitted.  I cannot believe that they were approved so fast.  I just submitted the package on Tuesday!  I do believe it has everything to do with involving them in the project from the very beginning.  The inspector was familiar with all aspects of the design.  Having her guidance, I believe helped me submit a comprehensive package with everything needed in order to move forward smoothly.  I am so excited folks.

And for you wines lovers, yes that is going well also.  I was told by the State of Ohio to call them 2 weeks before we plan to open to have them schedule their final walk through.  Could we open a whole month early?  I will keep you all posted on our progress over the next few weeks.

This journey folks is almost complete, thank you all for following the path!

And the walls come tumbling down!

So no turning back now guys (not like turning back at this point is even an option).  Demolition has begun at Third Perk!  It is very exciting and scary at the same time.  Of all the work that has gone into bringing this concept to reality there is just a long list that needs to be completed before we can serve that first cup of coffee.  We are less than 90 days away for our opening, but in terms of what needs to take place I feel like the work is never ending.  But guess what?  I AM UP FOR THE CHALLENGE!

Yesterday I had a few meetings set up in the space.  When I walked through the door this is what I was confronted with:

Are those walls coming down.  YES IT IS!!!!  Isn't it awesome!  The real work has begun and before you know it we will have you here sipping on your new favorite brews!  Third Perk Coffeehouse is well on the way guys.  I hope that you enjoy the visuals.

Yeah demolition is messy.  But you will not ever know that this happened in a few months!  Now I have talked about how the owners of the building are creating new bathrooms for the space.  Well when they began to take down the existing bathroom there was treasures in the loft above the existing bathroom.  I don't know how it held so much:

 Those tables were stored above the bath room.  Now don't be surprised if you see them resurface at Third Perk.  Recycle-Reuse-Reduce.  Go Green!

Now once upon a time there was a stage here:

Not anymore!  You are looking at the future new bathrooms.  Take a close look guys this space is going to be so cool.  I really cannot believe that this is all falling into place.  The count down is on.

Morning Edition

Friday morning came with a great surprise.  My Realtor/Friend Kelly emailed me a link for the Dayton Business Journal's morning edition which included an article about Third Perk Coffeehouse and Wine Bar.  WOW!  I was so enthused.  It gave details of what I am proposing to do and the journey behind the plan.

I have journeyed so far yet my journey's road has many miles ahead.  I remain prayerful!  I stay the course that has been set for this business.  I will continue to count every blessing sent, every well wish; and every positive news article written.  This project is coming together and I am so very thankful for ALL!

Please take time out to read the article written by Olivia Barrow of the Dayton Business Journal:

http://www.bizjournals.com/dayton/news/2015/01/15/new-wine-and-coffee-shop-to-open-in-downtown.html?ana=e_day_rdup&s=newsletter&ed=2015-01-16&u=wQKD87KsaeLUgHws2/0gk/jf7x&t=1421602733
      
Please remember to become a follower of our blog!  And leave comments we want to know what you think.  Juanita-Michelle

BAR TAKEOVER!!! Day Party

3rd Perk @ 46 West Fifth!

I know it has been a while since I have made a post.  It is not that there wasn't anything to talk about, but I have been swamped trying to make the Third Perk vision become a reality.  On January 2 we took another step at making that happen.  We have signed a lease and have officially started the countdown to our opening the doors to you!  Can't you smell the coffee brewing?  Warm pastries?  It makes my mouth water just thinking about it.

So many of you have followed us over the past months and have asked are you open?  Where are you located?  Well I have found a great place at 46 West Fifth Street in beautiful downtown Dayton.  The cafe is in a historic building.  The owners of the building are awesome and have amazing talent.  Only God could have placed me in such a location.

Before we open there is still so much work to do.  We need to expand our team so we will begin to accept applications at the beginning of February.  You can request an application by emailing us at thirdperk@outlook.com we need baristas, cooks and management staff.  We are looking for persons with a heart to serve others who are also honest and dependable.  We all know that good help is hard to find and we need the best to serve you!

Although the space at 46 West Fifth Street is very nice, we are converting the space and making it our own.  The interior will be sophisticated and will draw you in, making Third Perk your new gathering place.  There are some changes that will also happen to the exterior including creating an outdoor space for you to enjoy the warm summer months with a new awning to shade you from the sun.

I cannot wait to see you there.  Please make sure that you continue to follow our blog,From Beans to Cup and make sure that you visit our Facebook page and LIKE Third Perk Coffeehouse and Wine Bar.

So tell me what do you expect when you visit us at Third Perk?  Tell me all about it....

A Taste of What's to Come........

Training, training and more training.  Time to put the training to the test!  June 28 we invited a selected group of future customers to our home to taste coffee, tea and items that will be included on our breakfast and lunch menu.  I wanted to have a better picture of what a real day in the life would actually look like.  Without a doubt I have a better understanding of what it means to operate a cafe.

 My children were such a great help for this event.  Christopher made the frozen drink pictured above.  He dazzled the guest with his barista skills.  He operated as if he had years of experience.  Kayland was a great manager, she wore many hats.  She welcomed guest, took orders, served graciously, took payments using our POS system.  Kendell was a customer service guru, he was there with his warm smile making the guest feel at home!  He took orders, helped out in the kitchen, bused tables and made sure that at the end of the day the kitchen was clean and in order.  I know that I cannot do this project without my children.  I look forward to their active participation in this project.

 Above and below are pictures of our sweet treats.  Everyone enjoyed the variety.  This was a great introduction to many who have never attended any of my events or tried any of my foods.  This really was a great teaser to those of what is yet to come in our coffeehouse/wine bar.

 Soups and sandwiches were a great hit.  I understand just how important preparation is to my entire operation.  Success is not by accident.  I know that we have to be very strategic in order to serve guest on time with the best product possible.  Fresh made soups, sandwiches and salads.  We will keep it simple and win!

 The chicken tortilla soup was a true home run.  YUMMY!!!!!!!!  This soup is going to be hands down one of our best sellers.  It is full of flavor with a subtle spicy kick.  This soup comes with avocado and lime garnish with a side of chips.  It is more like a full meal.

Look at my beautiful Flower!  She is a real natural.  She took control of the kitchen.  She developed a system and scolded me a little for almost messing it up.  

 Tiffany is my number one taste tester.  She never lies.  She is always honest with me about what I serve.  I appreciate her.  Tiffany also help serve today.  She did not know that she was in competition with Kayland to see who collected the most at the end of the event!  Kayland won!  Little does Kayland know that next time competitive Tiff will show up.

 The steam rising off the tomato bisque soup.  I love to cook!  I was in a serious mode here.  I did not have any room for errors.

 Look at the team with their JM Affair's t-shirts.  JM Affair's is an event planning service that I started in 2007.  Over the years JM Affairs has planned vineyard tours, jazz shows and catered many events.  JM Affairs is the sponsor of the Third Perk events.  I like to welcome Courtney to our team.  Also in this picture is my bestie Naomi.  She is the such a great asset.  Thanks Omi for being there for me.

 Robert Sanae A.K.A my husband also got into the spirit of the day.

 Time to pucker up!!!  Jaiden KeAna "Keke" stopped by to wish me, her "G" well.

 Our guest really enjoyed the afternoon.

 The conversations went on and on.  The atmosphere was set for enjoyment.

 Life long friend Shereece is a constant supporter of all my endeavors.  She and her mom, Vicki A.K.A Stand-In-Mom enjoyed the afternoon and are looking forward to the opening of the actual cafe!

 Family and friends are undoubtedly on my side in this venture.  I don't know what I would do without their support.  I could say thank you everyday and still it would not be enough.  So I say it again, Thank you all!

 Yep we are still together!  The Golden Girls, together forever!

Last but not least.  One of my MVP's has moved away and leaves a void in my team.  I wish you well Christopher but you will be missed!  Never to late to change your mind ;-)