and Cooking Finery
Since 1971
Sudbury,
Massachusetts
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QuackQuackQuack.com News
December 15, 1999
"Soft" Opening NOT Happening.... ugh
Well, here it is mid-December, and you have probably figured out that our planned "soft" opening is not happening. Due to a number of reasons, The Duck is NOT 1999 ready to rock and roll…but we are certain that we are Y2K compliant.
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MORE BANNERS UP! We're looking forward to Y2K and being open as soon as possible in the new millennium. See you then! |
Construction projects being construction projects (read: "the ankle bone's connected to the leg bone, the leg bone's connected…) one thing can easily lead to another in a non-constructive way. If one piece of the project falls behind or is postponed, it is typically guaranteed that those behind it will be effected. That is what we have been going through lately. It is frustrating. It is mentally tiring. There are times when I am prone to screaming or thrashing about…but alas it only takes more energy to do that. It is best to stay focused and work on what we have control over. Yep, easier said than done!
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FIRST LOOK INSIDE ! Yep, that's shelving going in. We're working as hard as we can to be ready as soon as the construction earns approval from the building inspector. |
We are moving forward, and are now realistically embracing a mid- to late-January opening. All the stars are lining up that way, and with the holidays upon us, this makes the best sense so late in the game.
It really does hurt to miss the first Christmas season in 28 years…we are basically running amok without it. We are not used to this idleness, not used to NOT having our friends, neighbors and customers traipsing in and out of the Duck all day long…not used to missing the cash flow, also. Gotta be honest about that, don't we? Fortunately we have been quite busy with our usual corporate gift orders, and the phenomenal traffic through our Online CoffeeHouse, and that has kept us going. It is really good to have that outpouring, and we are flattered by those of you who, even in our skeletal countenance, insist of giving of the Duck during the holidays. And by the way, we do have our Duck Soup Gift Certificates…always a fine way to fly for members of your flock.
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THAT'S US -- third gable over from the west end of the project. Ahh, it's getting so close we can taste it! |
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A VIEW FROM
THE SOUTH -- looking uphill from |
You know, it would be easy to moan and gripe about all that we are not doing this year, especially since we have dramatically missed our planned opening. That would be far too easy. Instead, I would like to reflect on what I am thankful for during this time of year…and it is really about all that we have received from YOU during the entire year:
We Ducks, quacked as we can be, are thankful for:
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All of our "custys" who have stood by us in the nearly 12 months since the little Mill Village campfire
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The outpouring of community love and support
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The "cookie lady" who dropped by frequently to make sure we were taken care of
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The positive press coverage garnered upon us, including the wonderful Inc. article, helping us to tell our "story" and to stay in touch with all of you
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The acceptance and traffic through our Online CoffeeHouse
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All of the townspeople and town boards who supported our efforts to be open in time for the holidays
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Knowing that you have not forgotten us through all of this.
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Very simply, we give thanks for our patient and loyal supporters, for which we stay the course and continue to man the helm (watch me go!) as we wrestle this tempest. It is heartwarming to know that our community of friends and supporters will never let us down…and are willing to brave the inconvenient elements with us. If not for you, we may have chosen to go down a different road.
So I, as the Head Duck, have a lot to be thankful for…and that helps mitigate the frustration and pain. I know that I can weather the storm. During Christmas week, as we struggle with the build out, I will ponder and miss all of our faithful, and the rush and challenge the season "normally" brings us. Christmas is truly the day when we all can be "at peace" and on that day I will join you in such.
With that, I wish all of you a most wonderful, albeit Duck-free, holiday season. I encourage you to stop by to say hello, and the coffee is generally ready to pour! I look forward to seeing all of you in January…
And yes, we are still Duck Hunting! We have hired a nice herd (maybe that is a flock or gaggle) of part timers to staff our roost…and have room for one or two full timers to round out the team. Let us know if you or someone you know is interested. Call us at 443-DUCK.
The best of the season to you all.
I look forward to seeing you in the new Duck Soup very soon.
Be well,
Richard