I’m delighted that Cassie and I resolved the contractor issue. Hiring both of them was the right thing to do.
I will focus on the second floor renovations — the enhancements and additions, of course. Those require vision, and I’m not sure my illustrious business partner has that in her.
A dining room, outdoor deck seating, a small bar, a private room for parties and meetings, a business office, indoor stairway renovation, outdoor stairway addition … so much to think about! And, of course, the thing that will keep people coming in – a dumbwaiter linking the second floor with the kitchen. I’m envisioning a glass-encased chute from floor through the ceiling of the bar on up to the even more exclusive seating in our second floor.
I will work with Winters regarding final design decisions and plans. I feel certain I can get him to see it my way.
Cassie will focus on the first floor … updated main entrance doors will continue to provide access to the bar and dining room directly from street level. We’ll have rear access to the bar and dining room via the outdoor patio seating area, sliding doors linking the dining room to the outdoor patio seating and rear access, upgrading of the main bar, plus renovated and expanded kitchen facilities with access to the dumbwaiter so as to serve the second floor. A glass side, if possible, would allow bar patrons to watch the movements of the dumbwaiter. Perhaps we’ll also consider, rather than large dining room windows, large movable overhead windows that can be raised or lowered to control the circulation of fresh air when riverbank temperatures permit.
The first-floor renovation will include taking over the unused space adjacent to the bar to create a bookstore. A beautiful bookstore — Riverside Books! The bookstore will have direct indoor access to the Riverside dining room and bar areas, as well as its own outdoor entrances in the front and rear of the new shop.
The bookstore will be Cassie’s baby, totally, but it’ll be Jill’s intellect that runs that train.
She’s still at work, so I have the house to myself. I freshen my gin and tonic. It occurs to me I should water the plants. Wanda, the greenest thumb I know, tells me I should talk to them, so here it goes:
“I can’t say I’m not nervous about Cassie spending our money for the construction, dear ficus,” I tell it, spraying the leaves generously. “After all, she has no experience in property management or renovation. I’ll just have to be there, to be sure, and be as present as humanly possible, whether Cassie likes it or not.”
I move to the benji plant with its Christmas lights perfectly strung and take aim,
“Cassie seemed to hit it off well enough with Burton,” I say, pulling down the dead parts. “As agreed, I’ll leave most first floor design decisions to them and my subsequent review. I’m sure Cassie will involve Jill in the design and creation of the new bookstore. Jill will be instrumental in this effort — I have come to know her to be book-wise, well-read, and, frankly, smart as a whip.”
I move toward the herbs sitting just outside the kitchen – basil, rosemary, arugula.
“I believe that this approach, engaging both contractors, for which I am primarily responsible, is justified and will work out well,” I tell the herbs. (Am I stating a fact or trying to convince myself?)
I continue. “I know that Cassie will be living and breathing the bar for the foreseeable future, making do while the renovations are going on around us. I don’t think that’s too much to ask, though. I mean, this is happening because of my money. I am glad to be investing it in the Riverside, but running it is Cassie’s primary job, both before and during construction. It’s not something I’m going to lose sleep over. Not even a little bit.”
I return to the chaise lounge and sip deeply.
“If she knew the blood, sweat, and tears I put into keeping Daddy’s Golden Pillar afloat … well, she doesn’t, and it’s fine that she doesn’t,” I tell the ficus. “But retail is no joke, and the restaurant business is even tougher.”
I realize I can help, but only to a point. I think she may be in for a rude awakening.
What she needs is a Miller … her very own Miller. I wonder if he can suggest experienced help. Maybe he knows someone.
Jenny Page