11/4/09 – Excited and a little nervous I went to the presentation for the Mill Race Village merchants group.   It was great that Abbie came along to help set up the display and answer some of the questions.   The little New Jersey chocolates were very popular!

11/5/09 - Got approval to have Jersey Made included in the merchants group

11/6/09 – I gave notice at my job where I had for 4 years.   I started working there 1 day a week and was up to 3 days a week doing such a variety of tasks.

11/12/09 – I signed the lease and paid the 1st month’s rent.

11/13/09 – I was fired from my job.   This solidified that I was on the right path in pursuing Jersey Made.   I am very thankful that my other 2 bosses have been incredibly supportive.   Jeff gave me a microwave and some small furniture to use.  He has been quite encouraging.  Anthony has been great.   Always asking how things are going and once again has allowed me to adjust my schedule.   

11/14/09 – Work began to create a store at 33-35 White Street, Mt. Holly, NJ.   Gathering of NJ maps went into full force.   All my friends and family no longer have maps in their cars.   I even convinced my boss, Anthony, to go out and get his map out of the truck.   It was a messy map but definitely one of my favorites.   I started to bring over any items that would fit into my car each time I went to Jersey Made.

11/25/09 – Many friends with large vehicles arrived at my house.   Kelly & Dave arrived 1st and furniture started heading out to their van.   Just when the van was getting full Hope arrived and we started to fill her van up.   Just when we needed help with the big table Abbie & Sean arrived.   My car was filled last.   All 4 vehicles and friends traveled to Jersey Made with a stop at Wawa on the way first – now a tradition LOL!

At 1PM that day the inspector was coming for the Certificate of Occupancy.   I asked Sean and Dave to check the exit signs cause one didn’t look right but they couldn’t fix it.    I called and an MRV guy came over immediately, discovered what was wrong, went and got the part and fixed it.   Just in time for the inspector.   It passed! 

11/27/09 – Black Friday for some but for me it was all green.   Actually it was “Almost Aloe” as I spent the day painting walls at Jersey Made.   Say bye bye to more of the wallpaper!    My sis, brother-in-law and nephew came over to help out.   So much got done that day with their help!   Heidi just kept asking “ok what next?” until we had gotten it all done.  

11/28/09 – Jersey Made was sort of open to support the Creativity for a Cause event in the Mill Race Village.   Thought it was for breast cancer but that was the last cause.   So the chocolate ribbon lollipops didn’t go over as great as was hoped.   The cause was the South Jersey Food Bank this time.    It seemed like no one knew the store was open.    Steve and Tanya brought over an old sandwich board that was covered in mud and leaves.   It was a real mess.   By the end of the day Tanya had transformed this old sign with some paint and it is almost ready to be moved to the sidewalk each day. 

11/29/09 – Mom came to spend the afternoon with me at Jersey Made.   She really liked it and even took a walk over to the Bookery and Spirit of Christmas coming back with a bagful of goodies she had purchased.   That was a big giant walk for her.   I was glad to have her share in my new adventure.

12/2/09 – Official opening day.   I put green Christmas lights around the front of the store so that visitors to the village would know that something was going on at this location. 

So now here we are at 12/5/09 – exactly one month since being approved by the Mill Race Village merchants group.   I think that is a pretty awesome timeline of events.    The store is not 100% ready.  There are more artists to bring in their items, classes to be scheduled, and much more but I think Jersey Made is off to a great start!

Here are just a few cool statistics about Jersey Made….

1.   No furniture or fixtures were purchased in the setup of the store.   All items came from my home, donated by friends, and the counter came with the store. 

2.   All items in Jersey Made will be 100% created by New Jersey artists.

3.  Several classes have already been scheduled.   Jersey Made welcomes Kelly Donovan who will be teaching the Artist Trading Card Club that will meet monthly.  She is super talented and has lots of great ideas.   Wait until you see what she has planned for January Club (3rd Wednesday) just in time for Valentine’s Day.    Look out in 2010 cause Jersey Made will be the place to take some great artistic classes!

4.  The “Cupboard Under the Stairs” is quickly gaining notarity and fame.   Today it got nicknamed the Harry Potty room  LOL!!!   I am still laughing at that one…..

5.  There are already 6 artists on display at Jersey Made.   By the end of this week that will jump to 10.

6.  Already a customer has left the store and found something at home that she thought we could use and came back 2 days later to drop it off.    I had never met the woman before but thought it was so special that she did that.    The large shadow box will be used in the classroom to show off samples of art created at Jersey Made.

7.   Jersey Made is 100% green.   We recycle everything!  

Thanks for reading – hope you liked the timeline!   I thought it was pretty cool!!!