Welcome to the brand-spanking-new Calico Gals’ blog, aka Gabby Gals. This is the place where we talk about everything that is going on – in and out of the barn.
We’re moving!
That’s right – this is THE big news that I mentioned in the E-newsletter. It’s really happening, the gals are moving to a new location later this fall. Because we have such a beautiful store now, we had a very specific list of items on our wish list for a new store. And I am pleased to say that the new store covers all!
- First of all: Stairs. No More! Not even a step at the door.
- Next: Parking. Space for everyone!
- Next: Lighting. Beautiful windows and lights on switches. Our new store will NOT be strung together with extension cords.
- Next: Comfort. Can you say “Radiant Floor Heating?” Mmmm. Ohhh. Ahhh.
All this and much more is going to be ours because we are getting a brand new barn! Let’s look at a few photos as I tell you all about it…
Front of the New Barn
This photo shows the front view from the street. The owner/builder/landlord is Bob Pomfrey, owner of Pomco Insurance. He’s building this barn as a storage facility for himself and planned to lease the front half. Enter Calico Gals! Now Bob is all on board for putting a quilt shop in the space. He wants to build the best quilt shop ever!
So where is this new place? 3906 New Court Ave. Technically in the town of Dewitt, just over the Town of Salina line and what most would refer to as the Eastwood section of Syracuse. Not far from the Carrier Circle Thruway exit. Not far from the former Syracuse China.
Along the side of new barn
This photo is taken from what will be part of the parking lot, looking forward towards the street. Our half of the barn starts about in the middle and includes the plywood covered door. Next to it will be an overhead door for deliveries. Yippee! Looking farther towards the front you can see another door which someday will have an awning over it. Use your imagination! Isn’t it cute?
No, the barn will not be green. The outside is planned to be a mix of stone and clapboard, earth colors of beige and browns. Again – use your imagination!
Now lets go inside that door with the cute little awning overhead…
Inside looking toward front
Wow, those windows again, looking out this time.
Rafters New Barn
When you look up in a barn, what do you see? Rafters, of course. The ceiling is high and unfinished at the moment. The plans include finishing the ceiling and suspending lights. I have been looking at catalogs and samples of everything from lights to carpet. There are just so many choices! My goal is to take that “barn feeling” into the new place. Well – we might leave a few things (like cobwebs) behind in the old barn. We are confident that the coziness will come with us.
Speaking of cozy – take a look at this:
Inside the new floor
This is what the floor looked like with all of the heating stuff laid out. Kind of reminds me of cross-hatching on a quilt! I have not experienced radiant floor heating, but everyone tells us that we will love it. The cement has been poured over the top of this grid and now the contractors are working on the walls.
The architect, Bob Abbott, is so talented! And he has so many great ideas. One day he came out and toured the old barn to get a feel for what we have and what we do. One of his first thoughts was that the new barn space would not be big enough for all of our stuff! So he went back to the drawing board and took advantage of that high ceiling by designing a mezzanine for our offices and storage. The main retail and classroom space will all be on the main floor, but a look up will feature a beautiful open loft space. Can’t you just see it?
Here is a sneak peak of the loft.
The beginnings of a loft
There is so much more to tell you. One goal of this blog is to take all of us together on the journey to the new store. I hope to post lots of pictures so you can see it happen.
Janet – Calico Gals store owner, gabby gal, newsletter editor, occasional piecer
August 13th, 2009, at 11:33 am
Janet,
Congratulations! Can’t wait for the new shop to open.
August 13th, 2009, at 3:46 pm
Thanks for sharing the pictures – it makes it exciting to be a part of it all!
August 14th, 2009, at 8:44 pm
And no more friendly little bugs, well maybe one or two, just so it feels a bit like 7070.
August 14th, 2009, at 9:42 pm
Janet, it’s great! And such nice big windows! Can’t wait to see the progress. Congratulations and thanks for sharing the pictures!
August 15th, 2009, at 8:33 am
Janet…what a wonderful surprise..the pictures look great….can’ wait to see the finished product…I know with all your creativity, this new venture will be fantastic…
August 15th, 2009, at 8:54 am
This is very exciting! Congratulations! I might miss the stairs though. Guess I’ll have to get my exercise lifting bolts off the shelves.
August 15th, 2009, at 9:02 am
Looks great! can’t wait to see the progress. Count me as a regular!
August 15th, 2009, at 10:21 am
Dang it Janet…. I cannot wait! And right in my backyard. Is it possible that you’d see me more often now? Tell us about the classroom space.
August 15th, 2009, at 10:56 am
Hi Janet…this is awesome!!! I can’t wait to visit the new “barn”. It’s even closer for those of us coming from Rochester!!!
August 15th, 2009, at 12:32 pm
Congratulations!
a) Business must be BOOMING to afford such new digs.
b) Just wait until you experience the radiant heating: ahhhh…
c) First floor classroom and big parking lot: Rah!!
d) Much closer to home for The Management.
BUT
e) I’m sad, because I can’t just zip by the Canal Barn on my way home from work anymore.
Oh well, one can’t have everything, can one?
Looking forward to seeing the ol’ girlfriends in the new digs.
August 15th, 2009, at 1:52 pm
Amazing and wonderful!
August 15th, 2009, at 3:54 pm
Close to home can’t wait!
August 15th, 2009, at 4:28 pm
Janet,
I heard the BIG NEWS today while taking the French Braid class and am thrilled. I will have to drive a few minutes more but oh well! It sounds like it will be well worth it. I can’t wait to see the new digs.
August 15th, 2009, at 6:23 pm
This is very cool!!! Be sure to keep us up to date with the dates and I’m sure there will be parties!!
Best wishes for a speedy, smooth, and terrific move!
August 15th, 2009, at 8:02 pm
How beautiful….and you get to do it from the ground up. Can not wait for the Grand Opening!!!
August 15th, 2009, at 8:24 pm
Janet, congratulations on the new shop and the blog – I love blogs. It will be fun to explore the new Calico Gals.
August 16th, 2009, at 1:29 am
how nice… since they wouldn’t bring a bus line closer to the barn, you brought the barn closer to a bus line! those of us who are “driving impaired” can certainly now stop by more often. i know my chauffer, um, i mean husband, will appreciate that… or maybe he won’t, as i’d be left there unsupervised. LOL! can’t wait to see it all!
August 16th, 2009, at 10:35 am
You all work so hard and have definitely made your mark in the quilting world. I don’t know who deserves new digs more than you. Congratulations and good luck. Hope the transition is a smooth one!
August 16th, 2009, at 7:16 pm
Love the Blog. What fun to see all the picures of the new barn. It will be nice to watch the progress all the way through, until it becomes my new home- away- from home!
August 17th, 2009, at 9:30 am
Congratulations! Love the blog and the new store! Can’t wait for the opening!
August 17th, 2009, at 2:02 pm
HI
Just got back from Marblehead and headed right to your website. Am I glad I did!! This just sounds too good to be true. I can’t wait to see the finished product. How did you ever luck out on this guy with his building??
HURRY UP NOVEMBER.
If you need help moving anything, please let me know. I’ll be glad to help in anyway I can.
Lynn
August 17th, 2009, at 4:55 pm
YEAAAA !!!!!!!!!!! No more stairs!!! I always felt guilty having the girls bring my “stuff” upstairs. Sign me up for the first class!
August 17th, 2009, at 5:36 pm
Janet ~ I heard the big news from my sister, Sandy. How exciting;I’m thrilled for you and all the “gals”. The new shoppe sounds wonderful. My only regret is that you won’t be “in my back yard” any more. But, don’t worry …… I’m willing to drive a couple of extra miles to get to my favorite quilt store. Best wishes to you on your new business adventure and I’ll look forward to the Grand Opening. Hooray! ~ Nita
August 19th, 2009, at 2:31 am
Congratulations! I am looking forward to the new store and all that it will have to offer. Could this be our Christmas in July present?
August 21st, 2009, at 10:55 am
Congratulations!!!!!! This will be such a wonderful addition and so exciting. Can’t wait for the shop to open.
August 23rd, 2009, at 10:02 am
Such wonderful news!!!! Cannot wait for the grand opening and see all the new things that you are offering… fantastic news for the area and nice to see a business growing instead of collapsing. GO QUILTERS!!!!!!!!!
August 26th, 2009, at 7:33 pm
I just had the pleasure of meeting Janet and cutting 5 inches off her hair. My Janet you looked beautiful!!! I thank you, Melanie and Janine for your business. You truly have a great group of gals there. Looking forward to meeting some more. Thanks Janine and Melanie for the referrals!!!!! The new barn looks fabo. I can’t wait to see the finished product. Wishing you the BEST of luck!
August 30th, 2009, at 8:19 pm
Well, I clocked it with my car….it is 1/2 mile from my house!!! I even have a shopping cart to be able to walk home with my new fabric!!!
hahahah…I knew I could get Janet to move closer to me. Now I can shop before picking up kids from school! And they are excited for the move too!
August 31st, 2009, at 12:40 pm
Janet,
Best of luck with your new store.
Can’t wait for it to open.
September 18th, 2009, at 5:37 pm
Janet , Congratulations. I think this is just great. And to think you’ll be only 7 minutes from where I work. Oh those lunches will be great !!!!