Change feels almost impossible.
My mind still worries I haven’t made next week’s schedule. My hands still go to my phone to call suppliers for next week’s milk order or coffee delivery. My mind still races with ideas about how to engage the community in shopping locally and entice people to visit the shop on a rainy or cold day.
For thirteen years, I have been a barista-supervisor-human resource manager-plumber-electrician-baker-prep cook that has overseen inventory, staff, customer service, marketing and accounting. And as of tomorrow, this crazy role of being a business owner comes to a close.
Albert Einstein once said, “Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.”
I feel like I’ve been pedalling at full speed for a long time, and I think it’s time to put one foot down for a second, and catch my breath. I believe that it’s okay to pause for that second, take a look around and see where you’ve ended up.
And wow. What a view
Where I ended up is in a place of love. Love from my family, supporting me through this adventure. Love from my staff, that gave their all every day that they came to work; they respected me and the shop, and made it their own. Love from Momma E, shown through her incredible baking day-in and day-out, and also shown through her relationships with the staff and customers.
And lastly, love from you guys - the regulars. My god, so much love. All I can say is THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU. I am in awe of the love felt for the last thirteen years, and especially the last six weeks. The stories I have heard, the dedication people have had to supporting us, and the proclamations of passion for our shop have all been overwhelming to say the least.
When I opened the shop, I was 26 years old. This year I will be turning 40. So literally, one-third of my life has been this Shop. Which means one-third of my life has been this Community. These Regulars. My Staff.
Change feels almost impossible. But, as I put my foot down for a second, and see the love around me, I know I can catch my breath, pick up my foot, and move forward, knowing this love will be with me as I continue my journey.
Thank you. I love you.
- Caitlin Zannoni