A lot has been happening and nothing at all has happened at the same time.Our real estate agent put a new guy in the office on our case.He may not have as many contacts as the older man but he is really giving it his all.Like most people he was shocked to realize how few properties meet our zoning needs and how many people will not lease to us.Last week we were turned down on 5 prospective properties for lease.There were 2 qualifying locations for sale.One already had a contract on it(ofcourse it was the one that was just perfect for us damn it) and the other we don't want.That's not to say we won't end up in it if there are no other options.It's a 5000 sq ft warehouse with no heating or air."It is heavily insulated" whatever the hell that means exactly.(I could call the contractor if it becomes a possibility)There is a patch of grass behind the building that could fit maybe 12 cars if they blocked each other in.The "parking" was difficult to find too.We had to turn into another businesses driveway and go down what I would call an alleyway to get to the back of the building where the grass patch I'm designating as parking is.The industrial park it's in is about 50% vacant and kinda run down.I just didn't feel safe there.I told the agent as a last resort we might consider it but I would have to get desperate first.He is optimistic that something new will pop on to the market.I'm trying my best to share his outlook.
There are three major counties in our area that cover nine cities.All three counties have adopted ordinances strictly outlining dancer conduct and any client/entertainer contact.A few of the cities are small yet exclusive and contain mainly resorts or affluent neighborhoods.Being in the deep south we have many historical areas that we definitely aren't welcome in.We have to take into account the amount of heat we would take if we venture into certain areas.Church groups have picketed and ran out adult businesses in our area before.My strategy is to lay low, be quiet and let people forget we exist.Prostitution is still illegal and we walk a fine line daily.Ambrosia has survived 12 years by being discreet.Retreating isn't in my nature but remember the saying about the tree that doesn't bend in the wind? Basically, taking all this into account our search is almost exclusive to one city.Granted it is the biggest in our area(and the dirtiest and lowest median income).There are a few more scarcely populated areas but since they aren't actually in a city limit we would have to adhere to the county laws which would be impossible for us to operate under(and still turn any profit how much would you pay to go into a private room with a nude girl but not be able to touch her or yourself and maintain a ridiculous distance.To comply we would have to hand out binocular for you to still see anything. ).
I had the attorney look over a letter the landlord sent us outlining his intentions for the property and giving us official written notice to get out.The atty doesn't think he is working with the city and said it was the nicest letter of it's sorts he had ever read.I wasn't comforted.The letter included a proposed site map.There was a highlighted area that construction would not begin in until we were gone(Our October 1 or sooner deadline.).I have got to have a new location before he begins clearing the areas around us.I still haven't mentioned this to the girls and they will completely freak out.Pandemonium spreads quickly at Ambrosia.If I have the good news of a new place they won't worry about not having somewhere to go.
About a year ago this new guy blew into town and caused an uproar with very explicit advertising for two new clubs he opened.He had lied to both landlords about the type of businesses he would be operating.They tried to evict him but his attorney had made a few additions to the leases that in a round about way left a back door open for him to slip adult businesses into.I had a small run in with one of the club's managers when all the cars in our parking lot were plastered with their fliers.That night I had a heated conversation with them.I called the club # that was listed on the fliers and spoke with the manager.They denied knowing anything about fliers even being printed.The next day I took several of the fliers to the attorney's office and demanded that a follow up letter rebuking their behavior and promising action if any further incidents occurred be sent immediately. That's when I discovered he was their consul as well as mine.He was quite proud of the way he way he snuck their intentions past the uncooperative property owners. He has advised us to lie in our search.That's something I just don't feel comfortable doing.I like having a positive relationship with people I do business with.I don't want to constantly look over my shoulder and fight an endless barrage of eviction hearings every time the owner thinks he has a chance.I always remember Al Capone and try to keep all the little ends wrapped up nice and tidy.
Helga and Serena are going at it about something.Helga called me yesterday all scared that Serena was going to beat her up.Yeah,we are talking about grown women.They are both working tonight and I will try to get this settled one way or another.
Adam did something so sweet the other day I just have to share.I have been complaining about my hair for a few months now.I decided I was going to get couple of inches taken off the length and maybe have some long layers put in.With everything going on I decided to ration the money and only spend on one extra thing a week.The animals going to the vet and pool chemicals, brushes and a new vacuum were all ahead of my hair.Adam went on line and ordered me a $400 gift card so I didn't have to wait.I tried chastising him but he countered that he had not spent any of the weeks money because he had put in on a cc(and I was glad he did it).That was so thoughtful.I went yesterday and did indeed get 3 1/2 inches taken off the back and some layers.It's still about 7 inches or so past my shoulders but it feels so short(It wasn't long enough to sit on but it was well below my waist.)She thinned it out too so now it will not take forever to dry.This may sound silly to you but it was a really big deal to me.I am very very picky about my hair.
Wish me well in my referee duties tonight and my seemingly endless building search.Oh give me a home, where my whores can roam,and sex games can be played and we can be paid all day.Oh yeah I'm losing it but at least I'm still smiling(don't know what the hell about but I am).
Maybe you could find a piece of land that is zoned properly and build something that fits your needs. Commercial construction financing is at 40 year lows and since you seem so committed to the business you are in it would seem to be a good option. Even if you got out of it 10 years down the road you would have a nice building to lease out. A lot of self employed people have funded themselves a nice retirement leasing buildings that they let their own businesses pay rent on for years. Not to mention the tax breaks.
Posted by: roy | June 20, 2005 at 10:57 AM