THE PHAT TRACKS NEWSLETTER

As this is the “update” section of the newsletter, I have tried multiple times to write out something that was at least funny… and have failed miserably.

So, let’s instead go with a basic update:

As of this writing the General contractor is almost done and by the time this gets posted he should be finished. As for what he accomplished:
Removal of interior walls
Construction of a new wall creating an additional backroom
Flooring patching and repair
Wall repair and painting
New lighting and electrical work
Drop Ceiling repair

I have received a quote for the construction and delivery of the primary fixture units (shelving, display tables, product bins and register counter). The grand total, which includes Shipping and handling at the price of $10,000 is approximately $41,000. Realistically I doubt that we could get the same amount of fixtures of similar quality for significantly less.

Ikea shelving, for example, has tensile strengths that are considerably too low to be used in a commercial setting. I believe the minimum strength has to be at least 70 lbs per shelf and the Ikea bookshelves have 30 lbs per shelf listed (I think? It may actually be lower).

To be quite honest, I would prefer library shelving (and I plan on double checking the quotes for said units) but, in the age of Trump I’m not sure we could get those units in within any acceptable timeframe due to tariffs and embargos on raw materials. Arguably I could order the shelving from a manufacturer in China, but the logistics would be a nightmare, delivery times would be questionable and the tariffs would likely push the prices too high to be a realistic alternative.

So – the $41k seems like the realistic answer but, it’s still a bitter pill to swallow.

Beyond that, I’m still looking at POS systems. I’m still not completely sure what we’re going to use, so I plan on seeing if I can get demo set ups of the few I’ve narrowed it down to. Note that I’m not going to bother with any of the ‘traditional’ bookstore systems, given that we also carry music and side merch. What I would save in time for using one I would also lose shoehorning the other things in, plus none of those systems are particularly up to date. Hell, one of them runs on a DOS fork.

As for stock: we’re getting early shipments in, with a large order being planned for this weekend or early next week. Large as in – most of the books, so somewhere between $8-$12k. That means a shit ton of wine, cookies, snacks and Bing Crosby (or Marty Robbins – not sure yet) or maybe a bit of Halloween Baking Championship. There are a lot of Titles to consider and our Sales Rep at Ingram doesn’t particularly like us.

So, that’s about it. I’m still waiting on the vending rep to get in touch (we were passed to them by Nestle since Nestle runs the Starbucks programs). We also still have the donation pages up via Kofi and Givebutter, so if you can pitch in a few dollars, we would more than appreciate it.

Stay Loud, Stay Sharp, Stay Human.

REARANGE - God Lives Underwater

All along,

We knew the answers all along.
Why did it take you so long, I hear you say.

It all depends on how you're point of view can change
Round and round, rearrange

I don't count the days...

All along, I didn't listen physically
I have come to find what's not mine
I thought was a given

It all depends on how your point of view can change
Round and round, rearrange

And all the while, I feel like I could go either way
Behind your backs, I just may

I don't count the days

All along, I could do anything
Anything without you, anyway

It all depends on how your point of view can change
Round and round, rearrange

And all the while, I feel like I could go either way
Behind your backs, I just may

I don't count the days...