5 years in business - a retrospective

This weekend, I am celebrating 5 years in business.

5 YEARS! Honestly, I can't believe it myself.

Before looking forward, let's take a (pictorial) look back at the history of the shop.

In December 2003, I looked at an empty storefront on Merrimack Street in downtown Lowell. In February 2004, I called to see if it was still available, and it was! I signed a lease a few weeks after that. At the beginning of May 2004, my shop opened at 122 Merrimack Street in downtown Lowell, MA.

The day before I opened, I hung up my sign. Don't I look happy?


Just before the ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday May 5, 2004. I was goofing around. Best viewed while humming the Chariots of Fire theme, because that's what I was humming at the time...


That is me with the mayor (left) and the head of the Chamber of Commerce (right). Those scissors are just bizarre - they are cardboard and do not cut. I am holding a stealth pair of metal scissors behind them. Maybe you can spot them?


The shop on opening day. Oh glorious day!


In August 2005, the shop moved next door to 120 Merrimack Street. It was at least twice the size of the original space. Growth!


I spent 3 years at that location, and I really liked it. My business went through a lot of ups and downs during that period, and towards the end of my time there the economy was really starting to tank.

In August 2008 the shop moved again, this time to the Western Avenue Studios. The space is smaller and the creative environment is fantastic. I am really happy here.