The sad fact is that even if I make a heartfelt plea on the t’interweb about how much the world would be improved by the incorporation, founding and subsequent grand opening of the Jabberwocky, it is unlikely to start raining money. Naturally, in terms of satisfaction rating, a self built empire stands taller than one built on what would, frankly, be a hand out built on metaphorical hands, but I would still take it. It also creates a stranger mindscape, if you can take a moment to visualise the whole empire-on-hands thing.
Dithery aside, the last few days have been fraught with the problems of being earnest about opening a restaurant but financially rather stretched. I will share with you that the dream involves owning actual bricks and mortar, and that bricks and mortar, correctly assembled, can set you back rather a long way these days. The alternative to buying these articles is the leasehold, a fairly common sight, where the business owner leases the building off a landlord with much lower overheads. You pay the rent on the building, and while you control everything to do with the business, the landlord continues to own the ground, walls, pipes, lights etc. You still have full control over how bizarre the contents can be, but once the lease is up you could lose the lot to some foul negotiations. It also rules out any significant structural modifications because even if the landlord is happy with them, you are essentially adding value to his building, rather than to your business. Crucially though, you actually have a business, rather than just a mildly self indulgent blog and half a website.
Oh, wails the I-want-it-all-now-pixie, but then you will only own the business not the building! What if you move? What if you want to expand? What if all the world comes to ruin?
The IWIANP has a good point or two there. Sadly, however, the IWIANP does not have £300,000 kicking around in its pixie britches, and therefore is not in a position to make demands.
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