I am ashamed, as all fledgeling bloggers tend to be, of my recent dearth of blog entries.

But, it is all with good reason, I promise.

Not the shame, the dearth. Okay, maybe the shame, too.

So, without a whole lot of ado:

Chocolate House Progress Updates

• Demolition has not only begun in the space we are building out, but we are nearly done with the tearing apart of things and will soon be shifting toward building and creating spaces, features, furniture, and other elements in a constructive sense. The intention is to build and customize bench seating, counter space, a farmhouse table for large groups, and some neat-o decor using recycled and repurposed wood!

• Procurement of key materials, equipment, dishes, and additional furniture is well underway, including a steal-of-a-deal on some tables that my sister-in-law tipped us off to find! After acquiring the tables from OH-IO, our return trip to Indiana led to an impromptu venture to an antique mall and purchasing my first ever Fiestaware pieces that we will use for our delightful in-house rainbow coffee mugs!

• City and County officials have been quite helpful and informative once I went and actually ask questions. Folks are generally business-positive and want to help people get their businesses up and running properly.
  • But, as a note of constructive criticism: our City and County websites are fairly dreadful, I'm sad to say. It is a challenge to understand information or to know how to provide the necessary information that is being asked. For example, one Department's form is a catch-all form that could include businesses like me that are just beginning or larger businesses that are expanding their footprint. It is hard to know what applies and what doesn't without a skilled interpreter in these offices, which luckily, there are and they are friendly!
  • Conversations have been much better and clearer. Thanks to all who have given their time and knowledge to the project!
     
• Queer Chocolatier now has angel investors as well as two new microinvestors who have demonstrated their belief in our vision and product (and a desire to have free truffles for life!)! The success of our company will truly be due to these kind (and savvy) individuals.

Things I have discovered in this lair of mystery

I have yet to find gold doubloons or pieces of eight during the demo of this strange and mysterious space in a Muncie historical building, but I reckon it'll happen soon. Our Chocolate House is a head-scratcher when it comes to uncovering how it was built and "updated" (in the utter loosest sense of the term) over the decades by previous multiple tenants. 

For example:

• Check out this rather stunning and fairly pristine wallpaper that was covered up by layers of wall augmentations.

• Based on the sheer number and placement, I think at least one person who modified this space was paid by the nail. Why does anybody need to put a nail at every blanketyblank inch?!?!?
• Potentially related: I suspect someone was drunk during previous remodels.

Tl;dr...

• Nothing is square and geometry is dead. Someone call Pythagoras and let him know.

New recipe development

If I can make it out of chocolate or put chocolate in it, I've tinkered with it in my home kitchen in the last few weeks!

Scones, chocolate ravioli, chocolate cinnamon rolls and other exquisite foods have been chucked away in my freezer because apparently I can only eat so much and those words have never made sense to me ever before in my lifetime.

An end of an era (albeit quite short)

This Saturday, April 21, will be Queer Chocolatier's last official farmers' market vending day.

I still remember all the butterflies I had in my stomach when I first hung up my banner last August and I am reminded daily of all the new friendships and connections I have made from being a market vendor. 

Farmers' markets hold a dear space in my heart, not just because I launched my business here but I also researched them in my sociology days. It is incredibly bittersweet to make this decision. As much as I want and try to be in multiple places at once, I'm unable, and while I will miss the summer mornings smelling fresh coffee and kettle corn, I am dreaming of the first Saturday morning that brunch will be served at our Chocolate House!