Alphabet Soup

For years we've been searching MLS, calculating NNNs and CAMs. Then finally after signing an LOA with BRE we signed an LOI with our PM.  Then we had to hire a GC to figure out the HVAC and to work with SDG&E to determine the BTUs.  That required a CAD. Next our CPA helped us switch our CORP from a C to an S. Then we had to apply for an NUP and CUP with CCDC. ABC required a receipt from CCDC before we could apply for our Type 42. Tonight we met with the CAB hoping they will recommend a letter of support from their BOD. That was with the LIA.  Last week we met with LINO and the week before Chris went to a meeting of DISI. Before long we'll have to deal with ADA and EDD, and depending on which plan we choose, maybe AT&T.
OMG!

The Biz - What it iz!

Now that we have you intrigued and rooting for us, we thought we should at least tell you what 98 Bottles is all about:

Bottles, bottles everywhere and lots of fun, food and drink. 98 Bottles™ is a boutique retail & entertainment lounge concept where fine service and fun go hand in hand. At 98 Bottles™ the finest food and drink will be presented by a highly trained staff who will not only serve you, but also help educate your palate.  A monthly calendar of the best quality talent and fun events will provide a much needed entertainment alternative to run-of-the-mill pubs, sports bars and nightclubs.

Our small retail area will feature custom-made gift boxes for every occasion with artisan oils, vinegars, spreads, and other gourmet delights as well as hard to find craft beer, sake and wine. Unique glassware, books, artist creations and kitchen novelties will also be sold.

At 98 Bottles™ wine will not be allowed to dominate.  Equal time and careful attention will be paid to the ever growing variety of quality craft beer as well as our own signature sake and wine-based cocktails  Our shared-style menu will feature flat breads, dipping platters, antipasto, sumptuous desserts and other international fun fare that can all be enjoyed in a comfortable and casual front lounge area or in the intimate entertainment venue in the back.

The entertainment options at 98 Bottles™ will range from the expected to the truly unique; Vocalists, Jazz Trios, Spoken Word, Comedy, Open Mic, and good old fashioned Game Nights will be interspersed with regular educational food and drink pairing events. Our Musical Proud-igies™ series will provide an outlet for San Diego’s most talented gifted young musicians. There will always be something fun going on at 98 Bottles™.

98 Bottles™  is located in downtown San Diego's Little Italy North creative district. This up and coming artist enclave houses art galleries, design studios, architects, photographers, high end furniture retailers and antique dealers.  

The opening of 98 Bottles™ is proof that, with patience and persistence, dreams really do come true. Husband and wife Steve Anthony Mesaros and Jill Mesaros, along with long time family friend Chris Hjerling have been searching for five years for just the right place to open 98 Bottles™.  The three long-time San Diego residents will create a venue where customers are reminded that life is still fun and that laughing and sharing good times are good for the soul. 

Another Milestone - We've Been Posted

On Saturday our consultant Marco Polo Cortes brought us the official ABC posting for our window.  It stays up for 30 days.  Next we do a mailing to everyone within 500 feet of the property and keep our fingers crossed that no one protests our license application.  Keep YOUR fingers crossed too and your toes, arms, legs and anything else you can think to cross!

Steve, Chris, Jill & Marco Polo  

Close up of the official posting!  

No we didn't coordinate our hat selection-it was pure coincidence

A Love Letter to our Realtor

Our realtor extraordinaire Robb Frye of Cassidy Turley BRE (downtown office) called this morning to see how things are going.  It reminded me that we haven't sufficiently thanked him, in a public way, for the amazing work he did for us.  Robb is a great guy!   He stuck with us for more than a year doing his best to negotiate on several places and finally finding us the site on Kettner.   The best thing about Robb is, no matter how hot and frustrating negotiations get, he remains even tempered and calm.  And most importantly, Robb never gave up on us and our dream. So here's to you Robb.  Once we're open we will toast you properly with a glass of great beer or fine wine, your choice.

Think Good Thoughts

Well we filed our CUP and ABC applications today.  Whew!  Now it's all in the hands of the city of San Diego and the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control! In two hectic weeks, Chris has become expert in the following: draft and design, application completion, chief B.S.er  and official shmoozer (the B.S.ing part comes naturally cause he's full of it anyway).  Special thanks to our consultant Marco Polo Cortes of Cortes Communications for walking us through the process.  Now Marco's work really begins as he helps usher our applications through the maze of City Hall and ABC.


In other words, we have officially asked permission to do our business...let's hope it's granted so PLEASE think good thoughts!


P.S. Every time I see, say or write CUP it reminds me of that grade school joke...

Photos & Drawings

Our first proposed floor plan

Front of the building

From the front door looking back

Back of the space

Along the upper rail

(Feb 8, 2011) Consultants

So, last week was all about getting the right people working for us to start this process.  We now have a general contractor, a kitchen consultant and a government advocate to help us through the maze of the CUP and ABC license application process.  At least we were well versed in the process, thanks to Chris' very thorough research and having met with several kitchen consultants, restaurant consultants, architects, designer, ABC license attorneys and many others over the years.  Here's what I have to say about consultants.  You have to try to find people who think like you do.  We are determined to work with people who think positively, respond promptly and who see the intrinsic value in getting the job done as expediently and inexpensively as possible.    We're also determined  NOT to work with those who don't listen, just want to throw money at the problem or are negative nay sayers.  You would be amazed at how many folks out there fall into one or more of those categories. The negative Nancys surprise me the most.  To them I want to say we KNOW what we are trying to do is challenging, we KNOW it takes approval from many levels of government, we KNOW it takes way too long to get the necessary approvals, we KNOW many in the restaurant business fail, we KNOW it won't be easy.  But, the bottom line is WE ARE DOING THIS so somehow we will just figure it all out.

(Feb 1, 2011) - Got the keys!

Now it's REALLY official.  Today we got the keys and the signed copy of the lease and away we go.  Went to the space and got to see it empty for the first time (there was a temporary tenant there before). It's GORGEOUS!  More later.  And yes Richard...there will be cake!

(1/31/11) Day 1...really day 2,555

Today we finally began what I can only assume will be, the long and arduous (but hopefully tons of fun and full of learning experiences) process of opening a boutique beer and wine bar, retail store and entertainment venue in San Diego. So I guess you could say it's day 1, but by any other calculation, it's at least day 2, 555 because it was in 2004 or 2005 that this process really began. For 15 years we ran The Theatre in Old Town, a for-profit theatre producing long running commercial hits.  We were the home of many great musicals and comedies including "I Love You, You're Perfect Now Change," "The Male Intellect," "Shear Madness," "BEEHIVE," and our amazing five year run of "Forever Plaid."  It was a great time, we produced lots of fun shows, our audiences had a blast and we were really quite successful.  But in 2006 when California State Parks decided to put the theatre out to bid requiring a lot of capitalization, a lot more rent and historically accurate interpretive programming, we decided to pass.  It was time to move on.  For a couple of years we worked on developing a new theatre in North County but several locations fell through (THANK GOD) because when the crash of 2009 rolled around we were kissing the ground and thanking our lucky stars that we were no longer in the theatre business.  So over the past two years or so we have refined our plan and began looking for a space to run a boutique craft beer and wine bar with light food service and intimate entertainment.  Since we live in Encinitas, we were still convinced we wanted to be in North County.  And when I tell you we looked, I mean there are dozens of businesses open now in the locations we considered.  But, none were the right fit.  Finally our realtor told us about a space in Northern Little Italy on Kettner Blvd.  It was love at first sight.  So last Thursday we signed a lease and today we signed an agreement with our general contractor, and away we go!  We have done our homework and researched (ad naseum) all of the permits, fees, application processes and other hoops we will have to jump through, and still we have decided to move forward.  You would be amazed, if not shocked, at how hard it is to open a small business, particularly when there is beer and wine involved.  But, my partners and I (my husband Steve and good friend Chris) feel like we are up to the challenge.  So here we go, we've made the commitment, we're taking the chance and making the leap...keep your fingers crossed.  We will keep you posted. 

Consultants

So, last week was all about getting the right people working for us to start this process.  We now have a general contractor, a kitchen consultant and a government advocate to help us through the maze of the CUP and ABC license application process.  At least we were well versed in the process, thanks to Chris' very thorough research and having met with several kitchen consultants, restaurant consultants, architects, designer, ABC license attorneys and many others over the years.  Here's what I have to say about consultants.  You have to try to find people who think like you do.  We are determined to work with people who think positively, respond promptly and who see the intrinsic value in getting the job done as expediently and inexpensively as possible.    We're also determined  NOT to work with those who don't listen, just want to throw money at the problem or are negative nay sayers.  You would be amazed at how many folks out there fall into one or more of those categories. The negative Nancys surprise me the most.  To them I want to say we KNOW what we are trying to do is challenging, we KNOW it takes approval from many levels of government, we KNOW it takes way too long to get the necessary approvals, we KNOW many in the restaurant business fail, we KNOW it won't be easy.  But, the bottom line is WE ARE DOING THIS so somehow we will just figure it all out.

Day 3 ( a day late)

Too tired last night to write anything.  It was a 13 hour day, but very interesting and informative.  Suffice it to say that opening a small business where food and wine are concerned is not for the faint of heart.  But, we have had many months to do tons of research so there are no real surprises.  The goal is to get the CUP (conditional use permit) and ABC wine and beer license applications in by next week.  I think we'll make it.  Stay tuned.

Day 4 (Photos)

Here are some photos of the space that Chris took with his iphone.  Let us know what you think by writing a comment below.

Front of building

Looking to the back from front door

Upper level

Along upper railing

Day 2 - Got the keys!

Now it's REALLY official.  Today we got the keys and the signed copy of the lease and away we go.  Went to the space and got to see it empty for the first time (there was a temporary tenant there before). It's GORGEOUS!  More later.  And yes Richard...there will be cake!