Ok, it’s official. We’re open for business at our new location (430 W. State Street). Here are the “howevers”: We’re not buying yet, we’re still walking on (goose) eggshells with our new computer system, and the windows aren’t washed yet! But, hell, come on down. We’d love to see you.
Not Open Yet! May 23, 2008
I think we have another week (at least) before we’ll be able to open the doors of the new Goose. Some of what we need to accomplish are things like railings on the stairs and ramp, plumbing inspections, electrical inspections … Ugh. I am way too familiar with all of this now….
The Goose staff is plugging away at organizing and finding homes for the mounds of merchandise. We are having no problems filling 4,000 square feet. It’s crazy! Most of the creative decisions have been made, and it’s starting to really feel like work. Just lots to hang, clean, unpack and organize. I think we’re all missing interacting with customers and just a good old-fashioned day of selling and buying and feeling like we know what to do next!
So .. back to work. Looking forward to the day we can say, “come on in!”
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Last Day At The Little Goose is Saturday! May 15, 2008
Saturday will be the last day the little goose will do business at the corner of Seneca and Plain! We’re going to celebrate this momentous day with lemonade, cookies a tent in the parking lot and tons of bargains. We’re all feeling a little sentimental, but the minute we walk down to the the big goose, we find ourselves wanting to stay down there.
We’re going to pack everything up on Monday and wheel it down the street. Anyone who wants to help us lug or wheel things from one goose to the other - just show up to the little goose and join the parade!
Have you seen the new front entrance? It is really coming to life. This wonderful old building seems to be reincarnating right before our eyes. We’ve been hearing lots of stories about it’s former life as a pool hall and tailor shop.
Mama Muralist, MaryBeth Inken has executed a wonderful rendering of Alice Heise’s Goose. Check it out on the Corn street side of State and Corn. If I knew how to do a link in the body of this text, I would - but I just don’t have any more technological feats in me today. If you click on Maya’ blog (to the right) and look at her post yesterday, you’ll see some great shots of the mural.
Stay tuned for news of the grand opening!
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Sneak Peak May 9, 2008
Trumansburg Mom, Maya Donenfeld, has been hard at work doing design consulting for the new goose. We met Maya as a customer and soon picked up on her creative energy and enthusiasm for beautifying (and organizing) spaces. Maya and I share an odd passion for galvanized steal, retro fabrics and finding new uses for old things. She has been posting goose updates on her design blog. If you want a sneak preview, check out her blog (see link in right-hand column). I really wanted to ask her to destroy the ridiculous photo of me, but decided I’d take that one for the team …
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Shed Coming Down Today! May 6, 2008
It’s a momentous day. The construction crew is tearing off the shed that has obscured our soon-to-be State street storefront. By the end of tomorrow, our windows and front door will be exposed! Eeek! Still lots to do to re-face the front of the store, but taking down the huge storage shed is the first (and most dramatic) step!
What’s happening at the little goose? There’s still lots of new merchandise coming in and out every day. It’s a great time for random bargains. And I mean random. What’s on sale today? Long sleeves. What’s on sale tomorrow? We’ll see what strikes our fancy. Think of it as our daily creative expression…
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Changes in May April 29, 2008
A quick update:
- We are closing early Thursday: The store will close (for the afternoon) at 1PM this Thursday, May 1st for a marathon staff training session on the new Point of Sales Purchase system.
- What we’re buying: We are no longer buying 0 - 12 months at the little Goose. We will resume buying these sizes when we’re in our new digs.
- How we’re buying: As of May 6th, we’re buying by appointment only. This is because our staff will be divided between the two stores as the demands of the new Goose increase by the minute!
- Moving sales! The month of May is a great time for bargains! Starting this Friday (May 2nd) we will be having tons of sales. Come shop so we don’t have to move all our merchandise to the new space!
That’s it for updates. If you’re on our email list, you’ll get the same darn news in another format. Now, I’m off to sit in a blanket of drywall dust and write copious notes about sconce locations, pendant lengths and my new word - escutcheons!
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Still in full swing at the Little Goose April 22, 2008
It’s hopping here at the Little Goose. So much to buy! So much to sell! So much to trade! All of us here at the Goose are in permanent over-drive. To get ready for the move, every staff member has a side project, in addition to their regular shifts (and yes, their lives, children and pets)! We’re so excited though and, miraculously, still having fun. One of our major side projects is preparing to convert to a computer point-of-purchase system. Though our beloved index cards and ebay cash register have served us well, we just can’t do it the old-fashioned way any longer. The transition is going to be scary for some of us (me!) - but in the end, it will really help us keep the wheels moving efficiently. We have put a lot of work into picking and planning for this new system. So on we march - hoping to do a marathon staff computer training on May 1st. If we stay on schedule, we’ll close the store for the afternoon of May 1st for this training (we’ll shoot you an email to remind you of this). Thanks for checking in with us and for all your well-wishes!
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Welcome to the Mama Goose blog! April 14, 2008
Of course, it was inevitable - a Mama Goose blog! Well, we thought we should find a way to keep our customers in the loop as the Goose is about to make a major expansion and move come this May. We haven’t been able to nail a grand opening date down, so we’re coming up with general marketing slogans like “The Goose is making tracks!” and “The Goose is taking flight!” But, for those of you who want (or need) to know the concrete scoop, here’s the plan: We hope to be in our new, three times as big Goose by the middle of May. Our new address will be 430 West State Street - just a long block west and a short block south of our current location.
The “little Goose” is as busy as ever. We’re packed with great spring stock and everyone is loading up for the season! During the month of May, we may stop taking in inventory at some point and will shut our doors for four or five days. We’re going to make as few changes as possible and will keep you posted through our email mailing list and - yes - our new blog! Construction on the new space is going well, but still in the dusty, messy phase. We’re itching to start beautifying the place, but can’t get ahead of ourselves. Planning for this move is not unlike planning for a new baby. The nesting instincts are in full force! Stay tuned for more “what’s”, “how’s” and “when’s.”
Thanks for checking in!
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