“If it sounds too good to be true…
It probably is.”
It took me a while to figure out how I was going to write this post, but after much debating on how I’m gonna put it all out there, I decided that simplicity would be best.
G.R.O.O.V.E is a no-go.
Some things went down on Friday and the owners and I decided to stop the project.
Yes, construction had already began:
and I had the menu ready to go, as well as everything for the interior.
Kilee even designed a beautiful logo for us (she also made an amazing logo for the bakery, which I still plan on using):
(Her work is beyond amazing and if any of you bloggies are looking for a fancy new blog header or design work, hit her up: kilee at kileejohnson dot com)
What basically happened with the cafe was that the owners ran into some problems getting certified to build. Apparently food establishments need to go through 3 departments, and one of these departments has a reputation for waiting at least 2 months before putting anything on the agenda, let alone making a decision. This means that the cafe wouldn’t have opened according to schedule and since I’m most likely moving next spring/summer, they didn’t want to risk it. We also had some other unsolved negotiations (which I’m not going to go into on the bloggy) but it an almond-shell, we agreed to halt the project.
I was crushed.
Like totally, utterly bummed out.
Friday was a rough day for me, and I was happy that we spent the evening with friends. It gave me a reality check as to how temporary I am. We’re never in the same spot for more than 3-5 years and this aspect of military life makes it really difficult. I’m proud to say I’ve done a pretty good job of making the best of a tough living situation, but things like this are like a sucker punch in the stomach. The funny thing is, two months ago, before all of this, I was totally and perfectly content. When this happened, it was kind of like telling a kid they can have a puppy, letting them pick out and name the puppy, and then tell them they can’t have it anymore. Just sad, right?
I was also dreading writing this post because ya’ll were so supportive and wonderful (as you always are), but now that it isn’t happening, I feel like a giant goober.
“Ish happens, and you just gotta roll with it.”
I’m 100% confident that this happened for a reason, and something bigger, better and more exciting is on its way. They let me keep my job at the gym, so I’m just going to keep doing my thang by teaching Zumba, being lead aerobics instructor (I do the schedule and invoice/billing for the base gym), training my amazing clients and writing the bloggy. I have a few other projects that I’m working on and am on a mission to find a commercial kitchen I can use so I can FINALLY get this online bakery going. Until that happens, expect random macaroon giveaways because I really do enjoy making them 🙂
Thank you so much for being so supportive of my now non-existent cafe 🙂 I really love and appreciate all of you. Back tonight with a fun, normal post 🙂
xoxo,
Gina
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oh darling that just sucks! but don’t worry, i know it’ll be just like you said, later on down the line you’ll completely understand why this had to happen. bigger and better and unbelievable things lie in your future, there is no doubt!
:,( When things are meant to be they happen, one way or the other. When they`re not, not even if you force them. You have great potential and ability, this is just the beginning of a great journey for you I am sure! 🙂 I believe your bakery will be sooo successful that this was a sign for you so you can focus all your energy on a project thats all your own and that you can carry with you when you move!! 🙂
Awww. 🙁 Total bummer, Fitnessista. The life of a military wife is not an easy thing, especially when this kind of stuff happens. I’ll be keeping you in my prayers. You know that old adage – whenever one door closes another opens. I hope the next door opens soon for you!
aww that blows dude… sorry to hear that but there are many more chances up ahead best wishes and you totally rock!
We have a saying in Scotland “Whit’s fur ye’ll no go by ye” which means what’s meant to happen will happen. And I believe you’ll get this, one way or another. Keep the chin up, keep the AMAZING food coming and without a doubt it’ll happen, on a HUGE scale.
Go get em hun!
K x
I’m sorry about the cafe. Nonetheless, I think amazing things will happen for you~
Military Wives -we get the highest of highs when our husbands come home from war and sometimes like these we hit the lowest of lows because of our already difficult lifestyles. It can only get better and who knows what the next duty station has in store…
I’m sorry, Gina. 🙁
It will happen — it will absolutely happen. It’s just not the right time yet.
Being a child of the military, I completely understand how ‘temporary’ life always feels. It’s almost as if there is ONE big commitment in life – and that is to the military and its whims! I feel so much for you, Gina.
I feel confident that you will fulfill your dreams in some other way. You are so strong, positive, driven – you inspire people every day. It wasn’t the right time, obviously, but it ain’t over till it’s over. Where there’s life, there’s hope… as my Mom always says!
<3 you.
Gina,
First off, you did NOT let us bloggies down. That is impossible. If anything, it inspires us all to, despite the hardships that come our way, to keep plugging along, to keep dreaming, and to keep thriving. All with a smile on our faces.
I interviewed Olympic snowboarder Gretchen Bleiler this week and her situation at the Olympics mirrors yours. Despite taking a tumble on the halfpipe, when she had finished her run, she came up smiling the most genuine smile ear-to-ear.
And that is you. You will smile. You will preservere. God has amazing plans for you; just keep working hard and being the Gina we all love to pieces!
-Heather
I’m sorry things didn’t work out with Groove. I am confident that you have a lot more amazing opportunities coming your way. All my best:)
Wow, Gina. Bummer indeed. You’re right, ish DOES happen – still sucks, though. Just remember, “everything happens for a reason.” (Ugh sometimes that’s NOT what you want to hear, right? I really believe it’s true, though.) Bigger and better things are on the way for you, my friend! 🙂
I am so sorry that the cafe is not working out, Gina! I **know** that something even better will be coming your way. As they say, when one door closes, another one opens. There is a reason it did not work out, and while you don’t know it yet, you will soon enough.
XO,
Sabrina
good luck, girl. you’ll rock it out when the time is right. 🙂
So sorry things didn’t work out! 🙁 Something even better will come along.
So sorry things didn’t go on as planned. I am a firm believer though, that whenever God closes a door he opens a window…You seem to have a lot of positive energy and I am sure soemthing even better will come along for you when the time is right. in the mean time, keep your head up you are doing great things already!
Really sorry to hear this Gina, but you’re right, and I am absolutely certain that there is something BIGGER and BETTER on the horizon for you!! Keep your head up! 🙂
You’ve already gotten a ton of comments but I’m still gonna add my two cents! 😀 While it’s a bummer that this didn’t work out, I think you are right to keep in mind that you and the pilot will be leaving soon which would have impacted everybody and the cafe. I sort of think this might be a sign that is telling you that it’s time to do your own thing. Start the online business and offering up raw treats that you ship to people. Because that can be done from anywhere as long as you have a kitchen! 🙂
What a bummer, but I’m also a strong believer in everything happening for a reason. Now that you know what the process of opening a place entails, you’ll be ready for it the next place you guys live…I can just see it now – Gena starting up little GROOVE cafes all over the country every 3-5 years! You’ll eventually have your own chain!! 😉 And I hope eventually you’d make it to Des Moines, Iowa, cuz we could really use a raw establishment here.
I’m so sorry, Gina! TOTAL bummer. But you WILL realize this dream one day – soon – I just know it!
You couldn’t of said it more perfectly “everything happens for a reason”
while it’s a bummer that something didn’t flower the way you expected to happen, I am sure something better is out there for you! You are wonderful and wonderful things will happen for you!!! <3
Aww, sorry to hear the bakery is a no-go! That would really suck … BUT I believe that things happen for a reason and hope that there’s something bigger and better for you on the horizon!
Like you said, it happened for a reason. I’m sure you will make the best of it and find a way to get your bakery up and going asap. 🙂 Good luck!
I’m so sorry to hear about that! Have you ever thought about having a Food Cart instead of a cafe? Food Carts are all the rage here in Portland, and a much less permanent (and quicker!) solution.
Good luck in whatever you decide to do!
hahah yes i have thought about that! i wanted to open a mexi-mobile when we first moved here 😀
I’m sorry your cafe didn’t work out. But it’s so true – things happen for a reason, and perhaps now wasn’t the right time to open the cafe. If it’s something you really want to pursue, you’ll find the right time & location for it 🙂