Readying The Space

After a bit of manhandling to get the 10kg roaster into place we more or less have both roasters where we want them. We'll need a bit more help to get the 1100 lb. roaster off the skid.

The Roasters Have Arrived

After what seems like an eternity waiting, the roasters have arrived.

Another Week of Progress

The new windows are installed but need to be finished on the inside and the blue tile border has been installed and grouted.

The roasters arrived from Turkey this week and are waiting to clear Customs so we're hoping for delivery by Christmas.

Interior is Getting Closer

We've hung the chandeliers, installed a hutch behind the bar and are working on a tile border.

The Outside Progresses

The front porch with stairs and ramp have been completed by Heinz at Project X Construction.

Slow Progress

So progress continues but a slower than ideal pace. There has been some sort of "administrative" error in the order of our coffee roasters and they apparently just left Turkey this week. The good news is that they should make it here before Christmas.

The bar is in and most of the other equipment is installed and working. The door is almost finished, the windows should be here shortly and the concrete porch, steps and ramp are under construction. We're currently making brackets to mount some antique railings on the face of the bar in front of the stainless steel panels.

Getting Close

Things have been busy, floor is down and here's a picture of me staining it with used coffee grounds.

Making Great Progress

It's been a while since my last update and things are moving along really well. The arched ceiling has been installed and textured, the drywall is complete and painting has begun, the floor is down and construction of the bar has been started.

The Sample Roaster Is In!

Ok, the 1 kilo roaster is at the vendors warehouse in Toronto but we can't really pick it up until we have a finished floor to place it on. The drywall was started this week and we're hoping to start the floor by the end of this week or beginning of next.

The Bricklayer Was In

So things are a bit slow because every week another of the trades is on vacation but this week the bricklayer was in and decreased the width of the opening to fit the new double doors and restored the arched top (See July 9th post for comparison).

The Trades Have Started

The framers and electricians have started their work. We're still waiting for the plumber to start the work on the drain. Soon we'll get the strapping down and can start laying the floor.

Manufacturing the Floor

We've begun manufacturing the flooring for the coffee shop. We are starting with approximately 500 rough-cut 1"x3" Green Ash planks and planing them on all 4 sides. One of our problems is that we have to work outdoors so we are at the mercy of Mother Nature. It's quite an undertaking that we are hoping to complete by mid August and then begin actually laying the floor.

Four Corners

Here's the four corners of the room where the coffee business is going:

This is a view of the doorway out to the rest of the building.

This is towards the front of the building with the 2 small doors going to storage areas.

This is the other view toward the front of the building where the entrance will be to the right and another window both which are currently boarded up.


This is the corner where the coffee roasters will be situated.

The Street View cont'd

Now here's the view of the part of the building where the coffee shop will be. Not very impressive just yet but it will be.

The Street View

So this is the picture postcard view of the Hacienda Sarria. It is actually the residence of the owner and is at the opposite end to where the coffee operation is going to be located but I thought I would include it for the WOW factor. Behind the residence is the portion of the building used for special occasions such as weddings and corporate parties. Behind that is the part of the building where our coffee shop will be.

Beginnings

I've decided to create a blog, not because I think anyone is interested in anything I have to say, but to document my new venture into the coffee business. At this point in time we have pretty much decided on the Toper brand of coffee roasters, a 1 kg sample roaster and a 10 kg production roaster. The roasters will be installed and operating mid September at the Hacienda Sarria in Kitchener. The branding is still not decided but I went ahead with the Hacienda Coffee name just to have something to call the business in the interim. I hope to have photos to post in the near future of the exterior of the building and the room where the roasters will be installed.

Dave!