Is it just me or does it seem like Mother Nature is a little bi-polar this year? Seems we get just a glimmer of nice weather, then the weather person starts talking about cold again. Even the snowbirds are complaining, but never fear...at some point Spring or maybe Summer will settle in and we will have a whole new set of grievances.
Meanwhile, here in Quincy, we are continuing our plans to start our full-time adventure this Summer. I've found Ebay to be a viable choice for selling the lifelong possessions that we must part with to downsize to our new lifestyle. It does take time, and there is some work involved; but on the upside, it does give one more control than a garage sale or auction.
Speaking of auctions, we have set the auction date for our Business, Building/Home, and parking lot for May 10th. I know that real estate auctions are many times assumed to be a last resort option to sell, but that really isn't the case here. We have had our place on the market for a bit, but it's such an unusual property that I think it's difficult to find someone who has the same need we had; for their home to be above their business. It's such an easy commute, and would be perfect for a variety of small business types; the owner's two story loft apartment above and a garage large enough for about 5 cars as well as a finished parking lot for about 12 cars. The building has been inspected, passed with flying colors.
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| Completed Mural - 2009 |
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| Taken in 1920 |
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Drawing Made Before Mural
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There is so much history here; this building has been the location of many a retail establishment over the last 100+ years. After we finished the rehab project on the building and moved in to our loft home and business space in 2008, I was given an old photo (1920) that was taken of the intersection of Hampshire St. and 4th Street which runs in front of our building. It shows a streetcar on 4th street out front and our building and the buildings on both sides of us. Anyway, I was fascinated with the picture and one of my drivers (Tom Herzog), who I didn't realize was an artist, volunteered to recreate it on the outside wall of our building. The work began, and the resulting mural is amazing. It was hard to get a good picture of the mural due to the glare, but if you click to enlarge it I think you can better see the detail he included. (It was my idea to include our LOGO on the side of the model-t parked in front as well as the awning on our building).
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Our building as it appears
today in 2014
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Our building as it appeared
when we purchased it
in 2007. |
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| Upstairs fireplace. |
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Stairs from 2nd floor
to street level and office. |
Before Rehab
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Sky light area which became
part of the master bath. |
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3rd floor looking toward the front
of the building. |
We had birds and bats flying around inside and the sky light had been leaking for years, rotting the floor below. Still, I knew it could be beautiful.
After Rehab
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| Dining room on 2nd floor. (Main floor of loft apt.) |
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| Double gas log fireplaces in Living Room - Previously old coal fireplaces. |
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| Kitchen - 2nd floor (Main floor of loft apt.) |
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| Living room and view of catwalk. |
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Living room into kitchen and view of stairs to 3rd floor
catwalk, bedrooms, and laundry. |
As sad as it will be to say goodbye to our home and our downtown neighborhood of friends, we are looking forward to starting the new chapter of our life on wheels! Stay posted for further updates...
The 'Bee-Gals'
Kathy and Kathy
Speaking just above a whisper (and typing very lightly), I'll share that we may actually be starting our adventure just as the snow begins to fly! Though the last few months have definitely been a lesson in patience and perseverance, things have worked out the way they were obviously supposed to, and we are now
Well, we officially shut down operation of the Bee-Line Express as of April 30th, so it's been a full week not having to answer the business phone. That by itself is a joy of retirement for me. I'm not one...
