Well, opening did not go as well as I had hoped. The point of sale system was finally configured and setup, thanks to Bee Consulting from Auburn the Thursday before Saturdays opening. We had to frantically run around and make had written labels with prices on every item. Nothing was in the POS system, so each itme was hand typed in during check-out which increased the time quilters were in line at the check-out. The only one that had more training on how to run the cash register was me; others had been shown once, but they hoped cutting would be easier. Then the only one that knew how to cut fabric off the bolt was me. Being the kind of person that I am, I even practiced cutting fabric before the store opened. I had it all planned out how to do everything. Things sure are different depending which side of the cutting table you are on. Since I could not do both stations at one time, Gertie, with the help of my "Aunt Kay" was able to work the cash register. We had a line of quitlers 10 deep waiting for fabric to be cut. Everyone said they did not mind waiting and we had a great time passing the already cut bolts back through the line so everyone that saw what I was cutting & wanted to make the same project could be the next one cut. I was so busy getting the store ready to open, that I did not know that Bloomington Quilt Show was going on the same weekend we opened. Everyone thought that would adversely affect us, but it turns out it really helped. Carloads of quilters from all over heard about the new store in Jacksonville and they all came to us! Word of mouth is faster than the Internet! When the last customer left and we had closed for the day we all looked like well used rag dolls. The excitment and adrenaline had left us by that time. It was decided to just go home and rest. Sunday we could come back and try to get the store back into some kind of order.

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