The Hope Building

[alt_molly]

My goodness, I have been ever so busy; no wonder I've been neglecting my journal.

First of all, and this is really splendid news: I have some new tenants! My contacts with the barter network have been extremely fruitful. We have several artist spaces reserved, and I've just finalised a contract with a woman and her daughter, simply fabulous cooks, who have been experimenting with their recipes and want to take the first steps toward opening their own bakery. So they will be making use of our commercial kitchen, and offering their cakes for sale at the small shop in the building, the Hope Emporium.

I've decided to take the plunge and schedule a Grand Opening, in hopes that I might snare at least some Christmas shoppers. After much hard thought, I've chosen December 21, the anniversary of Arthur's death. Of course it's late in the month (I will probably have limited hours when the building will be open through the first part of the month anyway), but it just seemed right to me. I know it's going to be a dreadfully difficult day anyway, and my goodness, I simply thought it would do me good to keep busy. It's also the day that Ron and Ginny will be returning from Hogwarts. I will work something out. Perhaps I can hire some additional help for the day and when the time comes, I'll slip away to meet the train.

Ginny and Ron, would you mind lingering in New London a bit see the building before we head back to the Burrow?

Comments

Order Only: Private message to Pansy Parkinson

[alt_molly]

Fred and George suggested I write to you, dear, because they thought you might have some suggestions about ads for the Grand Opening. I think it would be a good idea to place one in the Daily Prophet. Perhaps one for the building and one for Weasley Wizarding Whizbangs, and they might be designed to be complementary? What do you think?

Re: Order Only: Private message to Pansy Parkinson

[alt_pansy]

Of course. I can work up something.

I was thinking we could say "We're part of the Hope Emporium family, come by and give us a visit!" on the WWW one, and "Home of the Weasley Wizarding Wizbangs" on the other. You know, to make it sound all sweet and homey and family-friendly. And maybe we could either get them to put both side by side, or have arrows pointing to one another.

We've got a particular typeface we use for our adverts, I'll make sure it's used when the Hope Emporium advert mentions us. And you might want to think a bit about things like that for you, too. I'll put you in touch with an artist I know who'd be good for it -- his stuff was a bit too simple for Wizbangs, but I think he'd be able to come up with a straightforward design that you can use for signs and stamps and cards and things.

Private message to Molly Weasley

[alt_bill]

I think it's a great way to honour Dad on that day, Mum. You can count on me being there to lend a hand.

Order Only

[alt_kingsley]

Molly, are you planning on selling art in this shop then? I'm thinking of several I know at Sherwood who are definitely knacky at woodcarving. Merlin knows they have enough practice, sitting around the camp fires at night. I can ask around, both there and at Aldrich. There may be others with wares to offer, as long as you can hide in the books.

[alt_ron]

Yeah, of course we want to see it, Mum.

Besides, it's not like we'd get fed if we just went straight home instead!

[alt_ginny]

Of course I don't mind, Mum. I can't wait to see it.