We're getting good BUZZ!

Hi, everone! Things are really moving now!

We plan to open our Danbury satellite location, inside Homestead Embroidery & Gifts, by April 15. I have the moulding and matting samples ready to go, and I'll be training Deb's staff next week. I can't wait! Our Stone Lake satellite at The TimberShed will open on May 3.

For the past two weeks, I have been running a "teaser" ad in the Wild Rivers Advertiser, which I'll continue right into May. I've been getting phone calls about my big news, and people have been saying really good things about our two new locations. The biggest question I'm hearing is, "Who is going to run your other stores?"

Let me explain how satellite locations work in framing: Customers who live in the Stone Lake and Danbuy areas will be able to place their orders close to home. Danburyans will go to Homestead Embroidery & Gifts, and Stone Lakers will go to The TimberShed. The staff at these locations will help the framing customer choose mats and frames for their work, price the order, and take the deposit.

Each week, I'll collect the orders and deposits, then build the frames and cut the mats back in Spooner, in my frame shop. Once the orders are complete, I will deliver them back to their respective satellite locations. At the end of every month, I will send each store a commission check based on their sales that month. It's a snap!

With the price of gas these days, customers who live out of town are now traveling less and less. By opening two satellite locations, I am going to the customer, providing added service and value for their money.

Stop in and say hello the next time you're in Spooner--my Spooner location on River Street (Hwy 63) will remain the flagship store of Black Iris Gallery & Custom Framing.

JoAnn