In the beginning

I've come to the realization that I have everything (everything substantially relevant, in my opinion) it takes to be the perfect women. I'm educated. I'm independent. I'm gainfully employed. I have a bar. That's right a bar. What more could anyone want? (Please don't answer that.)

Well, bar might note be the best description for it. It's more of a pub. Okay, that might also be a stretch. Let's call it what it is--a beer joint. A beer joint because there is no kitchen so we don't serve food. In Mississippi, without a kitchen and percentage of the income from food, one cannot get a liquor license.

This small beer joint located in the historic district (not the good street) of Columbus, Mississippi was opened in 1952. At least that's what the sign out front says. Some locals say that it' been around longer.

I knew the bar well before I decided to re-open it. It had been a place I rarely visited as an adult when I lived in Columbus--the town where I grew up--but visited often on return visits. I should mention here that I live in California and the bar is in Mississippi. (A long story which will be addressed later.) The bar had been closed for about a year when I made the decision to venture into the world of late nights and cold brews. I was certain that this would be a relatively easy, turn-key start up business. It's not like I was starting from scratch. Or so I thought.


The lease was signed, licenses and permits applied for. All was done and the only thing left was to get the key and hire a cleaning crew to go in, clean up, and stock the inventory.  My heart sank when I receive a one line text from my bar manager (the most awesome son a mother could have.) "This place should be condemned."

That one line was followed by these photos.

The roof was leaking. Ceiling tiles had fallen. BTW, that's not a tin ceiling.
It's a Styrofoam tile ceiling from completely covered in nicotine.

That's not heavy dust in the pictures. That mold! Long, hot, humid Mississippi summers and a leaking roof during the rainy seasons had resulted in mold everywhere.

The previous tenants had simply closed the door and walked away.
Beer was still in the coolers and trash in the cans.
It was a real assault on the eyes that the previous tenets had
painted the place Kelley green. GAK!

The condition was almost a show-stopper. But, as is my nature,
I decided that I was up for the challenge.

Putting on my "Project Manager" hat, tapping all my resources (awesome son, especially), mold remediation done, and maxing a credit card; three and one-half weeks later, this is what she looked like.

Elbow Room
Columbus, MS