Heat, Phone, CB1

So it looks like the landlord has very limited responsibility for the heating system in the store, since it's a commercial space. We'll have to figure out something ourselves and spend some unexpected money. I feel like this is my one big blunder so far - should have thoroughly checked out the heat and electricity before committing to the space. Lesson learned.

Chris just came by and looked over my shoulder here. "Not that big a blunder," he said. He proposes getting another gas space heater for the front of the store, like what we have in the back, and having someone hook it up to the same gas line. OK, we'll look into it - thanks, Answer Man!

It's been hard to work in the shop recently because it's been so cold. In fact yesterday it was warmer outside, so I worked out front scraping yet more stuff off the windows. It was fun because lots of neighbors stopped by to ask questions. One guy requested "big chunks" of parmigiano. Right on, we can do that!

Verizon finally came to put in the DSL line but it was unsuccessful because all of the phone switchers on the block are messed up (typical Verizon, typical Greenpoint). So they'll have to fix the boxes and then come back again to drop the line, and to fix the phone line, which is crossed with another local line. The phone guy mentioned, "Everyone in Greenpoint and his brother is a handyman." Definitely true. Every space that I looked at, and my own house, have layers of slightly bizarre amateur renovations. Like in the store, it's kind of hard to figure out why certain walls are where they are, what electrical wiring is actually in use, etc. What a mess.

I went with a friend to check out the local community board meeting, to see what the liquor license review process was like, and be prepared for our own hearings. It was surprisingly simple. There were dozens of establishments on the list of places looking for new or renewed licenses. they opened the floor for comments and questions and objections, and there was just one question. So hopefully the review will be as smooth when we are on the list - next month for Eastern District.