Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Finally, an answer on the fond de commerce

It's been a tumultuous path....ups and downs....highs and lows...good news followed by bad news followed by good news.....followed by more waiting....and at last, we have the answer.

In the end, the boutique/café/kitchen I had hoped to set up in the 14th arrondissement in Paris is a disappointing non. It's not for lack of trying, I can assure you. I've had lots of support on the effort for which I'm deeply touched and forever grateful.

We crossed many hurdles on this little journey, but there was one hurdle that could not be surpassed, and that is to receive the landlord's approval to upgrade their facility. It's really mind-boggling to us - this thought that we offered to put in a respectable investment into the landlord's property to improve it, and to bring it up to hygiene standards for my business, something that they require in their own contract...(urgh) - and he said no to the offer.

Not only did he say no, but he said it s-l-o-w-l-y. Couldn't he have just told us that two months ago, straight away??

I suppose it's for the best. This was my immediate reaction. Who knows what future problems we may be avoiding....with the renovations work (I've heard a horror story or two), or with the unresponsive landlord himself (if we needed to ask anything from him, including trying to sell the place ourselves someday...)

OK, so I've got this great, big disappointment on my hands. And I feel like I've wasted a million years to get to nowhere....except we have gained valuable experience, and learned a few things along the way. Isn't that always what we say in situations like this??!! Well, there is a thread of truth to it!

I'm back on the hunt...looking for a good fond de commerce. There's even more on the market at the moment.....so, stay tuned, we'll see what happens next! All good things in their own time...

:/dma

6 comments:

john said...

Good luck, sounds like a great venture your on. Wish you lots of success. My friend jost lost his restaurant to a greedy landlord, please be carefull

Stacey said...

just stumbled upon your blog via Meet Me at Mikes.
My husband and I have owned and operated various retail enterprises over the years and have tried to start various others-and have had the exact experience with landlords that you describe.
Frustrating and incredible that they couldn't see the value of improving their property. At the time, it was a huge disappointment to not get what we THOUGHT was what we wanted...now years later in hindsight, we see that if we had gotten what we thought we wanted, it would have not allowed us to have various other wonderful experiences.
So I guess what I am saying is, one doesnt always know what the bigger plan or picture is...
good luck to you!

girlcookinparis said...

John, thanks for the warning! Will try to find a good landlord!

Stacey, thank you so much for sharing your experience. I appreciate it...and I see your point. Maybe what we thought we wanted isn't actually what we should be doing....I will definitely keep that in mind, and your comment brings a breath of hope to the picture! It sounds like it has worked out well for you, and so, perhaps it will also work out for us too someday!

all the best, diane

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Anonymous said...

yeah. informative :))