Valerie:

I feel like finally things are starting to move along for us. Today is the DRC meeting, that's a preliminary meeting to determine all the factors involved with our application. It means that we are half way to the final big decision moment.

Last week we sent out a detailed letter to everyone within 300 ft of the location. We explained what our concept of the bar will be and included a self addressed envelop with letter of support. It sounded like such a simple concept...I don't know how politicians do it. Our living room became a pile of stamps, letters, and addresses. Throw in a printer breakdown and two trips to Office Max and it was an exciting 2 days in the Chelley household.

We have been getting replies back already. Last night there was a signed letter of support by the oldest businessman in town. Our names I'm sure are strangers to him but he still sent it back. If someone who has been involved in Key West business for decades is still encouraging new business that says something. It's always nice to know you have support of your friends and Key West family behind you. They are the ones that have stuck by you through many difference adventures in your life. There is something warming about people taking the time to send back their support when they haven't meet you. And that is Key West.

Valerie:

I've realized the past couple of days how worried I am about the conditional use application we have in for the place. It's starting to affect me: my nerves are shot, haven't slept a full night in awhile, and paranoia has sunk in.

This whole bar is basically dependent on one action, that is getting the planning board to approve our conditional use for a bar in a spot that was originally a retail shop. We're taught to believe that we are in control of our own destiny and fate. Nope. Our life will change according to the decision rendered by seven members of the community. Before it gets to that point our application will be throughly dissected by all departments in the city of Key West including Ada, Harc (historic buildings), parking, utilities, traffic, etc. Everyone we have dealt with so far has been very helpful but it's the idea of it all. The waiting for the one decision that could prevent us from pushing forward with our dream.

From the horror stories people love to tell us we have gathered that the littlest thing can put a kink in the works or worse stop everything. We letting the stress and paranoia overtake us. Clayton was out saturday and chatting up someone who had recently gone through the process. He stated that he didn't believe we should be approved. That sent us in complete panic mode. 24 hours later I'm writing a frantic email to our representative in the planning board. She reassures that if any problems arise she'll get a hold of us. I have a feeling she'll be changing her email address before this is all up. I regret that we may end up this highly annoying couple with no patience. We need to Relax..

Clayton:
Well this is my 5 1\4 bar I have built, or should I say when and if this wine bar is complete it will be 5 1/4.

All my other bars I have built in my homeland of New Zealand. I always felt I had artistic ability but no way of showing it. I can't draw, can't build, can't sculpt and so on but I can do all those things in my head. The only way I felt iI could create was to build bars. Building bars in N Z was a walk in the park compared the hurdles I am facing with this simple little wine bar. The one thing I really admired about America was it was always portrayed as the land of opportunity. That maybe so but it's not without what feels like trip up land mines to discourage you from trying too hard.
We had to sign a lease before we could apply for a building permit. To sign a lease for a shop on a busy main street of a tourist town is as you can imagine very expensive, but the process does not start without this first step. So I told Valerie now there is no turning back. Stay tuned for the weeks and what looks like months of hurdles our little wine bar endures before we open in hopefully the not too distant future. I just hope we don't go broke before we manage to get the doors open for the first day.

Valerie:

This is the spot we hope for everything to happen. This will be our little spot in paradise. As a bartender for 12 years and a big fan of wine this could be it for me. Key West has already been my home almost 8 years, I had already made the decision that I never want to see snow again and island living suited me.

I recently helped my husband start a t-shirt line dirtydogtees.com. The next step was a space to sell tees. As soon as we saw the space all our eyes saw was a wine bar. That's what happens when two bartenders get together. We can see already...The front has to become a porch for patrons to comfortably people watch as they sip a nice red. The colors will be warm and Mediterranean feeling with rows of nice bottles of wine. It will be the place to come to read the paper in the nice morning light, enjoy a leisurely glass of Cabernet and espresso in the afternoon, and unwind in the evening with some lively bar conversation at night. And of course wine. Good wine.

That is the easy part. We had 4 good days of imaging our fabulous place and planning which vintage to serve at our gala like openings. Then we were told of conditional use permits, ada requirements, historic or harc approvals, seat fees, occupational licenses...it goes on. Our simple plan continues to take on new twists and turns. It's only been 2 weeks and I can foresee months of drama and frustration. But I'm still planning the wine list in my head.