It's been quite some time since my last post.  Sorry for the lack of communication, but I hope to remedy that now.

The retail space is doing fine, not as well as I'd hoped, but about what I'd expected. Flamingo Island was dead for the first 6 weeks after I moved in, but things are starting to pick up slowly.  This also was expected.  Everyone, management and long time dealers alike, keep telling me that "season" is when you make all of your sales - sales volume that more than makes up for the dead-slow months.    For the uninitiated, "season" is when all of the snowbirds come back; those who only visit for a week or two and those with homes here who stay for the entire winter.  I've heard several schools of thought as to when "season" starts - from as early as October to as late as January.  I'm hoping the former is true!  I am definitely seeing more shoppers on the Island, mostly lookers for now, so maybe they just trickle in from now to the beginning of the year at an increasing rate.

While sales have been slow, I'm managing to sell just enough to cover my rent at this point.  That doesn't mean I'm not busy!  I'm working furiously on painting enough inventory for "season", testing the water with different signs to see what resonates with people.  Lots of people look - stop and read every sign I have.  Some are looking for a particular theme, but most are just entertained.  I get lots of suggestions and have incorporated some of them into my arsenal.  MAN CAVE was a popular suggestion so I've designed a sign with heavy, masculine lettering.  Someone this past weekend wanted the female equivalent but didn't know what that would be.  I did some searching and found lots of options:  Ladies Lounge or Lair, She Cave, The Nest, Cougar Den, Estrogeniverse, Girls Club, etc. but settled on HEN HOUSE.  I like the Nest, but it almost seems too sweet and ethereal.  I love Estrogeniverse, but do you think people would be offended?  I may just give She Cave a try as well - no doubt about the meaning there.

Below are some updated pictures showing my multitude of signs.  I welcome your suggestions on lay outs, fonts and sayings, and if you're looking for holiday gifts, well I do custom work! );