10/22/2024
okay. where to start? it is impossible to know but i will give it my best.
it can be hard to know when to call it quits and when to name when something isn’t working. i think collectively us small business owners can wear the tough times like a badge of honour. we are all in it together, it is a certain kind of lifestyle that we have subscribed to, and we do it because we can’t imagine doing anything else. the real tough part is knowing how to identify when this sense of pride is overriding the truth of the matter, and i’ve been forced to confront that idea a lot in the last month. my truth is that punchbowl cannot sustain itself in its current model. these past few weeks have come with profound challenges, ones that we were a little too shaky to withstand, and i’ve had to take an honest look at what our future holds. the direction the business has taken is already so different than its original vision, and the physical space simply does not align with it anymore.
punchbowl existed as a business before the shop and it will exist after the shop. it was a beautiful chapter, but it didn’t quite fit, and i am at peace with that. having the opportunity to forge such strong bonds with folks from the neighborhood, some of which visited everyday of the week, was worth all the stress and then some. and to have a reason to invite folks down to this special part of southside rd has meant so much to me. it has been such a gift to know you all and i am sorry that it had to end so soon. to my staff, vendors, family, and friends (new and old!) - thank you for help shaping this space into the light, joy-filled place it has become known for. i can’t believe how lucky i am to have had the chance to experience this with you.
we will unfortunately be closed this week, but there *will* be a small parting party on saturday. nothing fancy, just some snacks and bubbly to bid farewell. this will be the last chance to visit before we close for good. abrupt, i know, but this is simply how the cookie crumbled.
there’s much more to say, including some logistical things that i am sure some of you are pondering. for now, please indulge me in this happy memory slideshow. i love you all!!
