...I want to own a little corner shop. Nothing extravagent, not trying to be the top of the game, hopefully having enough regulars to keep me afloat. I say regulars because this isn’t just any old corner shop, it’ll also have a cafe corner, with squishy saggy seats, and big beanbags, maybe even a rocking chair – because those are simply awesome. Maybe even a rocking hammock chair, because those are even more awesome. Basically, a corner of my little corner shop will be dedicated to comfort, pulling out all the stops for my regulars to be able to drop in after work, and sink into the comfiest chair with a nice cuppa. Of course I will occasionally be one of these sinkers. Near the corner I will have a little shelf, stuffed full of literary delights. In the evening there will be huge, warped candles on the coffee tables, all shapes & sizes. On the walls around this corner will be the works of local artists & inspiring quotes (these can also be added to by the customers).
I will be serving all kinds of yummy good things to the ‘sinkers’, all kinds of hot drinks & smoothies, both come with or without an alcoholic boost (but that’s probably all the boozing that’ll take place). I’ll also sell cakes, sandwiches, pastries & such, only little nibbles, but very tasty ones. I will strive to use organic, fairtrade ingredients, maybe even buying directly from the producers of the ingredients.
In the rest of the corner shop (this is what makes it a shop) will be shelves bulging with interesting little trinkets from all the countries I intend to visit, creating links with the local communities – basically, buying all their bits & bobs, then selling it for more back home & sending them a nice, chunky %. I will also keep in contact with these communities, and share their stories with the people who come in to buy such trinkets. I also want to have information ready for any hopeful volunteers, who may be inspired by the stories, for sustainable projects in such communities (such as WWOOFing, or TEFL).. &if the hopefuls are successful, their stories will also be shared.
I don’t want this to be like having a job, more a place to share experiences & hobbies, &to have a nice cuppa! I want to grow old managing this little corner shop, pottering around making cookies & hopefully doing a little bit to help communities everywhere. I doubt it’ll make any kinds of fortunes, just enough to live upstairs. There is so much that can be done with such a space, I could go on forever. I share my ideas because I’d be happy for others to use them if they liked it, I reckon it’d be a fun way to live out my days, it’s not a competition.
Well, that’s my dream, and it probably won’t happen for many years, but one day… when I grow up :)