225 Laura Street: A Downtown Core Renovation Project

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

Once every Friday night, there will be a burning of a book written by one of the right-wing and/or religious charlatan blowhard idiots who've embarrassed bookstore shelves and reason for years -- truth seeking intellectuals such as Bill O'Reilly, Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck, Sean Hannity, Ann Coulter, Pat Robertson, Joel O'steen, Jerry Falwell, Oral Roberts, Jimmy Swaggart ... etc. 

Hahahahaha...   some people have no sense of humor.

I'm not really one for cos-play, but I think it would add an air of mystery and excitement if we could all 'dress up' for the weekly, ritual book burning. 

I for one have a great idea in mind using some juxtaposition of a Nazi SS Officer and Captain America costumes.  Would it be too much if I held a Quran in one hand and a rosary in the other?  Anyhow...  get back to us on the 'Theme Night' idea and I'm wishing you well in your endeavor. 

Great idea.

[The_Choose_1]

Once every Friday night, there will be a burning of a book written by one of the right-wing and/or religious charlatan blowhard idiots who've embarrassed bookstore shelves and reason for years -- truth seeking intellectuals such as Bill O'Reilly, Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck, Sean Hannity, Ann Coulter, Pat Robertson, Joel O'steen, Jerry Falwell, Oral Roberts, Jimmy Swaggart ... etc. 

Hahahahaha...   some people have no sense of humor.

I'm not really one for cos-play, but I think it would add an air of mystery and excitement if we could all 'dress up' for the weekly, ritual book burning. 

I for one have a great idea in mind using some juxtaposition of a Nazi SS Officer and Captain America costumes.  Would it be too much if I held a Quran in one hand and a rosary in the other?  Anyhow...  get back to us on the 'Theme Night' idea and I'm wishing you well in your endeavor. 

Great idea.

Sense of Humor reread his post. He sounds a little off base?

[ronchamblin]

Sounds awesome, Ron. As one of the posters here who's been angling for a "book bar" space like that, I'm stoked. I hope you're kidding about the book burnings.

Sorta kidding.  The smell of a burning book would not be good.  But the point of wanting to burn is there.

Sounds awesome, Ron. As one of the posters here who's been angling for a "book bar" space like that, I'm stoked. I hope you're kidding about the book burnings.

Great update, and I wish every success.  Except for the fascist censorship comments, Savonarola.

Censorship? ... just wanted to align myself as apposing the referred extremists.  Savonarola? I presume you mean the religiously insane Friar who was hanged and then burned in late 15th century Florence.  Remember the Italian Giordano Bruno ... burned alive in 1600?  Powerful stuff.

Thanks for the update. I have a couple of questions. Have you started the process of obtaining the loan for the renovations, or even just informal discussions, and if so, how receptive have the lenders been?  Also, can you opine on what the impact would be on your project and your existing business, if the Laura Trio was completed as Steve Atkins had planned?   

I have accounts with four banks, two of which have expressed interest in doing a renovation loan.  I am currently in the process leaving Bank of American completely ... shifting three real estate loans away from these vultures, as I've discovered that they've created, apparently through training, a culture of ill will, deception, and intentional delays under the guise of accommodating your needs ... all the while making decisions to actually put you down, especially if you are weak and vulnerable ... then waiting like vultures to devour the remains.  I will never recommend BOA to anyone, but will always recommend using the smaller, local banks when possible.  Long live local banks.  Death to BOA.

The Trio?  I think that the Barnett / Trio projects, if completed, would be great boon to all residents and businesses in the core, including mine.  Its all about foot traffic ... people actually working and living in the core.  So ... yes, for the good of the downtown core, anyone with any influence, should attempt to see the Atkin's projects through to completion.

You are so funny Non-Redneck.

The_Choose_1 ... guess I am a little off base.  Some of us struggle ... on the edge ... do'in the best we can.   

[vicupstate]

BOA is selling branches and accounts in NE South Carolina to a smaller bank.  It is completely vacating my hometown and the entire region.   While selling a bank branch is quite common, I have never heard of selling accounts, particularly in an area that the selling bank has had a presence and dominant position in.  Does anyone know why they would be doing this?  I thought the big banks only wanted to get bigger.   

[The_Choose_1]

Sounds awesome, Ron. As one of the posters here who's been angling for a "book bar" space like that, I'm stoked. I hope you're kidding about the book burnings.

Sorta kidding.  The smell of a burning book would not be good.  But the point of wanting to burn is there.

Sounds awesome, Ron. As one of the posters here who's been angling for a "book bar" space like that, I'm stoked. I hope you're kidding about the book burnings.

Great update, and I wish every success.  Except for the fascist censorship comments, Savonarola.

Censorship? ... just wanted to align myself as apposing the referred extremists.  Savonarola? I presume you mean the religiously insane Friar who was hanged and then burned in late 15th century Florence.  Remember the Italian Giordano Bruno ... burned alive in 1600?  Powerful stuff.

Thanks for the update. I have a couple of questions. Have you started the process of obtaining the loan for the renovations, or even just informal discussions, and if so, how receptive have the lenders been?  Also, can you opine on what the impact would be on your project and your existing business, if the Laura Trio was completed as Steve Atkins had planned?   

I have accounts with four banks, two of which have expressed interest in doing a renovation loan.  I am currently in the process leaving Bank of American completely ... shifting three real estate loans away from these vultures, as I've discovered that they've created, apparently through training, a culture of ill will, deception, and intentional delays under the guise of accommodating your needs ... all the while making decisions to actually put you down, especially if you are weak and vulnerable ... then waiting like vultures to devour the remains.  I will never recommend BOA to anyone, but will always recommend using the smaller, local banks when possible.  Long live local banks.  Death to BOA.

The Trio?  I think that the Barnett / Trio projects, if completed, would be great boon to all residents and businesses in the core, including mine.  Its all about foot traffic ... people actually working and living in the core.  So ... yes, for the good of the downtown core, anyone with any influence, should attempt to see the Atkin's projects through to completion.

You are so funny Non-Redneck.

The_Choose_1 ... guess I am a little off base.  Some of us struggle ... on the edge ... do'in the best we can.   

Good to know and I will keep praying for you. In other news I see on your website you have a "FOREST STREET WAREHOUSE" is this near the new and improved Brooklyn area of Jacksonville Fl off Riverside Ave? Because if it is this could be your third store. I'm sure you have heard of Powell's in Portland Oregon."Powell's Books operates four stores in Portland, Oregon, and one in nearby Beaverton. We also have a number of warehouses and book sources locally, nationally, and internationally." And don't you have a Daughter & Son in law that has a Bookmine in Napa? I mean Wow it looks as if you're becoming the Powell's of the East Coast of America!

[ronchamblin]

The_Choose_1

[/quote]Good to know and I will keep praying for you. In other news I see on your website you have a "FOREST STREET WAREHOUSE" is this near the new and improved Brooklyn area of Jacksonville Fl off Riverside Ave? Because if it is this could be your third store. I'm sure you have heard of Powell's in Portland Oregon."Powell's Books operates four stores in Portland, Oregon, and one in nearby Beaverton. We also have a number of warehouses and book sources locally, nationally, and internationally." And don't you have a Daughter & Son in law that has a Bookmine in Napa? I mean Wow it looks as if you're becoming the Powell's of the East Coast of America!
[/quote]

Thanks for the idea The_Choose_1 ... Actually, I've always expanded reluctantly ... waiting until the pressure of business practically forces it.  Although I've had brief glimpses of doing a retail operation at the Forest building, you've sorta prompted me to engage the idea with more energy.  I would place certain categories there, freeing up the other locations to expand crowded categories.  For example, hardcover fiction is a category requiring a large area to display, so we currently warehouse hundreds of thousands of titles.

The good thing is that the Forest Street building is paid for, along with the 225 Laura building, so the total monthly payment pressure is removed somewhat.  So .... if you see the Forest Street open for retail in a few months .. or within a year or two ... it will be partially because of you. 

[The_Choose_1]

The_Choose_1

Good to know and I will keep praying for you. In other news I see on your website you have a "FOREST STREET WAREHOUSE" is this near the new and improved Brooklyn area of Jacksonville Fl off Riverside Ave? Because if it is this could be your third store. I'm sure you have heard of Powell's in Portland Oregon."Powell's Books operates four stores in Portland, Oregon, and one in nearby Beaverton. We also have a number of warehouses and book sources locally, nationally, and internationally." And don't you have a Daughter & Son in law that has a Bookmine in Napa? I mean Wow it looks as if you're becoming the Powell's of the East Coast of America!
[/quote]Thanks 

Thanks for the idea The_Choose_1 ... Actually, I've always expanded reluctantly ... waiting until the pressure of business practically forces it.  Although I've had brief glimpses of doing a retail operation at the Forest building, you've sorta prompted me to engage the idea with more energy.  I would place certain categories there, freeing up the other locations to expand crowded categories.  For example, hardcover fiction is a category requiring a large area to display, so we currently warehouse hundreds of thousands of titles.

The good thing is that the Forest Street building is paid for, along with the 225 Laura building, so the total monthly payment pressure is removed somewhat.  So .... if you see the Forest Street open for retail in a few months .. or within a year or two ... it will be partially because of you. 
[/quote]

[ProjectMaximus]

Ron,

That location is close to where Peterbrooke is building their new production facility, right? This would be awesome!! Two storied local institutions on the same block. Too bad Intuition didnt go in across the street like they were thinking at one time...