We've got the greatest customers!

Hi, Ladies. This is Mary Lou, the owner of Novel Approach. I want to thank you for your great comments. Many deserve serious consideration. Some, like the sonic machine, aren't to practical.

As for stock, have no fear--we will continue to carry as much paper as we always have (and maybe even a little more). That goes for embellishments, etc., too.

I think it's great that y'all are so interested in our new color scheme so I'll give you a little hint. We are definitely not choosing hot pink, bright orange, shocking red, or any other in-your face-colors. Novel Approach has had a classy, soft look, and we don't want to lose that. There will be color on the walls (other than white or beige) and the carpet will be an updated version of what we had. We think it is very tasteful and pretty.

Keep your comments coming, especially those with prayers. We need all the help we can get. -- Mary Lou

Demolition Has Begun

WhooHoo.......Good thing this isn't "smell-o-vision", because it stinks in here! Our demo crew arrived just in time to start tearing down all the muck. Ladies(and gents) let me tell you there was mold starting to grow even under the carpet....blah :{

All that stuff that we kept saying we would get to on another day. Well these past few days has been "those days". The Recovery Crew (Melissa, Sue, and Karen) has been hard at work sorting and purging all the items we honestly don't know why we have kept. It was so liberating. Now we feel Ike should at least left us a voucher for a SPA DAY; but we haven't found that yet.

On a side note we want to thank a few of our customers who "just showed up" to help us out the other day (you know who you are), and The Scrapbook Junkie for sharing our troubles on her blog. That's how the local folks stay in business- by sharing the love.

Speaking of sharing the love, we ask that you do the same on our blog. The Remodeling Crew (Mary Lou, Melissa, Sue and Karen) has started the process of color choices, etc. so don't forget to share your thoughts on what you would like to see with us in the comments section below. OK, now I am on to get ready for work......

We are "blogging" now!

We have finally jumped on the "blogging" bandwagon. We felt this would be a more convient way of you to keep up with the store chit chat than if we kept sending out e-mails. You will still get your monthly newsletter with classes (when they resume) and other events, but this will just be a way you can check up on what is new in the store, progress on the rebuilding, new merchandise, etc. Please be patient with us as we learn the in's and out's of this new tool. We love comments, so please leave us some love :)

Search and Rescue (well maybe not rescue)

(This is a re-post of the e-mail we sent out on 9-20-08)

Once again I must say "thank you" to all of our wonderful customers who have sent thoughts, prayers and offers of help during this ordeal; it is truly appreciated. I thought I would give everyone a quick assessment on our progress with the search and rescue of the store. In the front room, the disaster team found that it has sustained critical and career ending injuries (see photos). All of those papers involved will truly be missed. The stamp room came out smelling like a rose, or at least not rain water and the crop room will need some new carpet, but other than that they are in stable condition at this time. We are currently at a stand still on progress while we get assessments from our landlord and insurance company.

I do have a mission for you, should you choose to accept it, WE WANT INPUT!!! Our customers are what make our store wonderful, so we want to know your opinion on what you would like to see go back in it (orange paint, purple shag carpeting, big screen tv, live band daily, etc.), ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING will be considered. This is where you shop and we want to make you feel at home. It is very simple, just click on the "comments button" below and make out your list (even of things you might think we won't like), you can even comment on other customers comments. I will pass all of them along to the Disaster Rebuilding Team, who will then make their decisions. Act quickly, we are planning NOW!

Again, thanks for ALL of your support during this ordeal.