For Sale

I know, I need to stop looking at diners for sale right now. I'm not quite there yet...but I still had to share this very special one, for sale for $12,000 and located in storage in Lancaster, PA. It felt so meant2b.
I mean, can't you just see it? And here's the part where I have maybe a little too much "vision" and not enough practicality, because this is what it looks like now:

...and that still isn't stopping me from thinking it is absolutely perfect. This one is gonna be hard to let go.

'wich craft

I found this book through a blog post featured on tastespotting, and I'm trying to refrain from driving to the nearest Barnes and Noble and devouring it (get it?!) haha. I really love a nicely put-together sandwich and if they're made with locally grown veggies, locally raised meat and fresh bread, I think everyone else will like them too.

Update: I got the chance to check this book out at Barnes and Noble and I will definitely be adding it to my wishlist. Not only is it a great guidebook to sandwich building in general, it also explains how the business was started and the challenges it faced. Definitely want to visit 'WichCraft on my next trip to NY.

Progress

So far all 3 of you readers chose cloth napkins with a resounding yes. I voted too, but I'm not counting myself :)
That's cool because it brings me to my next idea, which is to make branded cloth napkins (screenprinted with my diner's logo) to use and possibly sell (if the logo is pretty enough...which it totally will be).
Also... I've added a new restaurant to visit to the list: Flow in Jim Thorpe.

I've actually wanted to check this place out for a while, my coworker Pam's son opened it a few years ago but has since withdrawn involvement. Kevin and his wife Sara are farmers and bakers who sell their wares at the local Emmaus Farmers Market (which I'm embarrassed to say I have never been to!). They even have a blog! Pam offered to introduce me to them at one of their wednesday evening CSA potlucks, so I'll probably be going with her in 2 weeks. I'm really excited to meet this couple since it seems like we are interested in some similar pursuits, and I'd love to see how their whole operation runs. P.S.- visit their site, their bread looks amazing! Worth a Sunday afternoon trip to Emmaus in my book.
I just checked out the menus for Flow and since their are some great trails nearby, I think it'll make a fun day trip for an upcoming weekend. I'll see if I can rope some people into going with me and report back.

cloth napkins

It will create more laundry than I care to think about, but I love using cloth napkins at home and I'd like to use them in my diner. But first- please tell me what you think:

poll by twiigs.com

*Photo from this etsy store.

on the side

Lately I've been really trying to think hard about what I like/don't like when I dine out.
One thing I hate hate hate is potato chips with a sandwich. I don't eat potato chips, and I don't want them on my plate. It doesn't feel like a bonus, it's a sloppy side. I really want to come up with a low-cost alternative: small, interesting sides that feel like an addition or bonus to a small lunch or sandwich.
Here are some ideas:
-A selection of homemade pickles (or pickled items like okra, cauliflower, etc...)
photo by flickr user disneymike

-Cold crop Coleslaw
-Carrot salad
-Black bean/corn salad
-Seasonal fruit (a wedge of watermelon, sliced apple, peaches...)
-Homemade sweet potato chips
-Veggie pasta salad
-Butternut squash/kidney bean salad
I like the idea of serving 2 or 3 of these in tiny dishes next to the entree, so people can have a taste of a few different things. It makes a more balanced meal and feels more special to me.

Back to School

Next week I'm going to my first small business workshop at Lehigh University.
It feels awesome to be doing something proactive about this instead of waiting till I'm less busy or have more money. I think that with starting a business, like a lot of other things in life, you just have to go for it.
I'm childless, debt-free, and healthy, there's no better time.

classifieds

I know it's a tad too premature to be scanning craigslist for listings but look at this place for sale:

It's got potential, right? And it comes with customers!