T minus 9. We’ve dealt with many things in preparation. Only one thing remains. The room. It is the elephant in the middle of our house as we come down the home stretch. In fact, there could very well BE an elephant in the middle of her room. Who would know? Eileen and Scout will be tackling the clothes packing some time this week. I think I am going to try to schedule some gum surgery for myself that day. I am quite sure that will be much more fun.
I’m going to wait until after she’s safely stowed in that shoebox room of hers at Emerson College before I enter Scout’s room. Now that it will be vacant, there are opportunities! And I’m not just talking guest room. I’m not even suggesting that her sister Kit move in there. I”m thinking revenue.
I look to suburban New Jersey real estate trends to guide me. My first thought was Starbucks. How convenient would that be? Just stroll across the hall in the morning. They’d have all that soothing music playing. And I bet they’d get to know me so I wouldn’t have to tell a total stranger that my name was Joan and hear her shout “Tall Sugar Free Non Fat Latte for Joan” at the top of her lungs.
But then I realized that I’ve been noticing that Starbucks have not been multiplying like rabbits these days. Something else is happening in my town. Everywhere I turn there is a new BANK. At one main intersection in town there are seven (yes, 7) banks within walking distance. And now it seems like they are just making up the names. They don’t even sound like real banks. Haven Bank. Has anyone heard of that one? And my new favorite: Boiling Springs National Bank. That one is very close to my house and I swear I have not seen anyone go in or out since its Grand Opening.
So I could lease Scout’s room to a bank. But there are huge downsides. I don’t want my kids to be that close to our money. Seems very risky.
But this week, I had an epiphany. There was vacant retail space just minutes from my house and we’ve all been anxious to see what store we are going to have. At first, we hoped for a Starbucks. But as mentioned earlier, that train seems to be slowing down. Then our hearts sank. Maybe it will be another bank (just around the corner from Boiling Springs National Bank). We started to see decor and it looked Asian. An unusual choice for a bank. Japanese restaurant maybe? We began to get a little excited. Then the sign. Nail salon. THAT is the new trend in real estate. They are everywhere. The one that confuses me is “Pinkie Nails.” I don’t know how they make a buck if they only specialize in one finger. As a lifelong nail biter, I am completely flummoxed. But they are everywhere and even our girls think it’s a bit much.
What I think is a bit much is how much Scout and Kit have spent on manicures and pedicures this summer. And so, I plan to turn Scout’s room into a nail salon. Not only will we see lease revenue from the deal, but I am sure I can work free manicures and pedicures into the lease.
Of course by the time I have the space ready for occupancy, it may be time for Scout to move back home after college. Moving elephants out of the middle of rooms can take time.
T minus 9.
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