Does every blog entry require crisp photographs, maps and charts, or even links to other “relevant” content? Well, probably. At least the posting pundits and interweb wags would have it that way. But, I’m going rogue – at least briefly. Perhaps it’s just becasue I don’t feel like uploading another batch of pixels…

Concrete Detail is moving its concrete countertop studio to the BookPress building on the north end of the bustling burg of Brattleboro, Vermont. In two weeks. Are we looking forward to this transpiration of events? Yes and no: yes, because we will gain on several (or I should say many) fronts. More space, better space, cheaper space; better access for inbound and outbound materials and products; private entrance, showroom, room for expansion, synergistic neighbors, oh… I could go on and on.

No, because we have to schlep our worldly goods (after we sort through and fill several dustbins) piece by piece from one corner of town to another. I know, stop whining and get over it… OK, I’m over it. It’s all good.

Here we grow!

Concrete Detail has planning a move to new quarters in a different area of Brattleboro, Vermont which is our base of operations. We are in a 1700 sq.ft. shop right now, part of an old textile mill near the Connecticut River on the south end of town. The property is owned and administered by BDCC as an incubator space to encourage new and growing businesses. They are great landlords and friends.

They also own a former printing facility on the north end of town which we have had our eyes on for awhile. A very large complex, there is a plethora of wonderful space there just begging to be used for cool creative businesses. We are beginning the buildout of our new space, taking 2400 sq.ft. for now (a 30% expansion) and an option for 2400 more, down the road. We will be moving into  true industrial space, 16 ft. ceilings, no obstructions, concrete floors (we’re on wood flors currently, which is a problem for water management),  and lots of very nice access. The slab is being cut in the next couple days to install drainage for our wet processes. Then wiring, some more walls, doors and windows and we can move in (and pay for it!). A little nerve-wracking, but very exciting. The future’s so bright…

I posted awhile ago about the Fourth Annual Business Plan Competition sponsored by the Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation (BDCC). I had decided to enter the fray again (I made it the finalist stage last year) and once again made it to the last round. I ended up with a 22 page business plan document, which was a vast improvement over the previous effort, and a very good mental and planning exercise besides.

The spoken presentations were held at the Marlboro Tech Center in Brattleboro, Vt before a panel of judges drawn from the financial and business sectors in the area. They had reviewed the written plans carefully over the previous week and this was an opportunity to witness and question the person proposing the initiatives under scrutiny. The presentation went very well (I thought) and later that afternoon the awards were announced by the governor of Vermont himself, Jim Douglas. This year’s judges decided that there was a three-way tie for first place and that Concrete Detail was one of the winners! The article in the Brattleboro Reformer sums the award ceremony up with its usual competence…

Concrete Detail has re-entered the annual Business Plan Competition sponsored by the Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation (BDCC). We participated in 2008 and were awarded as semi-finalists (not too shabby…).  So, this time around we decided to make a concerted (concreted?) effort to go for the brass ring again – aspiring and focusing even closer on the bright future for artisan concrete countertops and other architectural elements. The deadline for entries was last Monday, March 2 and initial qualifiers were announced yesterday. We made the cut once again! Woo-hoo!

As word continues to spread of the remarkable ability of this material (in capable hands) to form durable, healthful, and soulful surfaces, we look forward to evolving and growing with the acceptance of our chosen medium of expression. We Love Concrete. And concrete loves us… Awww.