STORM ll
To be continued.......
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1. Going through the Storm.
 My daughter came to our house with her dogs (As if our 4 cats enjoyed that) 
The house is full of clothing and racks we all had to navigate through, but we did what we could to settle in.  The sound of the wind was scary but we live in an older house in Seminole in a non-evacuation zone so we felt pretty safe. No chance of trees falling on the house since we had them trimmed months ago. 
One tree could fall but it was tilted to fall in the back part of our yard probably on my neighbor's fence. I heard the crash and yes, the tree fell. Don't worry, I'll help the neighbor pay for a new fence; after all it was our tree. Can't remember what time we lost power but for some reason it wasn't long after we all fell asleep despite the wind. I think exhaustion was greater than our fear. ​

2. Waking up After Milton: 
The next morning, we made coffee using the burner on our grill and the weather was chilly; thankfully since we had no power. 
After coffee we decided to go check on the shop. Since the predicted storm surge thankfully did not occur the barrier islands were open, no need for passes. 

3. At the Shop:
Milton did not leave everything alone. When we got to the back of shop, we noticed one side of the storage room where the Dive Shop had a cage for storage was completely gone!  The wind had taken it somewhere and with it went part of my storage room roof. 
The other side of my storage room, the side with my back entrance and a big pile of ruined inventory seemed to have been barely disturbed. (Disturbed but not like the other side of the building)
The post office breeze way doors were completely removed and so was a porch/shelter type aluminum roof where postal workers take breaks. 

Looks like a mini tornado; so random

Funny story about this: I have tons of hangers hanging off the ceiling in this area and despite the fact one can now see the sun through this gap; every hanger stayed in its place. 

4. Conclusion about Milton:
Thank goodness the storm did not do more damage than it could have. Power came back within 24 hours for us. 

It is now a waiting game. 
I cannot afford in anyway, to have cleaners come, debris removed, drywall removed professionally, drywall put back and so on. My landlord is working with me and some of the other tenants to see the next steps as far as the building is concerned. Waiting for insurance adjusters, contract bids, how to proceed with my square footage and so forth. 

​The following are pictures of the store up to November 2nd, 2024. 

5. Future of Colette's

I am doing everything I can to open as quickly as possible. 
​
I may not be at the shop salvaging much anymore. I still need to save a few wall hanging racks from storage room and a three-way mirror. 
I've removed all personal items and items I was able to salvage.
The rest of the furniture such as jewelry cases, counter tops, dressers and desks are simply too heavy for me to pull out by myself and that is why I am waiting for cleanup and contractor bids.

While I have been waiting, I have been sorting inventory saved from the storm, cleaning and polishing racks, packing up inventory and putting it in the pod, sorting out accessories and posting on Facebook trying to drive people to buy what I do have available online.

I have been checking in on customers and fellow boutique owners as well as my vendors. 

I have been looking into other locations just in case this process takes too long.  This is my only source of income, and I cannot go on too long in this way.
Many of my customers lost their homes and belongings too and I am very mindful of that.

Some customers have reached out to me and offered for me to sell items in their clubhouse or social groups. Since that is a service I provide, I am finding ways of putting such an event together.

It's November 2nd, more than a month after the storm and I am really not enjoying this "Vacation". 

Sad news:
​A post on Facebook announced today Annabel's on St. Pete Beach did not make it.
They have been around longer than we have.  

6. Still Waiting on November 10th

It is Sunday, November 10th and I am at home still working on cleaning racks and updating items for Sale on Website. Just added a few beaded purses for Christmas. 
Have not gone back to the shop since last post. 

7. Social Event Success November 21st and received key to new shop!!!!
 
One of my customers invited me to a luncheon at her residential clubhouse located in Tampa.
The luncheon was for me to bring items to sell such as a rack of clothing, some accessories and a story of what the barrier islands have been going through after the hurricanes.

The event was a major success. 
I have always had the option for such events on my website, but this is the first time I have ever done one. It was loads of fun and brought in some needed income. 

8. That afternoon I finally received the key to my new location. I have to say November 21st was a very great and hopeful day. 

Next step: The process of Relocating and reopening