Young & Restless

Back to the Drawing Board

2006-03-26T14:32:00.000-06:00

I've been quite busy lately. (as you can see, since my last posting was about Hurricane Katrina survivors!)

Y&R is looking for a bigger space. We have totally outgrown the little red house, and I have a vision that **must** be satisfied. However, we have been hitting roadblocks and snags along the way, and I've been doubting my vision lately. Here's the scoop, but I'm not going to name the specific addresses:

Last November, we got serious, and my realtor TeriJo found a few spaces that seemed plausible. We got serious about one with some great visibility in the Garden Oaks area. The landlord of that space apparently would rather get a tax break than a serious tennant, so the negotiations with them are taking TOOOOOO long. I'm just bored with the process now, and I'm not so sure I want that space anymore.

A month ago, we resumed the search. I decided that maybe I want something bigger now - to incorporate some of my ideas from last summer's dream of a Community Center. Nothing was jumping out at us, though.

Two weeks ago, we learned of a new awesome space that was HUGE and had some amazing visibility and tons of potential. The agent implied that they were eager and happy to rent to me, and I worked my butt off to develop a strategy for being able to afford the space. I had partners, crafters, and vendors lined up to fill the space. At the last minute, they flip-flopped their position - overnight, the agent was suddenly condescending, negative and unprofessional and wouldn't even meet with me. I have a theory that someone is personally threatened by a bigger better Y&R.

There just **has** to be the right space out there somewhere. I really want to stay in the Heights. I want to ride my bike to work and keep my children in the neighborhood.

Here are my needs:
- at least 3,000 sf (but anything up to 10,000 sf could work!)
- easy and clear access from major freeways (easy to find for suburbanites)
- visibility from a well-traveled street (drive-by is still my best advertising)
- affordable rent (less than $15 per sf)
- safe neighborhood
- some sort of outdoor space where my children can play
- ideally, something that is not broken up by tiny rooms, and I really want display windows!
- lots of parking (at least 16 spaces)

I need to be in a new space by mid-July. Any help is definitely appreciated! If you're interested in investing in a plan that will REALLY benefit our community, please let me know. I might share some details, but not in a public forum - I don't trust anyone anymore!

--janis

Y&R help for local survivors

2005-09-02T11:14:00.000-05:00

Y&R is offering shopping sprees to local families in need - call 713-861-7647 to make the arrangements. Arrangements must be made in advance. There will also be a donation box of free items to choose from. Customers may purchase anything in the store at a 50% discount to add to the donation box OR sponsor a shopping spree.

We are taking cash donations at the store, which we plan to send to the Red Cross or use to directly help families seeking refuge in Houston.

We are collecting diapers and formula, non-perishable snacks, and paper products, which we will take to local churches who already have relief efforts in place.

We will be donating our school uniforms to local schools next week - we will continue to collect uniforms for this purpose, as long as it is necessary.

We are also opening a consignment account specifically for this relief effort. It will operate the same as any personal consignment account, except we will match 50% of the money and donate it all to organizations directly involved in the welfare of the disaster survivors. Please call for more information.

Fabulous Bedding Sets Now Available!

2005-08-01T21:52:00.000-05:00

We've had a surge in bedding recently - Pottery Barn, Eddie Bauer, Pooh, and more! We even have bedding for twin and full-size beds and separates for toddler beds and cribs.

- Pottery Barn crib and twin bedding sets + 2 rugs
- Princess quilt & dust ruffle for twin bed
- Pooh crib set in light blue *nearly new*
- Pooh twin bedding set
- Mickey Mouse bedding for twin beds: 2 identical sets!
- denim & cartoon character twin set
- dinosaur dust ruffle & shams for full bed
- Monsters Inc sheet set for full bed
- Company Store bedding for toddler or crib
- Noah's Ark *giant* crib set
- Beatrix Potter crib seet
- crib sets with bunnies, bugs, eyelet, and everything in between!
- crib, bassinet, and cradle sheets
- receiving blankets and hand-knitted blankets

I hope to get some current pictures soon, but here's one photo from our bedding department

Molly is almost potty-trained!

2005-07-29T10:59:00.000-05:00

Yes, she's only 17 months old, but I can hardly remember her wearing diapers anymore! It started when Annie thought it would be funny to put her on the toilet at about 14 months old .... she peed, and they both thought it was great! Just for fun, we did it several more times over the next few days, and she really got the hang of it.

So, she is now using the toilet with great success, and it's all because of her big sister, but not the way you might think! Most people assume that she did this in order to "be like" her big sister, but that's not Molly's personality. She does things the way she wants, when she wants ... usually in the completely opposite direction of big sister. She rolled over because she "could". She crawled because it was fun. She walked because it was faster! She climbed the stairs because they were there.

And, now, she's using the toilet because Annie found her old potty seat and wanted to test it out.

Extreme Makeover

2005-06-19T22:28:00.000-05:00

Have you seen it?

There is a new word to describe our store: Berrylicious!

We've opted to move away from the plastic banner/used car lot fringe effect and more into the "cute little house" direction.

Please let us know what yout think ... We're not done yet, so we're still open to suggestions, too!

--janis & the Staff

First YnR Blog!

2005-06-11T22:44:00.000-05:00

Welcome to YNR -- Young & Restless Children's Consignment Store & More, in Houston, Texas!

It's late, and I've just decided to start a blog for the store ... not sure yet exactly how I'll utilize it, but being a bit of a computer geek, it seems like a good idea! (everyone else is doing it, why not me?)

We're celebrating our 3-year anniversary all summer, starting off with an Extreme Exterior Makeover (in progress). We'll have a party every Saturday with bubbles, balloons, & beverages! We're holding monthly drawings for shopping sprees, and we're introducing a Frequent Shopper Card, too.

The store is growing like gangbusters - we have had some awesome consignments lately!

white Pottery Barn changing table sold!

Peg Perego *new* Venenzia stroller sold!

Step2 firetruck bed sold!

Power Wheels Silverado truck sold!

antique handmade wooden cradle

Moses basketsold!

Gucci baby shoes

castle bunk bed with slide by Flexa

and you won't believe the clothes we have!

Don't forget that we also sell new products, including Bobux baby shoes, Sarah's Silks, Melissa & Doug's wooden toys, and cloth diapers!

For more information, check our website www.YoungAndRestless.net

Have a great summer!