A high-end fashion store maintains a constant temperature year-round. In summer, trying on clothes won’t leave you sticky with sweat, and in winter, you won’t freeze after taking off your coat. The mirrors and lighting in front of the fitting rooms are specially designed to enhance your complexion and figure, making you unable to resist the urge to buy the clothes.
Whitaker Scarlett couldn’t get such lighting, nor did she have access to such professional designers.
She could only do her best within the limited renovation budget to achieve the best effect.
“I estimated that even if we don’t change the store door for now, the renovations will still cost several thousand dollars.”
“How much money do you have left? You just paid 2000 dollars in rent.”
Previously, she had 9000 dollars, and after taking 5000 dollars for goods, she was left with 4000 dollars in working capital. After deducting the rent paid yesterday, she should have only 2000 dollars left. However, she had brought back clothes for three or four days and had sold half of them. The stock included a men’s wool coat priced at 140 dollars, and with the other goods sold, she had gathered over 4000 dollars in capital.
This means Whitaker Scarlett still had over 6000 dollars in hand.
She and William estimated that to achieve the desired renovation effect, this 6000 dollars might just be enough.
William calculated for a while, “The counter that the national cotton factory doesn’t want can be modified; the wood is good. Now, hiring a carpenter to make a three-door wardrobe costs over 150 dollars… We can save some money here.”
These days, three-door wardrobes are popular for weddings, often painted and carved, with several pieces of glass embedded to create a diamond pattern.
Whitaker Scarlett thought it was tacky, but it was the trend at the moment.
She wouldn’t put such cabinets in her store; the few display cabinets left by the national cotton factory could still be dismantled and reused.
With this amount of money, it was enough for renovations. The store would take at least a month to complete, and during this time, Whitaker Scarlett would continue to set up her stall, constantly using money to make money to accumulate more wealth. By the time the store renovations were finished, the money for restocking would almost be ready again. After all, this store couldn’t just earn without spending, especially since it was a partnership business. Whitaker Scarlett couldn’t casually use this capital; her daily expenses relied on the money earned by Elizabeth—selling fried oil residue every day provided more than enough for their daily needs.
Whitaker Scarlett thought her short-term goal was to conduct a profit-sharing before the New Year.
While other stores closed for the New Year, her newly opened store would likely be the busiest during that time.
After discussing for a long time, William and Whitaker Scarlett decided to start buying materials with the 2000 dollars and enlisted the help of a mason he knew to begin the renovations.
Whitaker Scarlett received a telegram from Kay.
“…Scarlett, the clothes, jujubes, and tea have all been received. Wearing the duck down jacket you bought in the cold wind warms not just my body but also my heart. The jujubes are very sweet; knowing they are your intention, I don’t want to share them with anyone else. However, there is too much tea, and I’m afraid it will get damp and spoil, so I gave some to others… Sablewick ‘s Sanders Wren is the sister of my comrade Sanders Daxton. I once helped Sanders Daxton, so I trust his character. You can trust his sister Sanders Wren too, but be cautious; you need to continue assessing Comrade Sanders Wren… I miss you all the time and look forward to seeing you again.”
Telegrams are meant to be seen by others, unlike private letters that can be sealed.
Perhaps because of this, Kay made an effort to narrate in a serious tone in the telegram. Nevertheless, anyone could tell this was a telegram sent to a lover; his passionate feelings had already overflowed from the lines.
Such fervor infected Whitaker Scarlett, making her feel young and vibrant.
With William in charge of the renovations, Whitaker Scarlett couldn’t be completely unconcerned; she needed to keep a close eye on the effects of the renovations. Renovations could cost several thousand or even tens of thousands, and this money would be spent little by little. Fortunately, she didn’t have to take it all out at once, giving her some time to maneuver.
She needed to think of ways to sell that batch of men’s wool coats.
With good quality and style, there was no reason for them to be unsold. Whitaker Scarlett felt she hadn’t found the right place. Where were the wealthy people in the commercial city? The wealthy among the female workers were from the national cotton factory, so her store needed to be on Pinnacle Road, close to several national cotton factories, a place where consumer power was concentrated.
The wealthy male workers were definitely from the railway bureau.
Whitaker Scarlett decided to change her stall location; the area where William rented was the dormitory of the railway bureau. The commercial city was a railway hub in the Central Plains, and the railway bureau was large and prosperous. The staff dormitories were also impressive, and compared to the housing shortage for the thousands of workers at the national cotton factory, the housing conditions at the railway bureau were somewhat more spacious… At least there were houses available for rent.
