Walls are close to being done

The lath is on....next up stucco and then paint!

Winter Park is Here!

Saturday, August 2nd, was the first official day as the stores
operating as one. Pictured are Steven, Andrea, and Lisa discussing
the finer points of which insecticide to use for chinch bugs in your
lawn.

Little Store is taking shape.

The transformation of the old Fairbanks Florist building to the new
"temporary" Apenberry's is really coming along. Stop in next week when
we officially open it to see what we have done.

It doesn't look like much right now

In preparation for the Winter Park store moving over Jacoba and Raffa
made some room for the new merchandise.

Tile Floors are starting to go in

Today we installed the tile floor in the new office area....bathrooms
are next. We also has good news in getting several inspections
completed. We are moving forward.

The "Little Store" begins to take shape

This weekend we officially closed our Winter Park store and we spend
the next 4 days moving it to our Edgewater location. It will be a
tough week but results will be more than worth the effort. Our team
will be reunited in less than a week and we sincerely believe 1+1 = 3.

Electrical and Plumbing are Roughed In

At the end of week 4 we have the bathrooms roughed-in and ready for
inspections prior to closing up the walls and begining the finish
work. We can't wait till the tile and paint starts going on.

Can you see a Bathroom in There?

With the walls up we were able to put in the rough plumbing in
preparation for the sink and toilets. In a week or so this will be
the last view of these pipes for many years....we will be adding the
drywall and the rooms will really start to take shape. Just a month
ago you could have picked out an orchid from where there is now the
piping for a sink. Were making progress. Don't worry will place an
orchid in the restroom so we don't forget where we came from.

Roof Deck is Going On

Orlando and his crew is busy trying to beat the rain...getting the
plywood on the roof and roof felt after to keep the rain out.

More Metal than Wood

It is amazing just how many metal ties or brackets are now used to
reinforce the wood framing. Looking at our existing building framing
(circa 1989) you will notice none of these "Simpson Ties". All the
Hurricane activity over the last couple of decades sure has changed
the building codes. We now know the safest place at Apenberry's in a
storm will be the bathroom!

Roof is Going On!

Today we are finishing the roof framing and soon we will be "dry in"
meaning we will have a roof over the new bathroom area. Great timing
since we have been experiencing all the afternoon thunderstorms.

Since we are almost "topped off" stay tuned for a photo of our tree on
top of the building...staying with a long but not completely
understood building tradition of placing a tree at the top of building
when the final floor is reached.

What a Difference.....

Today the primer and new paint color went on the new "Little Store".
This small location reminds us of the little store where Apenberry's
first started in 1995. We are calling the ex-Fairbanks Florist
building our "Little Store"....temporarily we are moving a lot of the
Winter Park store merchandise to this building). We chose a color that
we feel best represents Apenberry's....and what a difference it made
to the look of the building.

Safety First

Here our faithful project manager, Wilf Pickles, shows his commitment
to safety by correctly wearing his hard hat while behind the wheel.

In actuality he just didn't what to get his hair wet while changing
his flat tire...

Concrete is Going In!

For the first time since we started we are pouring concrete not jack
hammering it out. That's progress!

Getting a Little Back to Normal...Day 22

Not sure if it is really getting back to normal or after three weeks we just are getting used to the chaos. Today, Sunday, we were able to get our "under constructions" signs up and partially cleaned the dust-laden showroom. With most of the heaviest demo complete.....week 4 kicks off with the concrete foundation of the new bathrooms. It will be exciting to see some things being built versus torn down. Stay tuned for photos of the framing of our new Men's and Women's bathroom. Imagine that.....we will actually graduate from coed living....separate Men's and Women's bathrooms....we are sure the women are duly excited about this!

Neither Rain, Sleet or Snow...

Orlando and his crew (Jorge and Freddie) are hard at work creating the
opening for our new entrance door. The rain showers today made for an
interesting day but they perservered and got the job done.

Building gets a Trim

Today Orlando and his crew trimmed the eaves of the existing building
to make room for the new entrance door.

Look Up in the Sky!

Today Curt Wade and his crew brought in his huge tree spade to remove
our oldest living member of the Apenberry's plant family....our 20'
Pencil Cactus. It didn't actually leave its home willing, but with a
lot if hands, two machines with a lot if hydraulics we finally got
into its box. After a little TLC we plan to move it back into the new
greenhouse when its finished. Come by and see it after its "haircut"

When it Rains.....It Pours

Check out the new Water Garden we inadvertently created inside our
building. Mother Nature will always humble you. Our construction has
created some unusual temporary drainage patterns. ....

Guess Who's Coming to Town?

Day 8 - The Office is Gone!

Old buildings always tell a story. After we removed the paneling we
found that our old office space was really a porch! I guess that's
appropriate for a Garden Center.

Jorge and Edre demo the Office Wall

One Man Down and Still Getting it Done

Today had to work with one less person....one of our team members was
injured (outside of work....in fact...it happened at the beach).
However the rest of the team rallied and got the job done. Good job
team!

No Rest for the Weary

Today, Saturday, we continue on our journey. Our mission today was to
move our office in preparation for Monday's demolition. Apenberry's is
open 7 days a week so we are working our renovation throughout. No
rest!

End of Week #1

As we look back over the week its hard to believe how much things have
already changed. We are making good progress. Although the week has
not been without its drama. Especially in a small business you are
never too far from the realities. Its all about your people......we
still have some big hurdles to clear but I'm confident in our team to
get the job done.

Tune in next week when you get to see a monstrous hydraulic shovel dig
out our beloved Pencil Cactus!

Some of the work requires a different kind of sweat!

On Thursday we picked up our permit from the City of Orlando that allows us to connect to the Sewer system and abandon our original Septic System. Through this project thus far we've spent enough time at City Hall that the Security Guards now recognize us! This will eliminate the need for the infamous "Out of Order" sign on our bathroom during our Summer rainy season.... It's the little things that sometime will make the difference with the new Apenberry's.

Temporary Doors Going In.....

Our handy demo crew of Orlando and Jorge (plus that is Wilf Pickles, our trusty Project Superintendant in the back) are hard at work...and still
smiling.....installing the temporary doors to cover the openings till
our new automatic doors come in. Everyone at the Gardens are glad to
see the (non) sliding doors go...they required a extra pair of hands
and a Wheaties breakfast to open....they had definitely seen better
days. Because we believe re-use is the ultimate in recycling check
out Craigslist....the old doors are for sale....cheap. And you get a
piece of Apenberry's/Green Garden history!

Day 3.....The Real Work Begins

As with anything in life the starting part is the easiest. In reality we feel we "started" this project months ago. Behind the scenes, a lot of great talent has been working to design, permit, budget and plan this project. But with all things it always "feels better" to see things torn down or put up. However, we now find ourselves in the challenging part....not only must we focus on the work at hand, there is still more planning, permitting and budgeting going on....this is on top of running our business...keep the client's happy and explaining to the staff that yes one more thing does have to move.....but with progress there is pain and we all have our Advil ready!

Day 2....More Demo

The rest of the greenhouses came down quickly. We are doing our best
to remove and save our prized Pencil Cactus....keep watching this space.

Day 1....Where it has all started

We have finally begun the physical process of combining our two locations to one...new Apenberry's. 

Today was the day we started to demo the old greenhouse structures.  It is not without a sense of purpose that we remove these buildings.  As I look at the pieces stacked in a pile they appear tired....ready to be retired.  The more we remove the more I realize how old and run down everything had become.   While change is difficult and I feel like someone has just rearranged my house...there is a sense of something great to come.