Mondays are slow. Today was really slow, and it’s been hard to keep spirits up when customers aren’t streaming in the doors. I’m feeling kind of blue. Guess that’s something I have to learn to deal with emotionally, but it kind of hurt my feelings! At dinner we decided that all of Cville must have enough GH bread in their kitchens and they aren’t ready for more yet.
In other news, we are |thisclose| to having our bookkeeping all organized. Tonight’s reconciliation and journal entry was a piece of cake. Well, except for the check that was missing. It’s always somethin’!
I have been snacking some at the bakery. Every afternoon I have some kind of snack – a few bites of bread, corners from empty Savannah bar trays, a little cup of granola. None are blog-worthy, but I’m sure some of you are curious as to bakery nibbling eats! My strategy: small bites, not whole sweets! Oh, and eat when you’re hungry!
It’s REALLY cool outside – like springtime again! I barely broke a sweat on my bike ride home. Tomorrow Matt is going to bike too – hopefully we can bike home together!
Tonight’s dinner was a Karen special – Pepper Potato Soup!
I’m sorry I don’t have the recipe. That’s one part of KERF that drops off now that I have two jobs. Sorry! But it was peppers, potatoes, celery, butter, flour and broth – and delicious! Matt and I added garden collard greens, 2 slices of bacon, sour cream and herbs from Faith’s garden. Very yum!
Excited to crawl in bed and get my read on! Tomorrow I might actually stay home in the morning. Matt says it’s cool with him if I work on some blog-related stuff. I can’t decide what to do! One thing’s for sure – I would like a full night’s sleep. He’s actually sleeping in until 5 tomorrow to give the employees some freedom – exciting step!
Allie (Live Laugh Eat) says
It’ll definitely pick up…we’ve got cheddar garlic on the board tomorrow! We’ve been cutting those Savannah bars TOO well lately…no crumbles for munching!
KathEats says
Yes, need more crumbles tomorrow!
Jenny @ Fitness Health and Food says
mmm that soup does look delish!!
I don’t blame you for getting a little down about the slow day but just remember it’s just like how blog traffic slows on the weekend. Nothing personal just the nature of the biz! 🙂
Hope you get a great night’s sleep! 🙂
Brittany says
Sleep tight, I’m sure you’ll have plenty of customers tomorrow!
Emily says
The soup looks amazing! Take a morning off to catch up and rest, it will make you be better off for the rest of the week 🙂 So excited to see how well things are going for you guys!
Kate (What Kate is Cooking) says
If I was in Charlottesville I would have come by and bought some goodies 🙂
chelsey @ clean eating chelsey says
That dinner looks great! I think you should do some work at home in the morning! 🙂
Krissy - Shiawase Life says
=) Can I stay home tmrw morning too? Heehee!!
Courtney @ The Granola Chronicles says
Wow, that soup looks amazing!
You’re going to have slow days – all businesses experience that. Just remember how busy you were over the weekend – it will even it all out!
Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga says
Glad you get to stay home in the a.m. and get some catch-up work done. That is KEY to the sanity…just being able to schedule in some computer time and get things DONE.
Glad the reconciliation was easy tonite. Yay for small miracles 🙂
Sarena (The Non-Dairy Queen) says
Keep your chin up Kath! If you build it, they will come. Just give it some time. I’m glad Matt will get some rest tonight though. I hope you two have a great night.
kristen (inspiredbydooce) says
That must be pretty common with business owners who really care about what they do- feeling like it is somewhat personal if there is an off day.
Don’t take it personally- people love you and your bread! It’s just Monday…we hate shopping on Monday 🙂
lynn @ the actor's diet says
i always see restaurant promos for mondays – now i know why!
Katherina @ Zephyr Runs says
The cafe where I work used to be slowest on Monday (by a longshot) and then started a deal to offer our most popular item for $5… it’s now our busiest day, sometimes by double! Once you get a feel for your crowd you can really work with them!
Silvia @ skinny jeans food says
That soup looks SO GOOD and colorful! What kind of peppers? Hot peppers or bell peppers?
KathEats says
Bell!
staceyhealthylife says
The soup sounds delicious. Another great dinner made by Karen.
Gina @ Running to the Kitchen says
I can imagine it’s hard to deal with when business is slow. You wonder what you’re doing wrong. Monday’s are usually so busy for everyone, hopefully they remember they need bread tomorrow!
Robyn says
Oh Kath, no worries girl! When I visited GH to grab some sandwiches for the road back to Indianapolis I was shocked at all the customers on a Monday afternoon! The GH we have here in Carmel, IN doesn’t see anywhere NEAR that many faces on a Monday, so chin up 🙂
Meg says
If it makes you feel any better I’d get my whole dang town to come if I could 😀 Things will definitely pick up as more people realize that the bakery is now open/there!
🙂
Abby says
Karen sounds like such a wonderful cook! 🙂 If I was in Cville, I would gladly pop into the store!
Cait's Plate says
Okay it’s official – I’m coming over there to steal Karen and have her live with me!! These meals all look so delicious! You’re so lucky to have her 🙂
Joanna @ braverealworld says
Man that soup looks good!
I’m sure people will soon be eager to get their hands on more bread – cheddar garlic calls my name from the photos!
Lesley Lifting Life says
I wish I could come and buy bread from you!
Kendra says
I’m a new KERF reader, and I’m really enjoying your blog. But I haven’t been able to figure out. . . Who is Karen? You mention her in many of your posts, but I don’t know who she is and why you’re so lucky to have her make you delicious food!
Christine says
Karen is Kath’s wonderful mother-in-law 🙂
KathEats says
Yup! Matt’s mom
Laura Jane @ Recovering Chocoholic says
Too bad you’re not it Pittsburgh. I totally would have stopped by for some bread. I do imagine that Monday’s would be the slowest days. That soup looks delicious!
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table says
Awwww! I bet that would be hard to have a slow day. Monday’s are hard for people with getting back to work/the shock of the weekend ending. Nothing personal against bread, I’m sure! 🙂
Laura Jane @ Recovering Chocoholic says
Oh, and I almost forgot, I tried your overnight oats for the first time this morning! All in all, it was a success, but I’ll be tweaking a few things for next time. I really don’t think I’ve ever eaten oats for breakfast before, so I feel like a new breakfast world is opening up to me.
Justeen @ Blissful Baking says
I was having a case of the Mondays, so I stopped by my local Great Harvest and treated myself to a Savannah bar and some Cinnamon Chip bread. The Savannah Bar was so yummy – loved that it was LOADED with raspberries. Such a great pick-me-up!
Kathy W. says
Monday’s the slowest day of the week for restaurant sales, which is why so many independent restaurants close on Mon. So it’s not you, it’s everybody! Good luck for a great week ahead!
eliza says
hi Kath! Just wanted to say to keep your spirits high. My mom owned her own deli for 4-5 years and it was tough on slow days. But, one day doesnt mean anything. I worked in a restaurant that has been owned by the family for 30 years and they definitely had their fair share of slow days..
Your business seems so innovative, fresh, and just what the people of Charlotteville want and need. I am sure you will do great 🙂
Amelia says
Dinner looks delicious! It’s so nice of Karen to make meals for you two.
I’m stopping by the Mt. Pleasant GH at the farmers market tomorrow for some dakota. DEE-lish! 🙂
Annette @ EnjoyYourHealthyLife says
your dinner looks really yummy! Yah for sleeping in until 5….what?!
kaila @ healthy helper! says
I love fresh soups for dinner! Gotta love those ingredients too!
Emily @ One Sweet Vegan says
Your soup looks wonderful!
Nel says
My mouth is watering !!!! Great dish sure beats the heck outta my boring Lean Cuisine that I had for lunch today…Barf.
Holly @ The Runny Egg says
I can understand why you’re feeling blue — but soon you’ll have repeat customers who will be telling their friends, etc. I think it takes time to build up!
Nancy says
most bakeries I know are closed on mondays, slow days? I would think weekends, when everyone is out doing errands and has free time is the busiest!
Keep up though, the bread is super yummy and they’ll be back!
Marie says
I agree- ALL of the bakeries around us are closed on Mondays. Boo… I’m usually out of bread by Tuesday- wish my GH was open on Mondays.
Jessica @ The Process of Healing says
I KNOW you’re looking forward to your morning off! Enjoy it!
Ashley @ Coffee Cake and Cardio says
I vote for taking the morning off to do some blog stuff 🙂 Either way, have a great Tuesday. May business be booming and your books be perfect!
erica says
that soup looks amazing! potatoes and soup are great. potatoes IN soup are my fave!!!
Lissa says
So………why don’t you take Mondays off. I have always thought most bakeries were closed on Monday. I would think you would need two days in a row off to recover from your schedule. So nice to see Karen, she always has such a warm smile, you guys are lucky to live so close.
Michelle (The Runner's Plate) says
It is really interesting to hear the ups and downs of owning your own business–things like having less customers one day. These are definitely things I don’t think about when I envision what it would be like to own my own business.
Allie says
Your bowl looks like it shed a tear for you feeling blue! I love the amazing dinner you had…way to go Karen! Adding your own twist on it is a great idea and a way to make it different every time you try a bowl.
Leila @ Spinach and Skittles says
Mmmm that soup looks divine. My town hasn’t gotten the memo that we are half way through June and it has been hanging around the 50 degree mark…perfect soup weather 😉
Hannah says
I thought this was a frittata in a bowl! Soup is just as good 🙂
J3nn (Jenn's Menu and Lifestyle Blog) says
Don’t get down about Mondays, it’s just business, nothing personal. It’s the nature of the beast. 🙂 Besides, think about the 80/20 rule; some weeks 80% of your business might come from 20% of your time open and vice versa. It will all even out, especially on holidays! Whoa, you’ll long for a slow Monday when the holidays come around, lol.
That soup looks delish. Karen is such a great cook! Yum.
Cat says
I was curious about the philosophy of being closed on Sundays? As owners you probably want to have a weekend day off, but I was curious if there was a GH policy on what day or days you are closed?
KathEats says
They have no policies at all – it’s up to the owners
Jen says
Maybe you could work Sundays and change the day off to Mondays?
Lily says
I was thinking the same thing! Unless they anticipate a brisk m-f work lunch business, wouldn’t want to get a reputation for limited hours among nearby office types…
Cat says
Or limited hours on Monday, like 11 – 3 just for lunch? Though I supposed you still have to make bread for sammiches! Also, as a small biz person myself, I try to remind myself that the bad days make you appreciate the good all the more! Can’t have one without the other 🙂 Oh the other thing about small biz that I just thought of: everyone has an opinion for you! Haha. It took me awhile to learn how to deflect the useless from the good and well-intentioned advice, though I suspect via the blog you are already a pro at that!
Erin says
Wow. Sounds like maybe you should find a different blog to read….
Elisabeth says
No kidding!
Sorry it was a slow day, Kath – I think a lot of places are on mondays…
Meadow says
A friend just sent me the link to your website. He’s obsessed with your oatmeal. He attended a 9-day event that I catered but mostly he talked about your recipes and your oatmeal. I see why. Gorgeous photos! Thank you!
KathEats says
Thanks!
Ashley says
I’m sure things will pick up! Hang in there girlie!! Dinner looks deeevine!
sb says
I am adding to the other comments about being closed on Sundays vs Mondays. It seems like weekends in general would be busier with more people out and shopping, etc. And that seems especially true in Cvile, since you sold out early on Saturday! Why not just take Monday off instead of Sunday? Either way you’d have a day off.
I’m really not trying to tell you how to run your business.. lol… Honestly, I wouldn’t have the first clue! And I’m sure you guys have some solid reasons behind the decision about what days to be open/closed. But I am curious (along with the other commenters) what the thought process was.
The Healthy Engineer says
I’d probably been a little down by that but at least you had a great opening day!
My definition of sleeping in is far from Matt’s, let me tell you that!
Khushboo says
“Sleeping in until 5”…Matt is such a trooper! It’s wonderful how accommodating you 2 are of each other!
Hayley @ Oat Couture says
Stay positive! For sure it will pick up! 🙂 Mondays are generally a bit slow when it comes to retail… everybody is too busy with the start of yet ANOTHER work week!
Alison says
I worked in a restaurant in college and Monday’s were notoriously slow! As a waitress I could practically count on making less money if I worked on a Monday. (Or going home early as a hostess…)
Going out to eat on a Monday definitely increases your chances of fast service though! Make that a new sign!
Molly @ RDexposed says
That bacon looks perfectly cooked! YUM!
KathEats says
Thanks for all of your great support guys.
Some bakeries are closed Sundays AND Mondays, but when you think about paying rent per month being open 5 days or 6, even if you make some money on the 6th it’s worth it. Since Sunday is a common day for businesses to be closed and since we’re doing business-lunch sandwiches, we felt it was better to close on Sun over Mon. (And we had to take one day off for our sanity!)
Sales weren’t really bad, they just weren’t good, so I think it’s still good in the long run. Thank you!
Carissa @ Chocolate Coated Trainers says
It is winter in Australia and although peppers are not in season that soup looks so good I want to make it ASAP!
Miranda @ Working Mom Works Out says
Mmmmm, Bacon. …. I’m down.
I hate bookkeeping. Are you doing all of it yourself? Is this your first time? Does the franchise have a system or program for you to use?
KathEats says
I am doing it myself and it’s my first time, but the franchise office has been really helpful
Allyson says
A friend from KY recommended your blog to me in Indianapolis!! I LOVE LOVE LOVE it!! Your pictures are amazing! My husband, a photographer, really was impressed! He said, wow, she makes that food look as amazing as it probably tastes!!
The hubby ran a 1/2 marathon on Sat up in Carmel so we were able to stop by the Carmel, IN Great Harvest. I mentioned I just started following your blog. He knew all about it and said YOUR BLOG is getting people into his store b/c they didn’t realize how healthy great harvest could be!! He said he really enjoys your blog and so do his customers! Wow, isn’t that amazing?
What a small world!!
Thanks for blogging, I look forward to getting your emails in my inbox each day!!
Allyson
KathEats says
🙂 THanks!!
Jennifer says
I think the way your feeling about not many customers coming in is normal. You’ll have days where you wish it were slower. 🙂
That soup looks incredible! Karen is a great cook! I would love that recipe whenever you have a moment to post it. It’s very colorful, too.
Hope you have a great and busy day, today. 🙂
faith says
Glad you found the herbs, it was a little random but I thought it might be a good pizza addition or something.
I’m also SO glad that Matt was able to sleep in this morning! We are patiently waiting until things calm down a little and we get our double dinner dates back. 🙂
KathEats says
Things are lightening up just a wee bit this week!
I’m doing a triple wine tasting on Thursday evening at 8 – want to come for that?
Catherine@happinessafterheartache says
Oh my gosh, that soup looks amazing! What about using Greek Yogurt instead of the sour cream? I’ve been hearing that a lot of people have been substituting that lately. I’ve never done it myself, so was wondering what you’d think. I remember a couple years ago my husband (an aspiring chef) was looking EVERYWHERE for greek yogurt for a recipe. Now, it’s like the new, hot craze.
KathEats says
I do that 99.9% of the time! I just have sour cream on hand from a recipe so I was using it up
Katherina @ Zephyr Runs says
That soup looks delicious… I love pepper soups and always forget how awesome they are.
I’m impressed how often you’re able to keep on blogging while basically having a new baby to take care of!
Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin says
Don’t worry too much about the slow day, Kath! I think Mondays in general are just slow. I work at a farm/nursery, and yesterday I think we only had 4-5 customers!! I’m sure Tuesday will be better for you! 🙂
Maria @ Beautiful Busy Bee says
Spring again? I’m jealous!! It wasn’t super hot this morning when I went to run but it was humid 🙁
kim says
All the GH bakeries in my area (St Louis) are closed on Mondays and I was surprised to see that you guys are planning to be open.is this something you pllan to continue with or was it just to get up and running and systems in place?
Angie @ Musings of a Violet Monkey says
Sorry about the slow day. It’s bound to happen eventually, I suppose. I was surprised that you guys are going to be open on Mondays, as I’m used to the Clt GHs being closed on Sun and Mon. (I understand WHY you are open, though. $$$). Personally, though I’m sure you’d like TWO days off (in a row, no less!), I think it’s good to be open on Monday. Inevitably I’m running out of bread on the weekend, and have to wait until Tuesday. (Woe is me, I know) 😉 I’d love it if the Clt stores were open on Monday! 🙂
That soup sounds scrumptious!
~
Angel7 says
I love potato soup, and I am sure I would love Karen’s version! My mom used to make potato soup, and I loved it! Those pictures make me tempted to make a batch.
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