Chapter Three--Grand Opening

     The wholesale companies were as good as their word. Robin’s orders began arriving near the end of August—two huge freight wagons full of stuff. Mike Compton had been able to expand the building’s storeroom, but not by much. She stacked boxes to the roof. The rest of them were placed at the back of the showroom. One of the things Robin had asked Mike to do was to have his men work from the back of the building to the front, if possible, because she knew she’d need the storage area when her order arrived. Mike had been able to do that. The work on the building was almost two-thirds done; Robin loved her office, but she had boxes and crates piled in there, too. What she immediately began doing, and it took the full day, every day now, was start going through those boxes of goods, checking them against the invoices she had, and she even started putting some items on shelves that Mike’s men had completed. She had some help, because she had decided to advertise in mid-August for store assistants, and she got in several résumé’s over the next 10 days. She held interviews on two mornings and hired two women—Rhonda Clark and Marge Hinkley. Both were around Robin’s age. They each small children at home, but they needed the money, and each had a mother who was willing to baby sit the children when they weren’t in school. Rhonda and Marge both impressed Robin as being competent, intelligent, yet friendly and courteous. She was comfortable with them, and that was important, too; she thought they would all get along very well, and she could even see herself socializing with them at some point in the future. She asked them both if they had had any experience with bookkeeping; neither did, but that was ok. After Thomas Bering, she didn’t think she’d trust anybody with the books anyway.
     Rhonda and Marge started work the day after the crates of goods arrived. “Whirlwind” was the only way to describe the next four weeks.
     “I’m planning on an October 1 opening day,” she told them. “That’s a Monday, so a good time to start. We’ll have a Grand Opening sale. Mike’s got Pete Renfro working on the sign for us to hang outside. I’m going to put a full-page ad in the newspaper a few days before, though I imagine most everybody in town will know about it. But a little advertising never hurt. I’m not sure how much I’m going to do once we get open; some of this we’ll play by ear. Main thing right now is to get all our goods priced and our shelves stocked.” She smiled at her helpers. “We’ve got a lot of work to do, ladies, so let’s get at it.”
     Robin the workaholic….at least 15 hours a day in September, and she would have worked longer if Aunt Martha hadn’t been so obstreperous—at least that was the way Robin looked at it. The only exceptions to the 15 hour days were: she’d cut off a little early on Friday to go out with someone or just be at home with Aunt Martha (usually the latter), on Saturday to enjoy some social event that evening, usually with some girl friends, and Sunday for church and dinner with Jason Kerr. Otherwise, she was at the store by no later 7 AM every morning and worked virtually non-stop till close to 11 PM. Curfews were curfews, and…
     “The curfew doesn’t change just because you’re starting this new business, Robin Morrow,” Aunt Martha told her sternly. “You need to rest, you aren’t fully recovered from that gunshot wound yet”—that was true, even with the swimming—which had stopped in September--Robin didn’t have all her strength and stamina back, even though the wound itself was fully healed—“and I’m not going to let you make yourself sick by not getting enough rest. Home by 11 PM or we’ll go back to the strap.”
     Robin couldn’t help but smile. She hasn’t threatened me with the strap in quite a while. That’s the Aunt Martha I remember, and in a strange way, it endeared her to her aunt all the more. She cares about me. Robin knew Aunt Martha was right, but she had so much to do and she was so eager to get the store ready for opening that she wanted to stay there all the time. “Is it ok, Aunt Martha, if I stay overnight at the store if I promise I’ll go to sleep at 11 PM?”
     “No, it is not, young lady. I want you in this house by 11 PM. That means Roberta in her stall, rubbed down and fed, and you washed up and ready for bed. And if I have to come to that store and get you…” She didn’t have to complete that sentence and even the matter-of-fact, all business Robin shuddered at the thought. So it was “yes, Aunt Martha.” Then she smiled to herself. I hate it when Aunt Martha is right…but I’ve got a lot of work to do so I might be my old stubborn self and take the strap a few times…just to show her who’s boss…and she giggled at that.

     As the first of October drew nearer and nearer, Robin became almost frantic to get everything done. Actually, things were going very smoothly, but she didn’t see it that way, of course. Compton Building had finished their work a few days ahead of time, including putting in the skylight in the roof that was sooooo nice. The place was just charming—bright, happy, attractive, and Robin was thrilled with it. But she continued to push herself—and her employees—to make sure everything was in readiness for the grand opening.
     She never got to the store later than 7 AM and she worked through lunch and supper—well, as long as Aunt Martha wasn’t too insistent. In fact, Martha tried to help all she could. More often than not, she would bring Robin some lunch and supper, and more than once stayed in the afternoon to help Robin stack the shelves. Sometimes Rhonda and Marge would work through lunch, but Robin never asked them to stay past 5, which they appreciated because they had husbands and children at home to take care of. But I’ll make sure and give each of them a bonus this month in their paychecks…Robin was always bone tired by 10:30 PM when it was time to go home, but even then she didn’t want to. I need to price just this one last thing…just one more…let’s see, where will this go?…oh, shoot, I’ve got to go home, or Aunt Martha will be upset….grrrrr, I need to finish this…not really, she was making good time with everything, but it was understandable that she wanted everything to be just right and she was willing to put in whatever time was necessary to make it so. This was her store, her business, her life, and it had to be done just so.
     Sunday, September 30, the day before the grand opening, she was absolutely frazzled. She wanted to be at the store, but Susan Markum and some of her girlfriends convinced her to spend the afternoon and evening with them. So, after church, they all went horseback riding, had a picnic, and enjoyed the day. It was a little too chilly to swim, but warm enough otherwise. All in all, it was a pleasant outing, and served to be a nice distraction.
     But when Robin returned home and went to bed, thoughts of the next day came springing back into her head. She wished it wasn’t so; she wanted to continue to relax. But the emotions were too strong. Oh, what if nobody shows up? A grand opening and nobody is there…all that work…how will I pay back the bank?…people will think I’m a fool…should I have even done this?…what if it’s a flop?…oh, I hope, I hope, I hope somebody will come, please somebody come…needless to say, Robin didn’t sleep very well that night. All through the month of September she had people telling her that they couldn’t wait for her store to open, that they were dying to see it, that they knew she was going to do so well…but friends will tell you that…and my friends will come…I guess…they may have just been telling me that to be nice…and then find some excuse not to show up… will anybody come?…It was nerve-wracking…and when she did fall asleep, she dreamed of a store full of goods…with customers demanding products she didn’t have…and Thomas Bering laughing at her…

     “For Ladies Only” was scheduled to open its doors at 9 AM, October 1. Robin was going to be open from 9 to 5, Monday through Friday, 9 to noon on Saturday, and closed on Sunday. She had a tree full of knots in her stomach as she arrived at the store at 7:30. Rhonda and Marge were scheduled to work each day from 8 to 6 that week, with an hour for lunch. After the grand opening, they would work 8:30 to 5:30, the latter to help get the store ready for the next day, and they would work alternate Saturdays. Robin stopped in the street outside the store and looked at the big yellow and red “Grand Opening” sign dangling from the roof; it could be seen halfway down Main Street. Robin’s hand trembled as she unlocked the front door. She went inside and fidgeted. There wasn’t really anything to do, except get some money into the cash register. But she checked this and that, straightened everything two or three times, and when Rhonda and Marge arrived, she had them straighten everything up again. Robin went into her office, fiddled with her hair, smoothed out some imaginary wrinkles in her dress, made sure her make-up was perfect. Her palms were sweaty and she couldn’t keep them dry. Marge and Rhonda both tried to encourage her.
    “Everything is going to be fine, Robin. I’ve had dozens of people tell me they’re going to come,” Rhonda said to her.
     “Oh, yeah, people will tell you that, but then not show up. I just don’t know…”
     She was in her office at 8:30, nervous, but checking and rechecking her books to make sure she had them the way she wanted them. A few minutes later, Marge came in and smiled. “Robin, come here, I want you to see something.”
     “What is it?”
     “Just come on. You need to see this.”
     Robin was irritated, but that was only because she was so tight. She arose and followed Marge out to the showroom. “Go peek out the front window,” Marge said to her.
     Robin walked up to the front of the store. She had designer blinds over the main windows; she would raise those when she opened the store; she didn’t have a curtain on the door yet. She saw a couple of faces peeking in the door window, which gave her some hope, but when she pulled back one of the blinds slightly…she couldn’t believe her eyes. There were at least 50 women standing out there, talking, more of them trying to look in the door window, pointing animatedly. It was difficult to see inside because it was lighter outside than in, but the women were doing all they could to see what the store offered. And Robin could hear the buzz.
     “Oh, my,” she muttered, and stared at her two helpers, amazed.
     “We told you,” Rhonda said with a laugh.
     “We…we can’t handle that crowd,” Robin said.
     The two ladies laughed again. “Well, you better get ready to, because they are going to be mad if you try to turn them away.”
     Robin peeked out again. “I can’t believe it, I just can’t believe it…” But she was thrilled beyond description. They are actually coming…to MY store…I can’t believe it…

     Robin opened the door at 9 AM sharp and her store was inundated with shoppers. There were at least 70 women—a few brought their husbands—and it was crowded, but they spread out and Robin, Rhonda, and Marge had trouble keeping up with them. Well, the latter two; Robin worked the cash register and she worked it almost constantly.
     “Oh, Bertha, come look at this…”
     “I’ve never seen that style before. I’ll bet Harry would love that…”
     “Mmmm…smell this soap, it smells so goooood…”
     “Well, how about this perfume?…and on sale, too!…”
     “Oooo, look at all this neat kitchenware. That would be so handy…”
     “Oh, she has jewelry, too! I love those earrings! Rhonda, dear, are those genuine emeralds?”
     “Yes, ma’am, the real thing. All of our jewels are real and we have certificates of authenticity that we can give you…”
     “George, honey, I simply must have this fabric. Feel how soft it is. Don’t you think it would make a divine dress?…”
     “Yes, dear, it is very pretty…”
     “Robin,” Marge asked at one point, “do we have any more of those new slips? They are snatching them up like crazy.”
     “Yeah, I’ve noticed. I think we’ve got six more boxes of them back in the storeroom. Go check, will you, Marge, I can’t get away from the counter….”
     Robin was swamped and thrilled at the same time. The buzz in the room was non-stop and she almost always had somebody at the register—usually a line—ready to make their purchases.
     “Oh, Robin, I just love your store. I’ve never seen so much stuff that I just must have…”
     “I’ll be back every week, you can be sure of that…”
     “These are just adorable. Where did you find them?…”
     And on and on it went. Robin, Rhonda, and Marge worked right through lunch, though Aunt Martha thoughtfully brought some sandwiches and tea.
     “Thank you, Aunt Martha, I’m famished. Look at all these people! I can’t believe it…”
     “Oh, I can, dear, I knew your store would do a wonderful business.” And then she bought a couple of items, too.
     Robin pulled a bunch of cash out of the register and stuck it in a canvas bag. “Oh, Aunt Martha, would you go deposit this in the bank for me? I don’t want this much cash in the store…”
     The only real sore spot in the day was when the mayor, Randolph Grey, and his fat wife Gloria came in. Grey was obviously looking for votes, showing up where lots of people were and going around, shaking hands, politicking, though there was no election scheduled until the next year. He spoke to Robin.
     “It’s wonderful, Miss Morrow, just wonderful that you’ve opened up this fine, new establishment. Our fair city is growing and it shows when enterprising people open new businesses like this. I know you’ll make a positive contribution to our community.”
     What a blowhard. “Thank you, Mayor Grey. I’m happy to be here. Excuse me, I’ve got some customers waiting.”
     “Of course, of course.”
     Gloria Grey female-dogged about everything. “Ugh, look at this material Randolph. I wouldn’t put that in the cat box…This kitchenware is cheap. It will probably break down after being used only two or three times…Ooo, this perfume stinks. Can’t you find something from France? They make the best perfumes….” And on and on. She had that sort of reputation in town so nobody paid much attention to her, but Rhonda threw a glance at Robin that said, “Can’t we kick this witch out of here?”
     Robin made a face and just shrugged. They’d have to put up with her.
     “Well, I’m never coming back here,” Gloria Grey said in a huff as she led Randolph out the door.
     But Mayor Grey had the final word. “You folks have a nice day, and if you need anything, be sure to come see me.” He waved and was gone. Robin just shook her head.
     Other than that, the day went perfectly. It was the busiest, and most rewarding day of Robin’s life.
  
     It took her two hours to count up all the receipts when the day was over. Geez, we made over $400 today…I can’t believe it…I just…can’t believe it…She dropped the rest of the money in the bank’s night deposit slot and got home after 9. “I’m exhausted,” she told Aunt Martha.
     “Well, eat some supper and then go to bed. You need the rest.” Good ol’ Aunt Martha. Food and rest, that’s all she thinks I need…
     The next day wasn’t quite so busy, but still a lot of people came. Robin took a few minutes to run down to the telegraph office and have Cotton wire another order to the wholesalers. Smaller orders they could get out sooner, but it would still take at least a week, and probably two, to get the stuff in, so Robin was going to have to keep a close eye on inventory. She had a pretty good idea, from the day one sales, what the big sellers were liable to be, so she wanted to make sure she had enough in stock all the time. Cotton said he’d send the message out immediately.
     “I’ll be back later to see what it costs and pay you,” Robin said.
     “Okee-dokey,” the old man replied. “Hey, you got any cee-gars in that store of yorn?”
     Robin laughed. “Nope, sorry no cee-gars.”
     “Well, hmph. I ain’t gonna go buy no wimmin’s underwear, that’s fer shore. Git some long johns in and I’ll come a’runnin’.”
     She laughed again. “Maybe I’ll branch out into that some day. But I’ll have to change the name of the store to something other than ‘For Ladies Only.’”
     The second day’s sales were over $250, and for the total week topped $1,200. Robin knew that she obviously wouldn’t do that well every week, but it was a nice pad in the bank account. Of course, it wasn’t all profit; she was going to give Rhonda and Marge a $25 dollar bonus for the month, and she had to pay on her bank note, which might end up being her biggest expense. Because the Comptons did their work for free, that saved her a huge amount. So of the $15,000 Eric Wilcox put at her disposal, she only used about $7,500 of it. She was going to have to pay about $150 a month on that. Then, of course, she’d pay for any goods she ordered, but the more she ordered, that meant she was making more money so that would balance out. At the moment, once the grand opening was over and things settled down, Robin figured on expenses of close to $400 a month--$150 for the bank note, $60 in employee salaries, and $100 for replacement merchandise and other expenses (like insurance, taxes, telegraph wires, advertising, etc.), and then a $50 miscellaneous expense, or “cushion” fund for anything unexpected that came up. That wasn’t quite $400, but she wanted as much padding as possible. She hoped she could average selling about $500 every normal month—Christmas was coming soon and she figured to get a little extra boost in sales there. $500 a month is only about $20 a day, that’s not too much…Sounded good anyway. Hopefully, there won’t be any major surprises, expense-wise…
     Unfortunately, that isn’t what happened.