After being in our lovely 13,000 square foot warehouse for over five years, we were faced this summer with the prospect of moving or trying to build onto our warehouse. After working with the City of Bellingham to get a waiver for the 22 extra parking spaces they initially told us we needed to add (apparently they were treating our warehouse storage space like retail), we started planning for our very-needed addition in earnest. It was important to us to be able to stay in Bellingham and not add to the problem of sprawl in our county by being forced to move out there so we were thrilled to be able to add on to our building and stay in Bellingham city limits.
There’s a lot that goes on with a building project of this magnitude, not the least of which is that the City of Bellingham wanted us to put a sprinkler system into our entire 13,000 square foot warehouse and not just the 2,500 square foot addition. That added an extra month or so of delay and a significant additional cost. But in the end, we are happy to sprinkler the entire building to help keep firemen safer should a fire ever break out in our building (knock on wood). The middle photo up above is Norman, our COO and defacto General on the building project, wearing my pink soaping goggles to protect his eyes as the gravel gets poured.
After all of the i’s were dotted and t’s were crossed, we had the permits in hand but alas, it was October – much later than when we had originally anticipated starting and the start of the rainy season. We had our very first cost overrun the first day but luckily, one week later, nothing new or major has cropped up that wasn’t planned for.
This is the difference between 1 week to the next. Check it out! Trusses! Yay. Soon, by next week, it won’t even matter if it rains because the roof will be on. Yay!
We are so thrilled to be adding on to our space because it means more room for new products and more room to better serve you. We’ll keep you posted on how the building project goes. Right now, we’re just all thankful it’s not raining yet…
butterflytc says
congrats on the expansion Anne-Marie!
Jessi says
Congratulations on the addition! And also, thank you for thinking of the firefighters’ lives and not just the money wasted in putting in the sprinklers. My significant other is a firefighter and being the spouse of a firefighter is stressful! Even if it cost you more I think it’s worth it in the chance it could save someone’s life.
Anne-Marie says
Thank you! We are absolutely beside ourselves with joy now that the building project is up and running.
Anne-Marie says
Thank you! Our warehouse team will be so happy when we get the extra space for them to move around in =)
Anne-Marie says
So far, so good … no rain today. And a full crew out there working. Let’s just pray it holds.
Anne-Marie says
I know! We’re absolutely thrilled and every day, are so excited to see what the job site looks like.
Anne-Marie says
Thank you! Dealing with the banks and the city on this was definitely a learning experience. The entire process took us about 6 months longer than we were anticipating so when you get there, start earlier than you think you’ll need to =)
Anne-Marie says
Aw, thanks! It will happen for you too. You have such incredible soap that you’ll need to expand in no time!
Anne-Marie says
Yay re: your beer soap! =) The building will be a nice dull brown to match our existing building and the character of the neighborhood. The inside, we’re not sure about yet. We’re so slammed for the holiday ordering season that we haven’t had a moment to even talk about that kind of stuff yet. =)
Anne-Marie says
Thank you. It is quite exciting for us and a little bit scary too. =)
Anne-Marie says
You never know. BB moved 5 times in our first 6 years. That first step out of the home was a big one but once we did it, we never looked back.
Anne-Marie says
It’s as energy efficient as a warehouse can be (which is not nearly as good as a residential home). Bramble Berry is an energy neutral company however so we do pay extra for all of our energy so that we can replenish the grid with wind or solar energy. Our current warehouse is fully insulated(an add-on we did after purchasing the building) so that definitely helps with energy efficiencies.
Melissa_R says
Congrats on your expansion. Very exciting news!
Tiggy says
wow! you are the best! so glad to see you expanding further.
x
Sparklebrook says
How fun to be able to expand! I hope it all goes smoothly!
Marmalade Hills says
Wow! Great news! Congratulations! Rain, rain go away… π
tanyachappell says
Great pics Anne-Marie! How exciting to be expanding π
Katherine says
That is so great….I aspire to be where you are soon. Congrats!
Natalia - EnJabonArte says
Oohhh Congrats! im happy for you!
I dream of the day when i say the same: “Im expanding” wuuaa tears come to my eyes π …
SierraSnowSoaps says
Oh boy! Room to do more fun things with! I loved the beer soap you made, mine is coming along. What color are you painting the walls?
Michelle in NV
Jen says
Congrats on the expansion! π
Donna Maria Coles Johnson says
Very exciting! Congratulations on your new space and expansion! I’m happy for you, and also inspired. Though I doubt I’ll be adding any warehouse space anytime soon. Who knows what the future holds though??!
Dewfallen says
How energy efficient is it?