BEFORE...

Exciting news! After searching for almost 3 months, and negotiating a lease for 2, I finally found the perfect space and have started on the buildout. Here's some pictures of the space as it came. Consider these the before shots.

Outside the shop. The owners (great guys) got some grant money from the Portland Development Commission to improve these storefronts. We're working on those changes, but for now I'm concentrating on the inside.

The tree in the foreground is growing in one of those nifty rain swale curbs the city has been putting in. The curb bulges out into the streetside parking area to encompass a parking-spot-sized planter. As rainwater runs down the street, it flows into drains on the curb and down into the swale. They are planted with different species that can actually digest the chemicals and nasty junk in the runoff before it seeps into the groundwater. Secondary benefit: a garden replaces a parking spot.

This front area is going to be the gallery and showroom. Where people can come in, look at books, buy stuff. Every publication is going to be launched with an event, be it a reading, art show, performance. This is where a lot of those are going to happen.

This kneewall divides the space nicely. The back two-thirds is the workshop area. As you can see, most of my equipment is moved in. I have to thank my boyfriend Jordan, my friend Justin, and my sister Lizi for helping me with the move. The press alone weighs about 2500 lbs. Its a beast. I'm sure there are professional movers who eat this kind of thing for breakfast, but we're DIY. The move was hard, but without major incident. Thanks again guys.

A shot of the press. She's a beaut, huh? In the back, the guillotine, another beast.