New Website

I am in growing pains!  While the building itself is coming right along and the store is doing great on the weekends....I am hitting roadblocks with my process approvals and decor decisions...either one by itself does not seem lethal, but put them together, with garden duty....believe me it is....not to mention, taking a crash course on website management....I keep telling myself, it will all work out...and we will look back on this part of the growth as a fun learning experience...or not!

My two primary goals in life today is work on this website.....and get the buttons working....and work with UGA on my product process approvals....then...back to the garden...seeing as I picked corn and butter peas this morning...tomatoes last night...looking for squash, zucchini, cucumbers and white 1/2 runners this afternoon...

See ya tomorrow...

Comments (1)     

In 2009 we decided canning our goods was the direction we wanted to take our business.  Little did we know the hiccups that we would have along the way.

We chose this route to expand mainly because Rick and I both shared the love of good homecooked meals...especially those in the middle of winter when you could open a quart jar and relive the taste of summer.  Not to mention Rick was keen on his dad, Jake's, picked green tomatoes and wanted to let everyone taste them (for a price of course)!

Anyway, to continue....we did our ground-work and began planning our expansion...the next few posts will be on the different phases of opening a small batch cannery in Georgia with a few tips on what to or not to do along the way.

Thanks for looking in....

Lisa @ Jakes

Comments (1)     

This weekend was our official weekend opening and considered a success!  Jami's news ads were published in several local papers which generated interest from people outside our neighborhood which is always welcomed!

The garden was almost on time with all its production.  We were able to include almost everything planted this year even a few ripe tomatoes.  Our squash, zucchini, cucumbers, peppers (bells, jaleapeno and chilli), white 1/2 runner beans and corn were fresh picked Thursday evening for Friday's opening day.  We did make our weekly trek to the AFM Friday morning for peaches and melons....and they are delicious!  Next week we should have more fresh garden picked vegetables plus berries...can't wait!

Let me give you a quick update on the construction.  They began pouring the concrete for the ramp into the new addition and we obtained yet another completed inspection on the electrical, plumbing and HVAC.  They will be installing insulation, ceiling, doors and windows this week as well as completing the ramp and working on the exterior roof and facade. I'll try to post a few picks later this week.

Thanks for stopping in this morning for a quick update on our recent events, we look forward to seeing you at the store soon.

Comments (0)     

Last weekend was a blur....up at 4:30 AM Friday heading to the Atlanta's Farmers Market.  There were lots of produce ready from South Georgia (Cordelle, Woodbury, Vidalia) but North Georgia is still not quite ready for market.  Since we are opening only two days a week for now, I decided to purchase variety over quantity.  Peaches, cantalope, watermelon, tomatoes, vidalia onions, plums, corn and shelled peas were my main purchase.  Fillers included green onion, radishes, new potatoes, garlic sleeves, squash, bell peppers, jaleapeno peppers and cucumbers. 

The first weekend opening was good.  We had a few folks stopping in just to see what all the activity has been in the neighborhood and chatting up the neighborhood gossip.  We also had others just passing by and noticing the signs who decided to stop for homegrown vegetables.  We also had quite a few of our returning customers from last year stopping by for a tomato and peach or just to welcome us in for the new season.....this is good!  I am looking forward to more weekends like this.....

Comments (1)