“Excuse me?”
He grinned. “I like a challenge. We’ll talk after,” he said decisively. Moving around my form, Kyson reached for the pencil behind his ear and held up his clipboard.
The property manager stood near Jasper, waiting patiently.
“Okay, show us what you’ve got,” I announced with a clap of my hands and more bravado than I felt.
The property manager took us through the main space first. It looked very similar in size to Gypsy Soul but Kyson said it was actually ten feet wider, which was ideal since we planned to have some tables and chairs for people to sit and eat their treats if they so desired.
“Wiring is a problem.” Kyson pointed up to the ceiling and then to the sockets in different places. “You’ll need entirely new electrical. None of this is up to current codes.” He marked something on his clipboard.
“Here’s the kitchen. As you can see, it’s pretty rough.” The property manager pointed to the broken-down countertops and the beat-to-hell small oven.
Jasper cringed as he opened the metal door and peered inside. “How did she manage with all of this old equipment? It doesn’t seem like it would even hold its temperature let alone be able to make a wide variety of candies.”
“Over the years the original candy shop owner started offering fewer and fewer homemade items until finally it was just over-the-counter candy. I don’t think she even baked any of it herself in the last five to ten years, but she had some extended family working here until she died. It’s been empty since Suda Kaye moved into Gypsy Soul,” the property manager clarified.
“We’ll need multiple ovens with the ability to release the heat. Multiple refrigeration units and everything in between,” I announced, scanning the space.
Kyson moved along the wall and inspected each socket as well as the stained ceiling tiles that looked like they used to be in an office building—not ideal for a bakery. “I’d suggest we tile the entire room for safety, cleaning and comfort.”
I nodded.
“You’ll need to show me what appliances you are considering for your business so I can determine the needs for the structure, electricity and setup. Though the place has been a bakery for years, so it should be able to withstand the demands. It’s also plumbed well.” He pointed to several drains in the floor. “Means you can hose this all down each night and keep it really clean.”
Off to the side of the kitchen were three different doors. One was metal with a reinforced bar Kyson had to push to release the lock.
“Fire door and exit.” He opened it and we noted a small parking lot and several large Dumpsters toward the back.
“Those are only used for these buildings and there are three parking spaces per business,” the property manager announced.
“Cool, so we don’t have to take up a potential customer spot on the main strip,” Jasper said and she nodded.
Another door looked like it was attached to a massive freezer. I watched Kyson open it and peer inside before he disappeared behind it.
I went over and dipped my head around the door and was surprised to find a pretty wide and rather long refrigeration unit. Sturdy metal shelves lined the space neatly.
“This is amazing,” Jasper gasped.
“Does it work?” I directed my question to Kyson.
He fiddled with something behind the door and all of a sudden, we heard something click. Cool air shot from the vents in the floor and ceiling.
“Yup, but I’d like to leave it on so we can determine if it runs smoothly, gets to the appropriate temperature we set it at and stays that way.” Kyson jotted something down on his clipboard.
The property manager nodded. “Leave it on. I’ll tell the owner that I have potential tenants who need to know if it works properly or not.”
“If it does, that will save a ton on equipment, Izzy,” Jasper noted.
I walked out of the unit and to the other door. “And this?” I asked, pulling it open. It looked like it led up a flight of stairs that I imagined went to the apartment.
“You were interested in renting the apartment on top as well, correct?” the property manager asked.
“Yes, but this door goes right into the kitchen. Even if we didn’t want it, the landlord couldn’t rent it to someone else and allow them free access to our business space,” I noted.
She grinned. “I’ve heard that before. From your sister, actually. The owner will lock the door and leave it unoccupied if you don’t want to rent it, but if you do, it will be tacked on to the business rent for a really decent price. We worked it out a year ago with Suda Kaye’s agreement, so it won’t be hard to ensure you get a fair price.”
“Cool. Can we take a look?” I asked.
“Yep, follow me.” She hoofed her small booty and tall heels up the stairs. Jasper followed behind her and I gestured for Kyson to go up ahead of me.
“Ladies first.” He grinned.
I squinted, pursed my lips and pointed to the stairs. “It’s the twenty-first century. Men are allowed to go before women up a flight of stairs. In fact, I insist.” I harrumphed and that bit of my sassy self from earlier made an appearance once again.
He moved close to me, casually put his hands on my biceps and turned me around before leaning into my ear from behind me. “If you think I’m not going to take the opportunity to watch your stellar ass and long legs move up those stairs, you’re crazy, honey. Better hurry, they’re waiting.”
I was just about to respond when Jasper whooped and clapped. “Izzy! Come up here right now! You’ve gotta see this!”
Once more, I glared at Kyson. He smiled wide and chuckled. “Fine!” I spun around fast and dashed up the stairs, winded once I hit the top. I leaned my hand against the wooden door frame as I caught my breath.
I could not believe what I saw.
Jasper’s eyes were the size of lemons. His entire body practically vibrated with happiness.
“Oh, boy.” I looked around at the antique furniture filling the space. Curved arms and fancy crushed velvet material the likes of which you’d see in a castle, definitely not on top of a run-down bakery. The walls were something else: shimmery gold wallpaper striped with fuzzy burgundy fleur de lis.
The property manager seemed shocked as she turned in a circle, a horrified expression on her face. “I... I was told that whatever was in the place was left for the renters to have. We knew there was some furniture left but I was not expecting it to have this much. I can talk to the owner about getting it all removed. And the wallpaper... My God...” She held her hand in front of her face.
I felt a warm hand curl around my hip and one cup my shoulder. Kyson ushered me into the space.