New Shop Opening!

[GlassMan]

I was thinking about you and everyone who made it down there this evening. Wish I could have been there.

Hope the place was crowded and lots of people bought stuff!

[RockyR]

Despite biting winds and cool air, our opening night was a SUCCESS! Thank you to the 12 men (and women) in kilts that came out to help us usher in the next era of our company! And Thanks to the Bagpiper and Drummer that REALLY helped us Kick it off on the right foot!

Let me tell you guys... as I said to people last night, having a REAL retail location with walk in traffic is a very new experience... In our old shop we'd only get 2 or 3 customers on a Sat. We could take NAPS between customers... We didn't NEED many people b/c we sell 70% of our stuff online. With our new shop, we had LOTS of people coming in and buying stuff off the rack... people that would NEVER drive to shop at JUST our store are buying things b/c they're "in the area". It's an experience I had forgotten about (I was in retail a while ago). This is NUTS!

Again... thanks to everyone for coming out and sharing a few pints with Kelly and I on this VERY happy occasion! It was too bad that many people had to leave early, but a 2+ hour drive is NOT fun when you've had a few and you're tired, so we understand!

[bubba]

Well Rocky, looks like you might need to hire sales staff as well as seamstresses pretty soon. Congrats my friend.

[Sherry]

Congratulations, Rocky. So glad it was a big success for you.

Sherry

[Verlyn]

I thought the shop looked great and it was a real treat to finally meet some of the list folks in person. The downside was the pub we all went to made Magnus and I put our pipes out (they did ask nicely and explained when they get the correct filter, we can smoke our pipes there). On the up side, they had Guiness and Bass on tap and the bartender knew how to make a real Black and Tan. I asked for one in a supposed Irish Pub in San Diego one time and had to teach the bartender how to make it. I have got to get one of those Scottish Nationals and one of the Ireland Nationals. But those will have to wait until after the family is outfitted for my daughter's wedding. My wife got to meet Kelly and Rocky and saw first hand why I am so tickled in dealing with them. Cold notwithstanding, that was a wonderful way for me to celebrate my first week on my new job.

[sav]

Sure was a nice time. My buddy Joe and I came up about 6ish, stopped in the shop, then had a nice stroll about town. We ate at a restaurant suggested by Rocky, the Black Lab Bistro, very good! After spending some time exploring the various shops in the IronWorks district, we headed back to the shop just in time for Rocky & Kelly to join us after closing the shop. It was great to meet Verlyn and Magnus for the first time, and to see some other XMarks members again. The only downside (besides not being able to smoke pipes!) was that with a 2+ hr drive, we had to leave early! Bully job with the shop, Rocky & Kelly, and expect to see some business come through the door!

[Magnus Sporrano]

I have a couple of pictures to get out of my camera, of what the shop looks like with customers in it. Shame I didn't think to take pictures when it was PACKED (which is to say most of the time I was there from just before 8:00 to just before closing when it finally trailed off some). The shop was SLAMMED with people coming in and out all night, saw one of them order a kilt (w00t!). It was only after things were slowing down a bit that I got some pics. Will post them tonight if I can.

The shop looks really great, and is in a wonderful location for getting lots of curious people in the door. I predict USA Kilts is going to double its number of employees soon just so Rocky & Kelly can keep up with the kilt workload while at the same time taking care of all of the customers walking in the front door (not "insider knowledge"... just a guess after seeing how busy they were)

Congratulations to Rocky & Kelly for pulling off a major hurdle in the growth of their business empire. :-D

[MACKAY]

I have to echo everyone's comments. The pictures posted last week do not do the shop justice. Rocky and Kelly have put together a very professional and great looking shop! Excellent lay out with a great selection of merchandise available.

It was also great to see so many people in there, both old friends and new, shopping and browsing and just plain having a good time. Also, it was treat to meet Kelly’s Mom who was busy working behind the counter as well.

The Piper and Drummer were excellent!!! I loved hearing them playing 'Scotland the Brave' as they walked up the street with a gaggle of kids following behind.

I am sure this is the first of out the door lines and standing room only evenings at the new location. Best of luck and look forward to my next shopping trip :-)

Brian Mackay

[Magnus Sporrano]

Also, it was treat to meet Kelly’s Mom who was busy working behind the counter as well.

There was no mistaking the family resemblance there! The apple sure doesn't fall far from the tree, does it?

The Piper and Drummer were excellent!!! I loved hearing them playing 'Scotland the Brave' as they walked up the street with a gaggle of kids following behind.

I regret I didn't have the pleasure of hearing them play. I went straight for the store just before 8:00 and didn't see the piper/drummer until they were finished up and came back to the shop.

[MACKAY]

There was no mistaking the family resemblance there! The apple sure doesn't fall far from the tree, does it?

I thought they were sisters at first!

Brian