Chapter 20 #2
"I wasn't expecting such a thorough presentation," Judy said.
"You still think the beer bath is a good idea," Malcolm said flatly.
I stepped in. "Opening a brewery is expected.
You'll get people at the inn to wander over, but you might not get any locals or other tourists staying nearby.
If you advertise a beer bath, you'll get more publicity.
It will draw more people. I've done my research, and I think we can't open the brewery without it.
It's what makes the business unique. It will market itself.
When people check into nearby hotels and inns, the concierge will mention it, because it is worth mentioning.
It is something unique that tourists can do, and they'll want to say they did it.
It's the perfect destination. They can go to a brewery in their hometown, but few places include the bath. "
I went to stand next to Rowan. "I'm investing in Rowan's business. I'll be consulting every step of the way and throwing my money behind it. That's how much I believe in Rowan's idea. We can renovate a building on Hart property, or we can buy land nearby and build the business there."
The table fell silent.
Raymond cleared his throat. "What do you mean you can set up somewhere else?"
"We believe in this business idea, and if you don't see it as an extension of what you're building here, then we can do it somewhere else."
"You would really do that?" Malcolm asked.
"Yes," Rowan said before I could. "You didn't like the idea, so we had to be prepared for any scenario."
Malcolm stood, throwing his napkin on the table, and walked out of the room. "I have to check on McCoy."
I let out a breath. It was important to have Malcolm on board, but we figured this would happen. I turned my attention to everyone else.
"I don't know about the beer bath idea. It seems risky," his father said.
"It is risky. That's what makes it great.
" It was the reason I was willing to invest and put my name behind the project.
"It's also what brings attention and customers.
The pictures of the renovated building with that view and the baths.
It's the perfect experience to go home and tell their friends about. "
"Isn't this what we've been talking about? We need something that's different," Judy said to the table.
"In keeping with the Hart theme, I'd like Boone to provide the bar and the furniture," Rowan said.
"You're saying you want me to build it?" Boone asked incredulously.
"I know it's a lot of work, but you'll have time during the renovation." Rowan pulled out the pictures he'd drawn of the interior space.
Boone perused the design and said, "That's a huge project."
"We're going to put the history of the property on placemats at the tables or even framed on the walls, and I want to say that a Hart built the bar and furniture."
Raymond leaned back in his chair. "I like that idea."
"I want to incorporate the whole family into our businesses. Everyone should get a say in the decisions," Rowan continued.
Raymond frowned. "We always include everyone."
"We all know it's usually Malcolm making the final decision," Rowan said.
I was proud of him for handling his family's questions and putting Malcolm on blast. It was time to make a change before any more expansions were considered.
"Do you really want him building the brewery off property?" Judy asked Raymond.
"Well, of course not. It makes sense to have it here," Raymond said, like the answer was obvious.
"But what if Malcolm is against it?" Rowan asked.
Raymond waved his hand. "Malcolm said you could start with the brewery, then see how it goes."
"We start with the baths, or we don't do it at all," I said.
Rowan nodded. "I trust Beck. Malcolm does too, or he wouldn't have brought him in on this."
"Are you saying that we should do this no matter what Malcolm thinks?" Raymond asked.
"I think we should vote as a family, and majority wins," Rowan said reasonably.
"That seems fair," Judy said, standing to stack dirty dishes.
"Does anyone have any questions?" Rowan asked.
I didn't have to do much of the talking. Rowan had taken the lead.
"How soon can you open?" Clara asked.
"That's a good question. It depends on whether we're renovating the existing building on the property or we need to purchase property and build. I'd like to be open next fall," Rowan said, his voice more confident now.
"A fall opening would be amazing, with the leaves on the trees changing color. The pictures will be great," Clara said.
That wasn't something I'd even thought about. But she was right.
"Do we want to vote now, or give everyone time to think about it?" Judy asked.
"Let's give Malcolm some time," Raymond said reasonably.
I'd already given him time and didn't want to give him anymore. But I had to be flexible. This was a big decision, and they wanted Malcolm to be in a good place.
His father got up and came around the table. "I'm proud of all the work you've done on this."
"Thanks, Dad."
"For what it's worth, I'd like to see that building used." Raymond gestured at the picture of the building that we'd left on the wall.
"We used to play in that building, remember?" Clara asked her brothers. "We'd have picnics and pretend it was our real house."
Boone nodded. "We'd play there for hours."
Hunter chuckled. "I'd lead hiking tours through the woods, and then we'd eat a picnic that Clara had packed."
"Remember the time she packed cookies and nothing else?" Callum asked with a smile.
"They were freshly baked at least," Clara said.
Judy sipped her iced tea. "I loved how the property was your playhouse. I like the idea of giving that building to Rowan and letting him make it into something."
"I'd love to see that building being used. A place for the community to enjoy," Clara agreed.
Raymond leaned on his elbows. "If we allow Rowan to use that building, it will be part of our legacy."
"What about Malcolm?" Rowan asked.
Raymond waved his hand. "He'll come around."
Most of the family was excited about the addition. Malcolm was the holdout. I had a feeling I had to be the one to talk to him. To figure out what the problem was and fix any objections he had.