At Last – An Account of the Glittering Launch!
November 19th, 2007 by Vanessa
I’m sorry that it’s taken me so long to write this - blogging is supposed to be an immediate thing and taking 10 days to report back on the opening of our shop when I’ve been banging on about it for so long is a bit poor…
Anyway, the launch party for the shop was held on Thursday 10th November and although the place looked like a building site at the beginning of the week with no flooring, shelving or lighting and a pile of scaffolding in the middle of the shop area, by Thursday it did look rather fab if I say so myself.
Nearly everyone we invited was able to come which was lovely and by about 7.30pm our shop was packed out by friends, writers and book trade people. I supposed we could have spilled out onto the pavement in a sophisitcated Continental manner but November evenings in Edinburgh don’t feel very Continental. Unless your continent is Russia that is. Instead everyone just squeezed up a little and fortified themselves with more wine. I’m terrible with names at the best of times so in the end I resorted to calling everyone darling. I didn’t manage to talk to everyone properly either which was a shame but I think I got round most people. 
I was made to say a few words and I loathe doing that sort of thing but after a couple of glasses of wine I think I did quite well not to cry. Another glass or two and I have no doubt that it would have a case of proper sobbing and muffled protestations that ‘I love you all. I really do’.
But it was a great evening as I hope these few pictures convey and got our new adventure off to a wonderful start. Thanks to everyone who came and helped us crack a metaphorical bottle of Champagne over our hull!
It all looks great and I especially like the shop front. But who is who on the photos, and more importantly, where are you??????
Yay! How lovely to see your pics at last and what a great party. Is that your brother in the picture top right? He looks a little bit like you. Nice view from the mezzanine too! Your bookshop is just lovely. Soo-ooh much wish I could have been there to celebrate with you and wasn’t laid up poorly on the sofa.
Hi MaL – no that isn’t my brother although he is called Matthew too!
Great to see it at last – it looks fab. Are you in the middle picture in the middle? The sign on the front looks fantastic.
Oh dear! Sorry.
So pleased it went well Vanessa. The shop looks fantastic!
It was great!!
Congratulations on the lovely shop.
I’m looking forward to seeing it,and you,next time we’re in Edinburgh.
Glad to meet you via my blog, Vanessa. Those books look wonderful and congratulations on the shop – terrific! Sorry I won’t be dropping in but as you know Cornwall is a long way from Edinburgh! I wish you all the best.
Looks super, Vanessa and I can’t wait to see it on the 10th of December….Nicky Morgan looking spiffy!
Oh, it all looks fantastic! Heather (who you’ve met) and Lisa (who I don’t think you have?) are coming up to mine/my parents’ for New Year, we’ll simply have to have a day in Edinburgh to come and stare (and buy…with all our lovely Christmas money!)
I agree about being Continental in November. It can only be done when a great deal of wine has already been consumed!!
~K xx
The shop does look great and I hope I’ll be back soon to deplete your stock!
[...] business sideways and open a specialist children’s bookshop, and a year since we actually threw open the doors and welcomed the readers of Edinburgh into our shop. At the launch party I was made to give a [...]