We're Moving!

[BulldawgMusclecars]

Due to overwhelming growth the last several months, we have been looking for a larger shop. We love our current location, which was built as a Chrysler/Desoto dealership in the late '40s, but the building needs lots of repairs, and isn't reflective of the quality work that we can do. Plus, its way too small...around 3,400 square feet, with about 2,900 of that being usable shop space. Add in the numerous posts in the way, and its a major hassle for moving cars in and out of the shop. The main advantage the shop has is its visibility...its right on Main Street/Old Hwy. 41, and just down the street from the Acworth historic district. I have seen a few shops go from a smaller, but visible location to a larger location in an industrial park, and their business suffers from the lack of through traffic.

Fortunately, the new shop has all the advantages of the old one, with none of the disadvantages...its right across the street, in what is currently North Cobb Mower. The building is around 6,000 square feet, and has been divided into two equal parts. The main shop area is in the rear; the front has offices, parts storage, and a very large showroom that is going to serve as a "clean" assembly/display area, as well as a retail sales area for performance parts. We also have a large, secure lot in the rear for additional storage.

We'll be moving July 1, and plan to have our official Grand Opening on August 11, in conjunction with our normal monthly "Meet and Greet".

[JEFFTATE]

That new building is gonna be good for business Joe .
It's a prime location and plenty of room for growth .

[ehummelman]

Congrats Joe, that's good news. I'll volunteer an extra pair of hands for the move if you want some help.

[BulldawgMusclecars]

Thanks! I'm really looking forward to getting in there...though moving all this stuff is going to be fun!

[GeoffP]

That's great news Joe! I am excited for you! I wish I was closer so I could drop by once in awhile.

[71duster]

thats awsome joe! hopefully i can get down for the grand opening!

[WS6]

Glad to know business is going well for you, Joe. Congrats on the move.

[MrQuick]

congrats!!! movin on up is a good thing.

[CruizinKev]

good news :twothumbs congrats Joe :cheers:

[SparkyRnD]

Joe, awesome to hear of the new building, I know it's been a long time coming. I'm sure everyone at BDM will be much happier with more space to work around!

[xxxturbo6]

Congrats on the new building Joe, Hopefully we can make it there for the grand opening too.....

[Tony_SS]

Congrats Joe! I'm glad to see you guys doing well...

[BulldawgMusclecars]

Thanks! We're really looking forward to the move, though it does make an already-busy shop that much busier! I got it cleared with the city today, so there are no zoning issues or anything. I still have to get a new business license (!) and get the fire marshall to sign off on it, but that shouldn't be a big deal. It will be nice not tripping over cars, parts, and each other!

[LeighP]

Congratulations...its real nice to hear of a business that has to move because they're doing too well! :)

[protouring70]

Hey thats great!!!! I too hope to come down for open house!! I have been wanting to come but couldn't find the time but hopefully I can make this!!!!!

[zbugger]

That's awesome. Good luck with the move. I've helped out moving a shop I think three times now. MAJOR work to be done, but plenty worth it. Amazing how quick the shop will seem small again though.

[SparkyRnD]

It will be nice not tripping over cars, parts, and each other!

yeah, but as your business grows and you have more space, inevitably it will get filled up in short order. the perils of being popular!

I think about 30-40% of the stuff to be moved are parts waiting to go into Sabre! Those poor cabinets are going to be quite happy once sabre is back together!

[ehummelman]

Congratulations...its real nice to hear of a business that has to move because they're doing too well! :)

Totally agree. All we see lately are businesses closing, not expanding. I think one of the keys to Joe's success is that he has made a concerted effort to grow very slowly and not overextend himself. That's smart business. Congrats again Joe.

[BulldawgMusclecars]

Totally agree. All we see lately are businesses closing, not expanding. I think one of the keys to Joe's success is that he has made a concerted effort to grow very slowly and not overextend himself. That's smart business. Congrats again Joe.

Thanks Erik! I started this business with practically nothing, other than a very good (for a hobbyist) collection of tools. Some of you who know my history are aware I used to be a finance guy, and may assume I was rolling in cash to start a business, but between the downturn and some health issues towards the end of my last career, that just wasn't the case. I knew I wanted a major career change, to something more enjoyable, and just over 2 1/2 years ago I started working on customer cars in my home 2-car garage. I leased the shop (actually less than 1/2 the current shop, barely big enough for 3 or 4 cars) in November 2010, and expanded into the other part 2 months later. I was still a one man shop back then. Now, we employ 3 full timers other than myself (will be 4 when Ben gets here), and one part timer, and may add another full timer this summer. I think that will give me the staff necessary to keep projects moving well, without getting "too big" and losing our small company attitude, or having to let people go when times get tighter (hopefully things will improve after the election). That is very important to me. I'd like to thank all my customers and friends here...you have helped make my dream a reality.

[BulldawgMusclecars]

yeah, but as your business grows and you have more space, inevitably it will get filled up in short order. the perils of being popular!

I think about 30-40% of the stuff to be moved are parts waiting to go into Sabre! Those poor cabinets are going to be quite happy once sabre is back together!

If we get crowded over there, Mike has already said he'd be glad to lease the current space to me again. I may take him up on it, we'll see, but that will be several months down the road, at least. It may one day become our manufacturing area.

[SparkyRnD]

I remember talking about that, and having that option is great for ya'll. Hopefully you'll still have the display area up front for Sabre to hang out in when finished!

[BulldawgMusclecars]

That is the plan...clean work and displays will go in the front showroom.

[SRD art]

As I've said before, congrats on the new building. The race of success isn't won by the fastest, but by those who endure to the end... and use their brain.

Good things happen to good people and you're one of the nicest people I've "met", Joe.

I'm really looking forward to joining the team as Bulldawg heads into the next phase. I'm really really looking forward to being around pro-touring and other hot rods all day instead of lifted 4x4 diesels, that's the hot rod of choice out here.:sleeping:

[BulldawgMusclecars]

A couple shots of the new shop:

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/06/IMG_1354-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/06/IMG_1355-1.jpg

It looks pretty small in the pics, but its about 6,000 square feet, and has a lot more fenced in space for outdoor storage, too. We'll be doing lots of cleaning and painting over the next couple of weeks!

[CornHusker4Life]

Ben, What is the problem with Lifted Trucks? You just have to have both. A pro touring car and a lifted truck:smoke:

[BulldawgMusclecars]

Hey Jarrod, your Camaro...the new one...got to christen the shop early this morning! It was the first one to go in!

[CornHusker4Life]

Hopefully, Maybe it will be one of your flagships!!!! Cannot wait to see it and the new shop:usa:[SUP]

[BulldawgMusclecars]

The move was a major pain, even just going across the street! You never know how many cars and parts you have on hand, until you have to move it all. Hopefully, any further expansions will be into additional buildings, and not having to move it all! We're still surrounded by boxes, but the shop is back open for business. The phones and internet were finally turned on yesterday.

[Vicinity]

What? No interior pics? C'mon, I love shop pics. :)

[BulldawgMusclecars]

They're coming! Just need to get things unpacked and organized a bit first!