I'm delighted to share that this week we are able to make the big switchover to modern electrical service. Danny Haselton, our electrician, will lead the switchover of our main power. We will be 100% without electricity during on the 29th of August. We will be open, but dependent upon natural light. I intend to offer credit card transaction options using my cell service if possible, as well as cash and check payment.
I told Chris I thought being in an old bookstore with natural light seemed like "an event;" Chris called it, "Roundabout Unplugged."
In many ways, it may be mildly inconvenient, but, if like me, you love being in old buildings seeing the shadows and thinking nostalgic thoughts, it may be just the day to visit. (You may have noticed that I often post pictures of our store in the shadowy natural light, whereas other stores many times use this only to connote being closed!) Even--or perhaps especially--if you aren't looking to purchase anything, feel free to use it as a chance to see a place freshly. Although it may not be as quiet as sunlit pictures suggest with the electrical construction work going on, it might be a great time to think about the nitty-gritty of engineering and sustainability; I'm certainly happy to share with you our projects and ideas if you are interested, too!
This project is, for us, another iterative step towards environmental sustainability. Our former factory building currently has "high-leg" three phase service, which is not compatible with modern photovoltaic connections to the grid. Our new service will allow us to continue our work with Greenfield Solar to install 24 kw of solar panels, which will fulfill all or nearly all of our net energy needs at Roundabout. We're happy to working with them to install this big project this fall! So, keep an eye out!
Warmly,
Raymond
PS: the photo in this post is 85 Pierce Street around 1890, then Diamond Electric Soap Company, before the addition of the 1940s era brick building (or any electrical or phone wires).