The final frontier

[fbhjr]

Phoenix Swords has been practicing at Hoops Archery for years. We really like the owners. It’s a good space. While the location isn’t great, it isn’t bad either. We’ve certainly had worse.
Hoops is trying to consolidate its space and is offering us the half they won’t use as a permanent practice area. Right now we use it for between 3 and 5 hours a week for $200 a month. This would be 168 hours a week for $500. That’s certainly better per hour. And, it would let us store the troupe stuff there instead of in our spare room.
The problem is $500 a month is a big hit.
Phoenix Swords only makes about $10,000 a year before expenses. Our current rent was 22% of what we made last year. That’s not a bad percentage. This new offer would be 55% of what we made last year. And, there are still other expenses.
I’m very torn on the whole thing. I think it is a great opportunity. But, I’m afraid it will cost too much.
We’ve looked at other ways to offset the extra money, but so far none have panned out.
I have to admit, I’m disappointed another group we thought would go in on it with us has decided not to do so.
We can do classes or something like that to help offset it. But, even the classes where the teacher worked for free we didn’t make money. And, we’d need to have a class a month to make it work. At that point we become a school, not a performance group. (Nothing wrong with schools, it’s just not what Phoenix Swords was set up to do.)
It just feels like either way I’m going to think I picked the wrong one.

Comments

[blue-micha.livejournal.com]

My feeling on it is that we should stick to what we have. There's no garonte with the way the economy is going that there will be enough people willing to pay for an extra curricular activity. (lessons)
I know JR's hurting for help, but if he decides he can't take it, even if we pick up the 500 offer, than there is the loss of the space completely anyway... and having to lug everything back to your house... that is, if it all goes down nicy nicy and our stuff doesn't get locked up on us. (haven't you said the property owner is shrewd in his dealings? and JR isn't always spot on in telling us new events)
my two cents.

[fbhjr.livejournal.com]

It's 18 months before it would happen either way. So, while that is a good point about our stuff getting locked up, that's a good bit of time before it would happen. (JR is rent free until then, but has to pay the taxes and other bills. So, it's pretty sure he'll be open that long.)

[perrin-o-ravnos.livejournal.com]

my vote is if there is no one else to offset the price then it is too much. if all your looking for is storage space theres one up the road thats probably cheaper.

[fbhjr.livejournal.com]

The main use would be practice space. When we wanted, not just when Hoops was closed. I used to like the Wednesday night ones, and think we got a lot done with them.
And, I'd like to do more historical work. Specifically with falchion and you.
A space we could use on our own terms is a big advantage for that.