I visited an available space, 2535 Broad Ave. (the former Broad Ave. Ballroom), recently. On the outside, this space looks fairly decent. The inside, on the other hand, is quite interesting. I mentioned earlier that the space was "as is". This scared the bejesus out of me, and I didn't know what to think before I got there.

When I walked in and saw so much furniture, I was thoroughly confused. The guy told me they were storing office furniture there, then helpfully asked if I needed any. I declined of course. Trying to overlook the makeshift showroom, I looked at the bones of the place and was pleasantly surprised.

Please excuse my lack of ability to estimate space and height. I should have asked specifically, but I didn't. The ceilings were really high, maybe about 15 ft., which makes me worry about the light bill situation, but it does make it look spacious. The front of the space was probably 1,100 sq. ft. There was hideous paneling on the walls that will definitely have to go! I asked the agent if I could possibly pull it back to look on the other side, hoping it would be some drywall behind it, but no such luck.

So I have a couple of options I want to run by my contractor when he sees the space. I was hoping I could get him out to see it before this blog post but that didn't work out. Anyway, so the ceiling light fixtures were taken out by the previous tenant, which is a good thing because I would want to put my own lights in.

Now we make our way to the back, so he can show me the new A/C unit he put in. Oh yeah, the ducts are exposed in the front of the space, which I looove! This part of the space is about 200-sq.-ft.  The bathroom is perfectly fine, and since it used to be an event hall that was horribly set up, there is a sink on the outside of the bathroom. Which means there's plumbing in the back room, which is perfect for me.

There's another room in the very back of the space which is about 500 or 600 sq. ft. and has so much junk in it. All I could do is be happy that there was an office back there. So I have enough room to have a private office, store my retail inventory, and have a studio so I can make my products and jewelry as well. Aside from having to clean out a bunch of junk, this place is heaven!

I really wish all the lights hadn't been taken out, so I could get some pictures of the space. But when I get an OK from my contractor and move ahead with the renovations, I will try my best to get the "before" pictures. You definitely have to see it to believe it.

So...Graffiti Nail Bar has a good chance of moving to this space. Oh, I should probably mention that he only wants $850 for the space as is and $1,000 if he puts a new hot water heater in and any other small things I would need. I would sign a one-year lease with an option to renew. Anyone would say this space is absolutely perfect, even if I had to do floors and put some drywall up. It doesn't compare to pretty much 2,000 sq. ft. for little or nothing. The meeting with the contractor is next, and I'm hoping that will be done before my next post so I can tell you I hurled money at him so I can nail down a place! 'Til next time!

— Lauren, Graffiti Nail Bar, Memphis, Tenn.