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Leslie McGwire: A Q&A About the Remodeling Process with Baxter’s Fine Jewelry September 17, 2024 (0 comments)

West Bloomfield, MI--Questions and answers with Paul Messerlian, owner of Baxter’s Fine Jewelry in Warwick, RI.

1. What are two most important steps you can take before the remodel begins?

You need a well-planned out design to follow that has all your objectives clearly laid out and goals of your remodel.  Are you remodeling to create a new environment, or are you looking to increase space and improve functionality?  Once this is established you need to set a realistic budget and timeframe to accomplish this project.  If you are moving to a new location, it's easier than trying to remodel your current location and stay open during the process. This will not only be challenging for your staff but will create security concerns which need to be addressed. 

Another important step is picking the right contractor.  Research must be done to make sure they have a solid reputation, good reviews, and get recommendations from companies or people who have worked with them.  Verify their credentials to make sure they are fully licensed, insured, and bonded. Try to get estimates from multiple contractors not only for pricing but materials used, timeframe to accomplish the project, and a written agreement that is clear and outlines all aspects of your project not only including payment schedules but start and completion dates. 

[Paul Messerlian, president and Janina Messerlian, his daughter and vice president, owners of Baxter's, Warwick, RI]

2. How important is it to have a great architect, interior designer, and GC for your store's remodel?

We have all done projects without the use of a GC, architect or an interior designer and they all have come out respectable but having these professionals involved in your store's remodel is essential for creating a cohesive, functional, and aesthetically pleasing space that will help you meet your business goals and will enhance your customer’s experience.

The use of an architect is necessary to make sure that any structural changes or layouts are safe and comply with local building codes not only protecting the owner but also staff and customers. They also give you technical knowledge and can provide creative solutions for structural elements.

One of the most important partners to use for a store remodel is an interior designer. The reason for this is simple, they are better at it.  They focus on the aesthetics and functionally of the space and with the direction of the owner or project manager will help create a look and feel that reflects your brand’s identity that will enhance your customer’s experience.  They also provide insight into the latest trends and have access to a large assortment of materials and finishes that will ensure your store is visually appealing and functional.  An interior design will help you with where to allocate your budget effectively, prioritizing key areas which will result in avoiding costly mistakes.

Depending on the size of your project the use of a general contractor can help tremendously.  They manage the execution of the design, ensuring that the construction meets the specified standards and timeline of your project.  They also coordinate the construction process, from hiring subcontractors and making sure their work was done properly to helping source materials and that the project runs smoothly.

By using these professionals in your project, you will create an efficient team that will work together to streamline communication preventing delays.  Each team member will manage their aspect of the project resulting in staying on schedule and within budget.

The investment you make in these professional will ensure that the remodel not only looks good but also stands the test of time, adding long-term value to your store.

3. Would you ever want to be your own GC and why?

On smaller projects the use of a GC might not be necessary.  If you have a relationship with a plumber, painter, handy man etc. you can call them and get the job done.  I believe the use of a GC comes in when the scale of the project is greater, and your time is better not spent on scheduling contractors but more focused on growing your business.

4. Where do you think most of the budget in remodeling should go into: Interior designer services, Cabinetry, Flooring, Lighting, Architects, General Contractors etc?

The GC manages the entire construction process, and the Architect is crucial for structural layouts, meeting building codes and regulations.  Although these are important the bulk of the money for a store remodel should go into the visual appearance and branding of your store. The experience you give your customers and the feelings they get when walking into your store will give you great long-term rewards. I believe the bulk of the projects budget should be spent on lighting, not only above the showcase but the lights inside as well, flooring, showcases and let not forget our jewelry displays. Either rewrap your existing displays or buy new ones. This will help all your old jewelry look new again.  

5. How important is it to have an interior designer work through the design process with you?

When starting a project, we think we can do it all ourselves.  We have been around a long time, and we know where to buy or can research where to purchase all the materials needed.  We even know the contractors who can do the work. What we lack is the knowledge and experience in putting it all together.

Having an interior designer involved in a project was the best decision I made.  The attention to detail, understanding the design principles and the thought that goes into creating a functional working space is not as easy as it sounds.  Working with a designer can be highly beneficial and will significantly enhance the success of your project.  Designers can foresee potential issues and provide creatives solutions, ensuring the remodel process goes smoothly.  I knew what I wanted and with the help and guidance of a designer I was able to translate my vision into a reality that met all my specific needs.

Designers can introduce unique ideas and elements you might not have considered adding a uniqueness to your project while being cost efficient.  They have access to a wide network of suppliers and resources often at discounted rates which will save money and help stay in budget.  Their expertise and the value they add to the project often make it a worthwhile investment, leading to a more successful, less stressful and satisfying remodel.

6. How important is the floor plan to your overall completed store? Traffic Flow.

The floor plan is the foundation to overall success of your store. It impacts customers experience, sales, operational effectiveness, and brand perception. Investing time and resources into developing an optimal floor plan can play a significant dividend in the long run.

7.What did you like during the remodeling process? 

I liked seeing the progress of growth and creating something new and making everything more efficient.

8. What did you not like during the remodeling process? 

There are so many things I didn’t like about the remodel process but mostly the daily mess and noise we had to work through and the early morning start times especially on Saturdays and Sundays.

9. Were you overall happy with the interior design services? Please elaborate for example from the Floor Plan Design Process, many specific Selections chosen, and the Specifications of all finishes needed for your store.   

The interior designer is very patient and was extremely helpful through this process not only for her design capabilities but also her guidance and friendship. We talked about our brand and what I wanted the new store to feel like and she said I will send you a few things to look at.  Next thing I know I am getting packages in the mail with a whole design board of potential options on what we could use with a layout of where everything was so supposed to go.  It made the process very easy and efficient. The interior designer helped with our floor plans, cases design and finishes and brought it all together with exceptional showroom lighting, colors and furnishing to create not only an eye pleasing cohesive design but one that is that is very efficient for daily activities and events.

10. What are your thoughts about the General & Advance Lighting Design and the Selection of Decorative Lighting Fixtures? 

One of my main concerns during this remodel was lighting.  The lighting plays a crucial role in creating an inviting atmosphere that will enhance the shopping experience and potentially influence customers shopping behavior.  It’s important to create a uniform level of brightness throughout the store to create a comfortable environment. Depending on your needs you might want to create different environments within your store by using different color tones of light but overall select high quality material and finishes that complement the stores interior design but are durable and easy to maintain. 

11. What are your feedback suggestions on working with the team on visualizing the overall design concept?

Working with a strong team helps tremendously on a larger scale project like a remodel of a store.  Working with visual aids leave very little to the imagination and with the use of design boards, photos of previous projects, detailed elevations of cases and duratrans it is extremely helpful in building confidence that you are making the right decisions as you move forward with the different stages of your project.

About the Author: Leslie McGwire™ has over 35 years in business development, interior design and marketing services in retail and jewelry-based businesses. Leslie has won 25 national design awards, including the prestigious Salon Today and INSTORE Jewelry Store ​awards. Leslie has a true passion for business, design in the retail and jewelry industries. Visit lesliemcgwire.com for more information.