Big Dreams on Ram Cat Alley: A Seneca SC Renovation Update
Wow, it has been a minute since I’ve shared an update—and let me tell you, we are overdue! So much has happened since we closed on our building right here on the charming and historic Ram Cat Alley in Seneca, SC—and if you know me, you know I didn’t waste a second before diving into all the things.
Literally the day after closing, I jumped headfirst into three massive tracks:
- Securing funding for construction
- Finding the right contractor (because not just anyone can bring this dream to life)
- Figuring out how on earth to launch an ice cream shop
Y’all… this is a lot. Add in the fact that it’s tax season over at Empowered 2 Profit, and whew! It’s been the kind of busy that’s wild and wonderful all at once.
Construction Loan Progress in Seneca SC: What’s the Hold-Up?
Let’s kick things off with the “boring but necessary” part: funding. I’ve been working with banks to figure out how to finance this Ram Cat Alley project. Since B Lakeside is still technically a startup (and it’s being classified as a restaurant), a few banks weren’t super eager.
But here’s the good news: Empowered 2 Profit, our existing and thriving business, will also occupy the space. That opened the door to a construction loan—yay! The final piece we’re waiting on? The appraisal. If all goes smoothly, I’m hoping for a closing by the first week of May.
Shoutout to the team at First Citizens Bank—they’ve been helpful, informative, and just overall kind throughout this whole process.
Finding the Right Contractor for Our Ram Cat Alley Vision
The contractor search on Seneca SC’s Main Street was a journey. I had five different teams come out to see the building. One dropped out due to timing, another never submitted a bid, and three came in with nearly identical pricing.
From there, it came down to gut feeling and payment terms. One wanted 50% upfront—a hard pass, per my bank team. That left me with two solid options, and I’m so excited about the contractor I chose. He’s genuinely enthusiastic about what we’re building here on Ram Cat Alley, and I can’t wait to introduce him once things kick off.
Also, before I could even get quotes, I worked with FD Design to bring our vision to life—and they nailed it. The space they designed is exactly what I was dreaming of.
Ice Cream Dreams on Seneca Main Street
Here’s the thing about a commercial building on Seneca SC Main Street—it’s here to generate revenue. Every day it sits empty, it’s costing us. So I had the bright (and slightly impulsive) idea to launch an ice cream cart while we wait on renovations.
Our spot is steps away from Jazz on the Alley, which happens every Thursday and brings hundreds of people to Ram Cat Alley. It felt like the perfect way to start building our presence and connect with the community early.
I bought the cutest ice cream bike—seriously, she’s adorable—and paired her with the most Instagram-worthy umbrellas. She’s going to be a Main Street showstopper.
Starting a Mobile Ice Cream Business in Seneca SC
Of course, I had no idea how much red tape comes with launching a mobile food business. Thankfully, I’ve got Kristi from Krist and Co in my corner. She’s been my go-to since 2019, and she’s helped me tackle everything from finding a commissary kitchen to passing inspections and managing legal paperwork.
Now we’re diving into the fun stuff: making the ice cream and getting ready to launch! I’ll share more on that adventure soon.
Bringing Community and Business Together on Ram Cat Alley
Every single day feels like a whirlwind—exciting, nerve-wracking, inspiring, and yes… expensive. But it’s all worth it. I’ve got an incredible team walking this path with me, and I truly believe we’re building something special—not just for ourselves, but for the entire Seneca SC community.
Our dream is to transform this historic Ram Cat Alley building into a welcoming place for locals, visitors, and business owners alike. A space where Empowered 2 Profit can thrive, where families can enjoy a scoop of ice cream, and where our community can come together. We’re just getting started… and I can’t wait to see you on Seneca’s Main Street real soon. 🍦
