Jenny: Let’s hop in.

Rasheeda: Yay.

Jenny: All right, so we are talking on August 21st.

Rasheeda: August 21st, yeah.

Jenny: Just to set the stage of where we are in the world. Ra was just saying there was some weird karmic energy happening over the last week.

Rasheeda: Like a triple fold of it. I agree.

Alex: Good karma, bad karma, somewhere in the middle? A little bit of both?

Rasheeda: Both.

Alex: Okay, that’s good.

Rasheeda: Some karma and some universe.

Alex: At least it’s not all bad karma. I’ll take it — there’s something good in there.

Rasheeda: No, please, balance it out. I have faith.

Jenny: We have faith. So, you have some big updates for us this week.

Rasheeda: I have some major updates.

Jenny: So we’re going to talk about construction and the actual build this week.

Rasheeda: Yes.

Jenny: So what’s happened since we last checked in with you?

Rasheeda: Part of construction and the major update is that we’ve pivoted to a new team for construction — and that happens.

Jenny: Happens.

Rasheeda: It didn’t come out of nowhere, but it reached a point where the gut feeling got stronger through our communications. To give you context, I do a lot alone because my partner travels a lot. He came home last week, and once he got back, the tone shifted — I felt supported again.

Rasheeda: Some things I hadn’t been comfortable expressing or didn’t know how to express right away made me feel like I was compromising, just to avoid being “problematic.” But as soon as he got home, I felt stronger. We looked at the space together, and he wasn’t feeling it either.

Rasheeda: Over time, I had communicated what I wanted, and while we talked through it, there were compromises I made — like letting things go that didn’t feel right. Whether it was measurements, door placement, or details — it all added up. When we met as a team with Kendu back, there was a lot of back and forth that didn’t sit right.

Rasheeda: Even as construction continued, the look didn’t feel like the Bowery Market. If we didn’t feel that as the chef and owner, the guests definitely wouldn’t either — they were drawn to that feel. When you walk in, even unfinished, you can feel the energy — and it just wasn’t there.

Jenny: So was it more about them not executing on your visual vision, or actual disagreements that made you terminate the relationship?

Rasheeda: It was more about the feeling and the visual. Once cabinetry and everything started going in, it felt separated. I have this look in my head — classic, old New York home mixed with that dark-wood ramen shop feel — and the balance wasn’t there.

Rasheeda: The attention to detail at Bowery Market was everything, and we just weren’t getting that. There was something lost in translation.

Rasheeda: And I’ll admit, I let some things slide to avoid seeming difficult. But then my partner showed up and was like, “Yeah, no.”

Jenny: Did you guys have— oh, go ahead, Al.

Alex: I was just going to ask — in hindsight, because that’s what we’re doing here, sharing lessons — what do you think you could have done differently to avoid ending up here?

Rasheeda: Absolutely. One huge factor — and this is on me — is that they never gave us a sketch.

Jenny: That’s exactly what I was about to ask.

Rasheeda: When Kendu arrived, he asked for a sketch. They didn’t have one. That shifted the mood. There wasn’t an agreement for renderings, even though we’d had multiple meetings. But we never got anything physical until the day of that final meeting — and it didn’t feel right to get it then, three weeks in.

Rasheeda: We needed renderings to align measurements, structure, and flow — and we didn’t have that for weeks. Eventually, I just stopped asking and decided to trust them. But that gut feeling never went away.

Rasheeda: At Bowery Market, we had renderings. Everything was clear — “this is what the window will look like, this is the wall, this is the layout.” No confusion. Here, that side of communication was missing, and it caused real-time chaos.

Rasheeda: It gave me so much anxiety — I felt uncomfortable, and after that day, I just didn’t feel good.

Jenny: Were they opposed to giving you a rendering?

Rasheeda: Well—

Jenny: Just so we can flag red flags for folks in the future.

Rasheeda: Yeah. Okay, I’m huge on sketching. I sketch everything — from fashion to food, every plating, every setting. So for this project, I kept asking for a sketch. They’d say, “We’ll send it tonight,” or “You’ll have it today.” But I didn’t get it until that last day — and by then, my emotions were involved.

Rasheeda: It wasn’t a bad conversation, but it could have all been avoided. With all due respect, if both sides had something visual to align on, the delivery and direction would’ve been seamless.

Rasheeda: In the future — renderings matter. Sketches matter. Mockups matter. Even one sheet of agreed-on visuals saves you from confusion. Without that, you’re just winging it — and I had five people going at it in real time.

Alex: So what does that mean now — do you have to undo things to move forward, or can you keep going?

Rasheeda: We’re moving forward — with the team that did Bowery Market.

Jenny: Did you get a sketch yet?

Alex: Please say yes.

Rasheeda: Yes — but it’s new as of this week. We’re at the start of transferring everything over. The confidence I have now comes from returning to the people who already built my original look.

Rasheeda: It doesn’t mean the first team didn’t deliver — they did fine work — but things didn’t align. Then, the universe stepped in: the original Bowery contractor reached out to check in.

Jenny: Just randomly?

Rasheeda: Within that week, yes.

Jenny: Totally random, like “Hey, how are you?”

Alex: Interesting.

Rasheeda: Yep. “Hey, how are you? We’re back in the States, checking in.”

Jenny: Did they know you were already building?

Rasheeda: They assumed so — we’d talked before they went overseas, and time had passed. We told them we had moved on, but when he reached out, it just felt like the universe sending a sign.

Alex: Are there any real financial implications? Were you too far in with the first team?

Rasheeda: No.

Alex: Okay, great.

Rasheeda: It was a respectful, clean transition. We’re all in the same circles — this wasn’t about burning bridges. Kendu explained how we felt clearly, with grace, not emotion.

Rasheeda: We met in person, handed over keys, wished them luck. They’re opening something soon. We both wanted transparency — better to speak up and part ways than stay stuck.

Rasheeda: I waited a couple of days to cool off before making the final call. By Monday, it was official: we ended with one team and signed with the other.

Jenny: So you terminated the first contract on Monday and signed the new one the same day?

Rasheeda: Yep, the next day. Total transparency. We were chasing a specific look, and going back to the original creators made sense — even if it meant adjusting cost and time.

Jenny: Did you lose money on materials?

Rasheeda: No — thankfully, most materials were already purchased. It’s really just labor now. The new team looked at where we were and said, “You have most of what you need — we’ll handle the rest.”

Rasheeda: They’re taking over supply and labor, and it makes sense. We met in person, walked through everything, and figured out how to pivot forward.

Alex: What about time — has your timeline changed?

Rasheeda: We lost a week.

Jenny: Just a week?

Rasheeda: Just a week.

Alex: That’s not bad.

Jenny: Honestly, I love your drive to keep your timeline — it’s impressive.

Rasheeda: I pushed it. I’m holding myself accountable.

Alex: So does that week come out of your prep time?

Rasheeda: No, I’m not cutting that. I need my solo month.

Rasheeda: What was October 1 might now be October 15 — but realistically, I’m shooting for November 1. That gives me breathing room. I’ll pay October rent up front and use the time wisely.

Rasheeda: And here’s the thing — reservations go live before opening.

Jenny: So you’ll get revenue ahead of time.

Rasheeda: Exactly.

Jenny: You use Resy, right? People prepay?

Rasheeda: Yep, and I get the funds immediately — maybe a one- or two-day delay to clear. Even if someone cancels, I already have their payment and can reschedule them.

Alex: That’s great — you could have revenue coming in October but not open until November.

Rasheeda: Exactly.

Jenny: Will you open reservations a full month ahead?

Rasheeda: I thought about that — but I’ll stick with two weeks. Locals prefer shorter notice, while tourists like longer. Two drops per month feels balanced.

Jenny: Yeah, that makes sense.

Alex: So give us a physical update — what’s happening inside the space now?

Rasheeda: Cabinets are all installed, but with the shift, some things will change. One wall has more depth than the other — it’s off-balance. That would’ve bothered me forever, so I spoke up.

Jenny: So you’ll fix that with the new contractor?

Rasheeda: Yep. I know myself — those things eat at me. We’re taking one side down, bumping the wall out, making everything flush.

Rasheeda: We upgraded the water heater — the old one had to go. Water’s critical for ramen, so we got a fresh one for proper recovery during prep.

Rasheeda: Floors are done. The layout has cabinets on each side, with double doors in the middle leading to the bathroom. But because of that offset wall, the doors bump out too much.

Jenny: Oh no! Another design issue?

Alex: What happens — does it swing out too far?

Rasheeda: It swings in now for space. But yeah, we’re adjusting it. The next team will fix that so everything aligns.

Alex: For a minute there I was picturing saloon doors!

Jenny: Same — we’re all flapping our hands like doors right now.

Rasheeda: No! It’s like French doors, technically leading to the bathroom, not a pantry. It gives separation — two stations, then the back-of-house bathroom.

Alex: Staff only?

Rasheeda: Staff only.

Jenny: Tell us about that decision — ADA compliance, right?

Rasheeda: Yeah, that was one of the hardest calls. For small shops under 18 seats, you’re not required to have a restroom. But we wanted to include one for hospitality and to serve beer, wine, and sake.

Rasheeda: The problem: alcohol service requires an ADA bathroom. And with only 220 square feet, that would’ve cut the kitchen in half.

Jenny: So if you don’t serve alcohol, you don’t need a customer ADA bathroom in NYC?

Rasheeda: Correct.

Alex: And if you do, it has to be ADA?

Rasheeda: Exactly. That means full wheelchair access, turning radius, wider doors, all of it — basically half the space.

Jenny: So you’d lose the kitchen.

Rasheeda: Yep. I’d be selling beer and wine, not ramen.

Alex: The tiniest bar in the East Village!

Rasheeda: Exactly. So we decided: more seats, no beer and wine.

Jenny: It made more sense numbers-wise?

Rasheeda: Yes. The extra seats bring more value than the liquor license ever could.

Jenny: And since you’re a breakfast ramen shop, that fits.

Rasheeda: Exactly. Instead, we’ll focus on the window — that replaces that lost revenue stream through faster foot traffic. The window is valuable real estate.

Rasheeda: The person who would’ve helped with drinks will now manage the window flow.

Jenny: Smart pivot. How do you communicate to guests that there’s no bathroom?

Rasheeda: I’ve already researched it — tons of small NYC cafes don’t have one. It’s about communication. We’ll set expectations everywhere: on the site, on Resy, on social, in confirmation emails — “please use the restroom before arriving.”

Alex: Love it.

Jenny: “Pee before you come.”

Rasheeda: Exactly — “Go pee!”

Jenny: “Pee before you come!”

Alex: You’ll be fine for 45 minutes!

Rasheeda: We’ll provide scented disposable hand towels like high-end omakase restaurants do. It’s familiar, it’s hygienic, and it fits our vibe.

Jenny: That totally makes sense. Very Japanese, very intentional.

Rasheeda: Exactly — small counter, quick turn, warm towel, good smell. It’s all part of the experience.

Jenny: And it fits your hospitality — thoughtful and elevated.

Rasheeda: Yes. I want it to feel like Rosella — cozy, beautiful, cared for.

Jenny: Rosella is such a great comp for you guys.

Rasheeda: We were there last night!

Jenny: So good.

Rasheeda: I learn from everything and everyone. Customers should feel seen and cared for.

Alex: They’ll feel that.

Jenny: Their vibe is exactly what you’re going for — it feels like you’re in someone’s home.

Rasheeda: That’s the goal.

Jenny: And next time we’ll talk more about hospitality and service.

Rasheeda: Yay!

Jenny: You mentioned going all-electric in back of house — tell us what that means.

Rasheeda: The setup is fully electric. I learned at Bowery Market that efficiency is key — no gas, no vents, no fryers. It’s just induction and boiling water — simple and clean.

Rasheeda: The previous tenant used electric too, which saved us huge time and permits. No DOB headaches, no venting needed.

Alex: So you didn’t have to upgrade anything?

Rasheeda: Nope — I’m using less power than they did.

Jenny: Perfect.

Alex: That’s awesome.

Jenny: So what else needs to happen before opening?

Rasheeda: The equipment’s all in storage downstairs. Next steps are finishing the wall depth correction, moving the bathroom door back, building the four-seat counter, adding two extra wall seats, and finalizing the window setup.

Rasheeda: We’re also adding arches for visual flow and a limewash finish on the walls — a softer, old-New-York vibe.

Jenny: I love a limewash.

Rasheeda: Me too — it’s fairytale, like old prewar apartments. I want people to feel that mix of Bowery grit and vintage charm.

Rasheeda: The dark wood connects to ramen tradition, and the limewash adds warmth and femininity.

Alex: Exciting — I can’t wait to see it come together.

Rasheeda: Me too.

Alex: While construction happens, what’s going on behind the scenes?

Rasheeda: A lot of PR prep — meetings with my team, lining up press, planning previews. Essence wants to do another “Diary of an Opening” following up on their first feature.

Rasheeda: I’m also planning intimate preview dinners in September and October — small private events that let me test the space and reconnect with my flow before opening to the public.

Rasheeda: NYU wants to collaborate, which I love — ramen connects to college life, comfort, and affordability. I want to offer that feeling of care even on a budget.

Rasheeda: Belly is also planning a private celebration before the opening — they’re naming Ramen by Ra their #1 ramen on the app, and we’re talking about a supper club series.

Rasheeda: I’m so grateful. These small events help me get back in rhythm and let supporters celebrate the journey.

Jenny: Did you hire a new PR agency?

Rasheeda: Same one as last time — I just have more time to engage now.

Jenny: Perfect.

Rasheeda: I didn’t have that bandwidth during Bowery Market, and this time, I do. This story and this shop deserve it.

Alex: We’re so excited to see the rest of construction — and we’ll be back next time.

Rasheeda: Yay! Me too.

Alex: What are we talking about next time, Jen?

Jenny: Next time, we’re diving into building a brand — something Ra’s definitely an expert at.

Alex: Ooh, fun one.

Jenny: Fashion, food — all the good things.

Rasheeda: Creativity overflow!

Jenny: For sure.