Harvesting the American Dream by Karen Richardson

Author:Karen Richardson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Mentoris Project

Although the Gallos had plenty of land, some of which was still bare, they didn’t have the capital to build a winery or a storeroom. A real estate broker showed Ernest an empty ten-thousand-square-foot warehouse for rent just a couple of miles from the home ranch. Conveniently, there was a rail spur that led to an outside loading dock, meaning they could roll wine barrels directly onto the railcars and save money on trucking the barrels to the station. They could even pump it directly into tank cars. The space was perfect. Ernest stood outside the freestanding ivy-covered building with George Beard, the building’s manager.

“How much?” Ernest asked, trying not to sound too eager.

“It’s a hundred a month.”

“That’s kind of pricey, don’t you think? I’ve been driving by this corner almost my whole life. This place has been emptier than a banker’s heart. How about fifty? That’s fifty more than you’ve been getting.”

“Fifty? Can’t do that.” Beard shook his head as if to underscore his words. “Lowest I can go is seventy-five,” he countered.

Ernest pursed his lips and puffed his cheeks. This was only the third property he had looked at. He still had other options and he needed to watch every penny. He released the built-up air from his mouth in a long exhalation. “Sixty and we’ll take it,” he said at last.

Beard placed his hand on Ernest’s shoulder. “Ernest, I feel just terrible about what you boys have been through. Jane and I wanted to help and a beef stew just didn’t seem like enough. Sixty it is.” Beard took a step back and stretched out his hand.

Inwardly cringing at the reference to the troubles and the blatant charity, Ernest accepted Beard’s hand with gratitude. A deal was a deal.

The following day Ernest met with the owner of Rossi Machine Company in San Francisco. Rossi had made crushers and presses before Prohibition. Like Ernest, he had predicted the demise of Prohibition and was preparing to capitalize on its death. In the seven months since Roosevelt’s victory, Rossi had traveled all over the state, as far south as Los Angeles, the birthplace of the California wine business, looking for neglected equipment he could restore and sell. He sold Ernest a reconditioned grape press and crusher on extended terms.

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