So finally the day has come in Louie's journey where the books were open in his family. Louie has been a good earner for his family for the past little bit, always kicking up his taxes and never crossing people. He kept his mouth shut because he knew actions spoke louder, and he was welcomed into the family with open arms. Now that he had his button which he wore proud throughout Chicago, he knew it was time to step up his earning to the next level to contribute to the family to the maximum.

While walking down the streets of commercial South Side Chicago, checking on his muscle running protection, he came across one store in particular that caught his eye. The store was for sale and a large sign above the entrance read "The Combination, Locks and Security.". The large front window displayed "Locksmith, safecracker, keymaker, Alarm Systems,"  and below it a sign which read "FOR SALE BY OWNER - CALL: [#]. It was quite a fair sized shop sitting on it's own tucked back from the street a bit. Parking was available around the back with a backdoor entrance to the back area of the store and the upper level which appeared to be an apartment used for storage.

Louie stood in front of the store and thought of the possibilities. He knew his way around locks, often breaking friends and other wiseguys out of the clink. He was also skilled with tumbler locks with his history in safecracking on scores. With the employment of the right people he could also specialize in alarm systems too. He could run this front business legitimately and run a robbery racket right out the back room, of any high end customers or businesses who may need some security...

Louie pulled out his phone and dialed the number displayed on the sign out front. When the person picked up the phone he was greeted by the voice of an older man. Louie informed this man that he was interested in the property and that he wanted to meet here for a tour, which the man responded he was on his way.

(To be continued...)

After a meeting and tour through the business with the owner, we talked numbers. He explained that he went bankrupt and now needed to sell the business to recover. The price he wanted was cheap, but the work the place needed was abundant.

I juggled whether I should seal the deal with this guy or not. I could afford to do it, but would it turn out...

After further consideration, I took his deal. Way I see it, if I want it to turn out, I gotta put in. Renovations started immediately on the storefront and backroom, and within a week, I returned to a finished business. It looked perfect, beautiful. It was a great feeling to have this as a trophy of my many accomplishments. All the work in renovating the place to suit my every need. Under my management and the business being backed directly by this thing of ours, I knew it would flourish. Both in the legitimate business of locksmiths, and in the illegal opportunities that come with it.

I turned the key and opened the door to my new store. Completely renovated, stocked shelves, and my men would be arriving soon. I went into the backroom and it looked great. Plenty of sitting areas, tables, a pool table, T.V, radio, a bar, everything. The offices I had put in for me and Paul looked great too, I knew he'd like his as much as I liked mine. 

I sat in my office chair with a bong in my lap. As I sat there, and reflected on all my accomplishments leading up to this, I felt like I had finally made it. I was a businessman now. Not that I'd ever be done with all my other hustles but I felt like all that was a side thing now. The sky is the limit with this shop. Let's make it happen.

(Vist the store here: https://mafiareturns.com/comm/thread/1181312)