Yes, seems quite likely to me that they had the JV agreement signed and approved before a location was found, a multi-year lease was negotiated and entered into with the landlord, construction initiated and equipment ordered. Latter process for commercial spaces usually takes 3-6 months (sometimes a year) in my own experience as plans must be approved by a city department before construction could begin. When they say the WSC will begin operation next Dec, every thing has most likely been executed. What may hold things up in "last minutes"is getting the final construction approved by the city and/or health department in case of food retail businesses, hiring/ training staff and receive the first inventory of goods, preparations for a grand opening made .... before the place opens for business. Every thing takes much time in practice, especially an endeavor of this size. I am certain they have been working on this project for many many months.
