Business opportunity: Help me brainstorm!

[Michael]

Ok, so there is a small spot for a shop in a historic downtown area (small suburb) that is up for rent at $900/mo. This is super cheap since a little over a year ago the same place was going for $2k. The place is surrounded by mid to high end residential suburbs.

Help me think of a business to put there that would have a fighting chance at being profitable in this economy. Can't be a mega franchise (like Subway or anything) due to the historic ordinances. I'd go with a coffee shop but there is too much Starbucks drive through competition. There are already antique stores, flower shops, and one little diner type place.

 

[Quickened]

Pub and Grill

 

[SolaScriptura]

Cigar shop.

-----Added 3/21/2009 at 09:03:33 EST-----

Ooh. I know!

Open a Pawn Shop! That would really class up the neighborhood!

 

[Blue Tick]

Pet Grooming Service (Low overhead and minimal improvements)

Used Book Store (Problem you will have is competing with eBay and Amazon)

Antique Shop ( Need to have enough money to carry you through the lean times)

Card Shop and Boutique (Hopefully there's a demand for it)

Try to determine a need that the area needs and seek to provide it.

Consider zoning, rent increases, trash, utilities, foot traffic, parking, easy access. You want people to access your business quickly and easily.

 

[Scottish Lass]

Is it L'ville? If so, they've got a good pub/grill. I don't remember a shop for local jewelry, handmade/local crafts, etc. If the yarn shop there does well (and it seems to), something unique like this could work.

 

[Happy2BHome]

How about an old fashioned ice cream parlor, soda shop, candy store, etc...

 

[Theognome]

A showroom for decor, art and interior design based on the local architecture.

Theognome

Note- I chose this because I work in an industry that is seeing a huge amount of people choosing to upgrade existing properties in this economy as opposed to buying and building new. It's a very untapped market, for most folks think that people won't spend money on upgrading their homes. They are flat wrong in this assumption.

Theognome

 

[Happy2BHome]

If you had an old fashioned store like I mentioned in my last post, you could also sell carnival foods like funnel cakes, elephant ears, cotton candy, caramel corn, candy apples, rock candy, etc. All those treats that you can't always get when you are craving them because you have to wait until the fair comes to town. If people are shopping the downtown stores and they happen to get hungry, but don't really want a meal, then they will want to stop by your place.

You will make people think about the good ol' days with a shop like that...

-----Added 3/21/2009 at 01:28:26 EST-----

A showroom for decor, art and interior design based on the local architecture.

Theognome

Note- I chose this because I work in an industry that is seeing a huge amount of people choosing to upgrade existing properties in this economy as opposed to buying and building new. It's a very untapped market, for most folks think that people won't spend money on upgrading their homes. They are flat wrong in this assumption.

Theognome

I would have to agree with you on this. My husband has his own paint/contstruction business. He has had quite a few calls on repaints lately and hasn't done any painting for new houses in a long time.

 

[Whitefield]

In this economy .. how about a place where people can sell their plasma. j/k

 

[SolaScriptura]

In this economy .. how about a place where people can sell their plasma. j/k

Now THAT was funny!

 

[Michael]

Thanks for the ideas so far guys.

Is it L'ville? If so, they've got a good pub/grill. I don't remember a shop for local jewelry, handmade/local crafts, etc. If the yarn shop there does well (and it seems to), something unique like this could work.

It's actually in 'downtown' or historic Lilburn (very small)--even smaller than downtown Lawrenceville. I think for something to be successful in that area it would need to be the type of business that people seek out, as opposed to an "impulse" shop.

I like the idea of a nice cigar shop. I only wonder about the longevity of that line of business since the indulgence is slowly being vilified. I was also thinking pet store...ever since I found out that people actually pay more than $3k for an English Bulldog! Something that would work well too would be a bakery that caters (wedding cakes and such) but I don't really do any of that stuff.

Anyhow, if anyone else has an idea, please share!

 

[UKPuritan40]

About your pet store idea, the trend right now I think, is not to buy dogs from pet shops because they are associated with puppy mills, even local pet shops. People who want pure-breds are being encouraged to find breeders directly, visiting the home the dog came from etc. Also, many dogs are finding their way to shelters because of the downturn in the economy. Public opinion is very fond of late, in encouraging getting shelter dogs since the shelters are overflowing. See for example that even the Obama's were going to get their dog from a shelter, hence the long wait to find just the right one...Just sharing this as a factor in your thinking.

Susan
Member Sovereign Redeemer OPC Boise, Idaho

 

[Curt]

car wash.

 

[Mushroom]

1.Upscale gun shoppe. High end, collectibles, antiques, and quality smith service.

2. Executive security store. Like this:

Executive Protection Services This guy started in a storefront in our little town's historic district around 9/11, and it really took off.

3. Consumer Electronics Exchange store.

 

[toddpedlar]

Ok, so there is a small spot for a shop in a historic downtown area (small suburb) that is up for rent at $900/mo. This is super cheap since a little over a year ago the same place was going for $2k. The place is surrounded by mid to high end residential suburbs.

Help me think of a business to put there that would have a fighting chance at being profitable in this economy. Can't be a mega franchise (like Subway or anything) due to the historic ordinances. I'd go with a coffee shop but there is too much Starbucks drive through competition. There are already antique stores, flower shops, and one little diner type place.

Just my two cents. If you don't already have an idea, and aren't already pursuing business opportunities (it sounds as though you're not) and looking for a place to rent, then I certainly would counsel you against aiming after renting the place just to put a business-to-be-named-later in there. I can't see how that is an example of good stewardship.

 

[Michael]

Just my two cents. If you don't already have an idea, and aren't already pursuing business opportunities (it sounds as though you're not) and looking for a place to rent, then I certainly would counsel you against aiming after renting the place just to put a business-to-be-named-later in there. I can't see how that is an example of good stewardship.

No problem there. Wouldn't ever consider going that route.

Thanks though, that is sound advice.