BUSINESS, I want to open a business that will attract political lefties?

[Psychoblues99]

I once owned and operated a music store, a Guitar store. My ambition was to attract the artsy types and provide whatever service they required. I definitely attracted them. They didn't or wouldn't support my business to the extent that the business would be financially viable for me to continue the operation. I continually kick my own ass for poor decisions in product mix, service considerations, credit shortfalls, real estate expenses, etc.

I still own the real estate. Although my income is increased due to my renting it to other users, I continue to desire the operation of my own business that provides a product and service that I can be proud of. I've been advised by very prominent business people to sell tobacco and alcohol from this location. Tobacco and alcohol? I don't need that although I use both. Someday I will quit.

I want to open another business on my property. I want to be fair, environmentally responsible, socially responsible, and I don't mind contributing (financial wise/tax considerations) to the environment that might make my success viable. I really do understand how economies work and shirking responsibility to the environment that might create my own success is just.....just.......irresponsible in my opinion.

Any suggestions other than tobacco or alcohol?

Psychoblues

Dems Gotta Keep On Truckin'.,.,.,,,,,.,,..,,.,.,.,.,.,.,,.,.,.,.,.,..,.,.,,.,.,.,.,,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,,.,,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,,.,..,,,..,..,...,..,.,.,.,.,

[wyldwolf]

1. Adult products? Comics/Sci Fi stuff?

Some of the most striving business in the Atlanta suburbs where I live are adult products stores. How do I know? They keep expanding!! New locations spring up pretty often.

Comic books/fantasy/sci-fi stuff might do well, too.

[Psychoblues99]

6. Very good suggestions, wyldwolf

How do you get adult stuff mixed in with Comic books/fantasy/sci-fi? I think the key word in my request is responsible, don't you agree?

Psychoblues

Dems Gotta Keep On Truckin'.,.,,,,.,..,.,,,.,.,,,.,.,.,.,.,,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,,..,,.,,,.,.,.,,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,

[stevedeshazer]

2. Where is it?

Location matters.

[Clete]

3. Book store with a coffee counter.

Yes, it's a little Barnes & Noble, but it works. Lefties are better educated than righties and they read a lot. It's a good place for them to hang out too. Books are really hard to make money on so you need to have a sideline as well for your profit margin. Some people do cds or stationary or gift shop goodies as a part of their operation. If you are interested, the American Booksellers Association is a goldmine of entreprenuerial information. They also have a convention every year where you can meet all the types involved as well as a lot of the literati.

[Mel]

10. adding onto that idea

thinking more in the 'just coffee shop' vein.
Allow local artists to exhibit their art work on your walls that way you get decor and they may sell some of their work. Say you do one or two artists a month...depends on how big your place is.
Also you could have open mic poetry night and open mic for music night.



You could start a co-op but you might not make a lot of money.

You could just take the coffee out of it and run a Art Gallery and have bands play for artists openings?

Good luck in whatever you decide!

[buddhamama]

13. this sounds like you,PsychoBlues

you could invite bands to play too.

[salin]

15. see my note below - similar idea

but focus more on magazines and newspapers rather than books. Create a different niche than the big chains.

[Psychoblues99]

20. Thnks, Mel!!!!! My numero Uno desire is to expose the magnificent arts of

the not so well known artists. A losing proposition I've been told.

Psychoblues

Dems Gotta Keep On Truckin'.,.,.,.,...,.,,.,..,.,,.,.,.,.,,.,.,.,.,,.,.,.,.,.,,,.,.,.,.,.,.,,.,.,.,,.,.,.,.,.,.,,,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,

[Clete]

26. Okay, I have owned a couple of businesses in my life.

You can follow your muse and do what you want, but you also have to have a profitable sideline that compliments your main passion to pay the bills and the help. You can't do it alone. Also, it's usually better if the owner/operator hovers in the background instead of up front. Also the amount of parking you have may be a problem depending on your location. You need to figure these things out.

[salin]

14. Or less book store more news stand/coffee shop

There area a couple of stores/shops on the Penninsula in the Bay Area that have all sorts of magazines (a few books) from current news to specialty interests (from artsy stuff to techie stuff) - then with a gathering area coffee shop etc. Less pristine and "pretty" than the combination of mags/lattes now available at borders/barne's & nobles - so more like to be a gathering place. (People have coffee at borders, they normally don't make its coffee shop the destination - its about the books).

There are two indie bookstores in our downtown; on really features tons of specialty magazines (and a DUer is very familiar with this place - and its range of titles). It gets a broad range of business. I think it would do Killer business if it combined this with a coffee shop atmosphere.

[buddhamama]

16. good idea,salin

Librechik down below also mentioned used book exchange. in this economy this could be a big hit!

very relaxed atmosphere, groovey music, bands on the weekends, real community feel. a second home.

[RainDog]

19. when it's mine...

I'll do some things differently.. :)

If you really want to start a bookstore, I can maybe help with some info.

where I work we have about five thousand mag titles..including zines, all kinds of music mags, political mags, skateboard mags, alternative energy mags...

how much sq footage do you have to work with?

what's not being done near your site?

in what sort of area is the space located? (where I am, there is a huge university down the street, plus lots of restaurants and some performance venues, etc.

[DagmarK]

4. Doggie Daycare!!!

ruff ruff!!!

Sorry.....I dream in puppies........

[SoCalDem]

7. Pet stuff is B I G .... Lots of middle class middle agers with

empty or never feathered nests..BUT, THEY DO love their doggies & kitties..


Maybe a grooming area.. and an area to rent out to a dog trainer.. a sit down snackbar/bookstore..(gotta do something while they wait)..

serve up natural pet treats..... and natural human treats too..

if you have room, a mini-laundromat/lougne with pool table and tv..

You got it all covered:)

[SoCalDem]

8. Duds & Suds was the COOLEST place when I was in college

a huge room....divided with a doorway in the middle.. One side was washers & dryers and college girls who watched and folded laundry for tips...

The other side was a beer bar with pool tables & sit down video game tables..


The guys LOVED it :)

[ozymandius]

5. Could you do all-natural baby products?

Something for the granola mom&dad - I am thinking of all natural baby products with interactive battery-free toys like wooden puzzles. Consider any of the huge variety of cloth diapers, nursing bras that *actually* fit and look good in a variety of prints (per my wife's wishes). Look at baby slings/child carriers, etc.

In my neighborhood, it looks like we're next door to a baby factory.

[buddhamama]

9. i have an idea

how do you feel about gardening,PsychoBlues?

how much land?

[Psychoblues99]

18. I love gardening, buddhamama, but

my place is concrete, asphalt, steel and very little earth/dirt. It's also very small but it sustained a small TV/Radio shop for many years. What to do?

Psychoblues

Dems Gotta Keep On Truckin'.,.,.,.,..,,...,,.,.,,,.,..,.,.,.,.,..,.,,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,,.,.,,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,..,.,.,..,...,..,,..,..,,.,.,..,.,.,.,...,.,.

[buddhamama]

23. hmm...

now i'm stumped.

what about a coffee book (i really like librechik's idea about a used book exchange) magazine old record shop?

what are you hankering for,psychoblues?

[Psychoblues99]

24. I'm a jammer by nature, buddhamama

My greatest successes in the guitar store were not from selling guitars and such but from demonstrating the instruments. It's all easy as anything to me. I just want to contribute, as profitably as I can, to the jamm scene. Recording, you've heard my jamm and don't know it, didn't pan out. Stage play, I've played for thousands, hasn't proven exactly liveable, equipment rental is not viable for me, running sound/light is profittable but not satisfactory for me. But teaching is so tedious, time-consuming and normally unappreciated. My dilemma is uncommon, or is it?

Psychoblues

Dems Gotta Keep On Truckin'.,.,.,.,.,,.,.,.,.,.,,.,.,.,.,..,.,.,.,,.,.,..,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,,.,.,.,.,.,..,.,..,,..,..,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,

[buddhamama]

25. i don't have any experience with this

but, would it be possible to set up a small recording studio where you are?

i'll give this more thought,psychoblues.
don't lose heart. :loveya: ((((hugs))))

[Psychoblues99]

27. After all these years and tears, buddhamama

you can bet your sweet bippy that I won't lose heart. I've done the recording thing. Loser on it's surface in this town. I need a product with service that I am comfortable with that appeals to lefties.

Psychoblues

Dems Gotta Keep On
Truckin'.,.,.,,....,.,.,.,.,...,,..,.,....,,.,..,,..,..,.,..,..,.,,..,..,,.,.,..,.,.,,..,.,,.,.,.,.,.,..,,.,.,.,.,.,.,,...,..,..,.,,.,

[DemocratSinceBirth]

A Head Shop?

[DemocratSinceBirth]

11. A Head Shop?

[librechik]

12. cybercafe with copy/printer center

would be my choice, in an urban central location.Perhaps a used book exchange and magazine stand too! Open 24 hrs, of course, and live acoustic music on weekends.

There's a business on my block which is like totally bitchin, but not especially for liberals. It's a laundromat with an ice cream store in it! I love my lil neighborhood...

[Psychoblues99]

17. Just to clarify, my genuine DU family!!!!!!!! I've got roughly

700 sq. ft. of indoor comfort controlled space. I've got approximately 9 parking spaces. My space is surrounded by ongoing commercial business that seem to think my parking lot is also their own. Although the owners have been corrected, in court, I still have my problems with them. I just want to live, let live and create a living that me and my family will be very proud of.

Maybe I'm more passive than will allow my aspirations?

I love you all.

Psychoblues

Dems Gotta Keep On Truckin'.,.,,.,,.,,,.,,.,,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,,.,.,..,.,.,.,.,.,,.,..,,.,.,.,.,,.,,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,..,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,..,

[RainDog]

21. with that amount of sq footage...

you could do magazines. books would be more problematic..depending on what you wanted to do...if you did used mass markets and quality paperbacks, you could probably do that.

doing a coffee spot where I am is also not feasible because of the amt of sq footage...more than double yours, btw. also, there are two independents, plus a starbucks within easy walking distance, and the independents have a strong, loyal customer base (including me).

..but there are other ways to attract customers.

what other bizzes are around you?

[Psychoblues99]

22. A restaurant, a car title credit scam, a rent by the week flophouse,

a very failing dress shop, a beauty (or should I say "less ugly") shop, a welding/fabrication shop (that I enormously enjoy) that is not serious, a chicken shack (KFC-like), actually very commercial. I've failed to recognise a viable avenue for myself in this environment. I really want to do jamm stuff. Guitars, sound, percussion and all that but my floor space just can't handle it.

Psychoblues

Dems Gotta Keep On Truckin'..,...,.,,.,.,,.,,.,.,.,.,.,.,..,.,.,,.,.,.,.,,.,.,.,..,.,,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,....,.,..,.,.,..,...,...,.,.,.,.,.,.,..,,.,.,.

[Fovea]

29. Is your town a college town?

And or bike friendly?
Along with your coffee bar, try finding a local baker or pastry chef to supply you with good carbs.

Along with it, consider starting a bike depot, with covered bike storage lockers in the parking lot, perhaps a shower stall, and a massage therapist.

[sandnsea]

28. Some businesses that hum along...

in my little town. No clear idea why, because we're small with mainly retired people and a surge of tourists in the summer.

Coin & Stamp shop

Sports cards, comics, and related items

Stamping, scrapbooking, etc.

Trophy shop

Watches and clock shop and repair

Business signs shop

And a shoe repair shop just opened, which is a little unnerving. Does somebody think people aren't going to be able to buy new shoes soon?

It's tough, I hope something just comes together for you because that's usually when things work out best for us! Good luck!

[BullDozer]

32. No worries

And a shoe repair shop just opened, which is a little unnerving. Does somebody think people aren't going to be able to buy new shoes soon?

Don't worry about a show repair shop being an indicator of economic ruin.
I live right by a repair shop, one that I've used to resole my sets of favorite boots many times when they start to wear out. It's easier, cheaper, and better to resole a pair of well broken in boots for about $50 than it is to buy a new pair for $200. I have many pairs of boots and at least once a month one or more are in need of a repair.

[Skip Intro]

30. "Hey, let's go to PsychoBlues tonight"

What about a net cafe/bookstore/new-age shop/bar/grill/etc.?

You'd have to do somehting to make it "social" (alcohol would be an asset, imho, but then again, I'm biased).

But you'd have to make it not just any net cafe. You'd have to create a mood. Lighting, music - what aobut a live band?! (low-key blues/jazz?) or live comedy/poetry readings, food and drink, etc. Some kind of compettition would be cool - even computer game tournaments or something. its all in the marketing...


Call it PsychoBlues!

btw, owning my own business is a driving motivation for me. Give the people something they don't have, some novelty, and reap the rewards.

Maybe some duers would invest?

[paulk]

31. That's a tough one, psychoblues

My wife and I have been trying to do that for the last five years, and it's damn hard. We got the cool lefty, artsy clientele, but making a viable business is hard no matter what. I had anti-war posters and cartoons hanging in my window and only got harrassed for it once.

We direct import from Thailand, Nepal and Bali. Also a lot of stuff from India. Lots of buddhist, hindu , yoga things. Jewelry, incense, cool clothes... we had a really loyal following. They did a write up in a local paper about how it was a good place to hang out and talk politics. It wasn't enough. We closed our storefront at the end of june. Working 60-70 hours a week so that my landlord could drive a mercedes got old.

I've spent the last six weeks working on an internet presence - I miss my customers. A lot. We hope to re-open if rents in this burg come into some kind of reality vis a vis the local economy.

Owning the building is a real advantage - but I'm not sure anymore if a mom and pop store can survive in America. You may need another source of income. Whatever you do, it has to be a labor of love - I'm sure you know that.

Best of luck!

[philosophie_en_rose]

33. Printing Shop

Have you considered turning the place into a meeting place/ coffee shop where local groups could rent the space for meetings, look at the lovely art on the walls, and purchase products? You could print t-shirts or posters for artists or develop film, and display everything on the walls.

Or maybe a community studio place? I know that it's very hard for struggling artists to find the space and storage for quality or large items. It could be like having a gym membership, where people buy spots to work and lockers to store things.

[ursacorwin]

34. in this economy i think its brave to even contemplate

opening a new business. owning the building is your safety net, though. as to addressing a liberal/progressive audience, my question would be: are there enough to support you in the area? parking is good to have, it allows you to attract out of area types is you can get an ad system in place throughout the greater community. but what do "liberals" buy more than others and what it the profit margin?

i worked in and managed resturants for years, and one thing non-food service folks always forget is just how physically hard the biz can be. managers work 70+ hour weeks rountinely, and manager/owners tend to work even harder. i'll not even go into how much money you lose before you can start to make a profit, or the difficulty in having a solid food idea that will last in good & bad times, and not fail for 'trendiness' as time passes...food service is hell, unless you love, love, love food- don't go into it.

may i recommend a survey of your commercial area to figure out what already exists? that you talk to your potential compeitors and fellow business owners about trends, what works, what problems they've had, etc. can you find reliable workers who won't rob you blind in this new venture? it would suck if you invested 100,000K in inventory and refurbishing only to discover there was no market. politics aside, you shouldn't go into business unless there is a demand, unless you're a daring and rich person who can weather financial hard times for several years.