Specialty Shops.

[SanFranciscan]

I am not much of a shopper. I am one of those grab-and-go types that just likes to get what I came for and get out. However, there are some shopkeepers who manage to get my attention long enough that I do linger and buy more than I intended.

With them in mind I have been reading a book about specialty shops and their owners. It is surprisingly entertaining considering that I am not a heavy shopper and that retail is not the type of work that I really enjoy doing. The shops described in "The Specialty Shop" are enchanting enough that I do think that I would stop in and part with some bucks for that kind of ambience.

If you were going to create your own specialty shop, what would it be like?

[jlewisinsyr]

Regardless of what the shop sells, SERVICE should be 100% top notch.

[DVC~OKW~96]

If I were going to have a shop? Hmmmm...

Well, I love books. I love gourmet food "treats." I love antique jewelry. I love gay themed merchandise...

I love artistic handmade clothing. I LOVE nice soap.

Hmmmm... what kind of shop would that be! :rotfl:

[rosiep]

A tea shop I think...with nostalgic doo-dads around the place.
I love to visit resale shops (not antiques...) just to look at the toys. A game of Mystery Date, or the Imagination Dollhouse, Colorforms and Fisher Price Little People....

BTW...what a fun question! Thanks for asking.

[OrlandoMike]

It would have to be something to do with food and beverage for me..

Maybe a shop here in Orlando specializing in foods that are regional, that you can't really get down here.

[reid_man]

an old timey(sp?) soda fountain! XD OR OR OR an occult store with neat doo-dads of paranormal related things.. can i have both:headache:

[SanFranciscan]

A tea shop I think...with nostalgic doo-dads around the place.
I love to visit resale shops (not antiques...) just to look at the toys. A game of Mystery Date, or the Imagination Dollhouse, Colorforms and Fisher Price Little People....

BTW...what a fun question! Thanks for asking.

That is probably a highly profitable choice. Apparently tea shops are generally heavy on the charm factor. There are two mentioned in "The Specialty Shop," one in London, England, and one in North Hollywood, California.

I am unlikely to make it to London in the near future; but I might check out La Conversation, reportedly on the cusp of North Hollywood and Beverly Hills, if I head back down south for Disneyland. Apparently the same two men have owned it as partners for so long that it was successful long before the critics noticed it existed.

[rosiep]

That is probably a highly profitable choice. Apparently tea shops are generally heavy on the charm factor. There are two mentioned in "The Specialty Shop," one in London, England, and one in North Hollywood, California.

I am unlikely to make it to London in the near future; but I might check out La Conversation, reportedly on the cusp of North Hollywood and Beverly Hills, if I head back down south for Disneyland. Apparently the same two men have owned it as partners for so long that it was successful long before the critics noticed it existed.

I adore tea shops..nothing better than a scone, clotted cream and jam. As for the doo-dads-sometimes I peruse Ebay just to see the stuff (although I admit I have a small collection of Fisher Price people :rolleyes1 )

[tiggr33]

I would have two.
First, since I already own a stained glass fabrication business, I would have a LGBT interest shop with a large stained glass department.
Secondly, I would have a gourmet shop that only carried spices, blends, and herbs, along with every imaginable condiment, coffees, and teas.

[jlewisinsyr]

Secondly, I would have a gourmet shop that only carried spices, blends, and herbs, along with every imaginable condiment, coffees, and teas.

Now you have me wanting to take a trip to Dean and Deluca...errr...

[tiggr33]

Now you have me wanting to take a trip to Dean and Deluca...errr...

Actually if you want to try something that'll knock your socks off, look at kueka lake coffee roasters. I swear by there coffee rubs.