Want to be my focus group? *

[ClarabelleCowFan]

Thank you for that info. We've owned a very successful business in the past so we have plenty of experience.




They are a great resource. When we had our previous business they were very helpful. I plan on meeting with them again as well as the SBA.

Good to know! So many people jump into business without having a clue as to what they are doing or what it entails.

My SCORE counselor once told me to always remember this simple financial formula - Being in business for yourself = last to get paid.

Let us know when you are up and running. I have a close friend in Clearwater that I can send your way!

 

[phorsenuf]

I also vote for a strip mall. Not having to spend all day at the mall or hiking from my parking space in another county impact my preferences.

My real hangup though about the strip mall is there isn't as much foot traffic coming upon it like a mall. I've been so torn. Of course once I hear back from the mall leasing office that may quickly change. I did see there are spaces available in the strip mall area I was thinking about. Going to give them a call tomorrow.

I think this is a really great idea. I was just telling my husband last week that I wish we could mix/match K-cups. I really want to try new flavors, but hate being stuck with 11 K-cups if I end up not liking the flavor.

I came across a store that was doing this at a mall up north and that's what got me thinking about it.

Two things, though, that I thought about (and maybe you have already considered them, but just thought I would throw them out there). Have you checked about licensing and/or other issues of this sort with K-cups?

I have a call in to Keurig to get the information to be an authorized distributor. Hoping I'll hear back from them tomorrow.

Also, have you considered just doing this on-line? Retail space where we are is so pricey-it could really eat into your bottom line. Setting up a web page is super easy and cheap. Also, you could use your home as your "office" and then any space you use would be considered a tax write off (or at least I think this is how it works). You would have almost no start up costs besides your web design fee/start up and inventory. The other good thing is if you end up not making enough money, it would be pretty easy to "close shop"-turn off the web page. However, it is difficult to get out of a lease (and can be costly).

I'll probably end up starting the online part of it before the storefront because like you said, that's a bit easier to start.

I don't know, it's not like an expert or anything. Just throwing ideas out there.

Great ideas.

Wish you the best of luck on your endeavor-it really is a great idea.

Thank you very much. Very excited about it!

 

[Disney Doll]

I voted other because it sounds like what you're palnning is a hip sort of specialty shop, so you need to be in an area where people have some dsiposable income and where there are other specialty shops...

There's a town about 20 minutes south of me that is a pretty "moneyed" town with an ADORABLE town center that has cute shops and restaurants and coffee shops....it draws a lot of foot traffic and window shoppers who turn into buyers.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I have a call in to Keurig to get the information to be an authorized distributor. Hoping I'll hear back from them tomorrow.

Do you want me to go down there and strong-arm them (read: play the sympathy card) for you? I could detour on my way to work one day...

I voted for the strip plaza. I hate malls. With a passion. I will go to Target and Staples at the mall near me, because they have outside access. Ditto for Cheesecake Factory at the other mall. I won't go into a mall. I'll go out of my way not to enter a mall, indoor or outdoor. Okay, I needed Ipod help once, but that's it.

But I would shop at a store like this in a strip plaza.

 

[ford family]

What about somewhere like The Pier at St Petersburg or Ybor City, places with tourist traffic?
The Gourmet Kitchen over at the Ellenton outlet mall lets you sample dozens of different dips. We ALWAYS go in for the dips (wasabi ginger for me) and ALWAYS buy some kitchen gadget or two. You should check it out because your product offering sounds a lot like theirs.
Good luck!

ford family

 

[phorsenuf]

What about somewhere like The Pier at St Petersburg or Ybor City, places with tourist traffic?
The Gourmet Kitchen over at the Ellenton outlet mall lets you sample dozens of different dips. We ALWAYS go in for the dips (wasabi ginger for me) and ALWAYS buy some kitchen gadget or two. You should check it out because your product offering sounds a lot like theirs.
Good luck!

ford family

Those 2 areas would be a bit of a haul to go to everyday. I'm in Clearwater up by Countryside, which is the mall I was looking at.
Haven't been down to Ellenton yet. Want to check it out though.

 

[FINFAN]

Location, location, location. I would go with the area with the most traffic for the target market you are going for in the rent district you can afford.

Good luck!

this,,,and honestly, if there is a Target or store in the strip mall that generates a ton of daily trafic, even better for you. Obviously rent tends to be higher due to that , but it may be the difference in having a successful first year or 2. You are in a warm climate, so weather isn't going to affect people heading out to their Target or Publix which is a good thing. Also consider the traffic flow, is it a strip mall that has easy access? I tend to avoidones that are irritating, like most of our CVS stores no idea why but they are places on corners where you cannot simply get out..have to head all over the place to avoid getting killed. I guess I will vote strip mall, and then if you have the opportunity, hit some of thise art fests that are always going on in FL...with a booth...

 

[FormrCastMbr]

I agree it sounds like a downtown, "Main Street USA" type store but since there is only places like this distant from you, I voted for strip store. It is more, independent feeling than a mall.

Good luck!

 

[IdesOmarch]

The only thing i know about businesses like this is that they fail a lot. Not to discourage you, but point is I would think built in traffic is a must have. If you have a lonely little shop somewhere off by itself, it would be very hard to get people to make a special trip. That type of shop I would think would get 90% of its business from people who are already there for other things, see your shop in the mall or whatever and go oh that looks cool, lets go in here. So point is I think a mall or heavy traffic strip mall would be a must do, even though rent is horrible I know, but I honestly don't see a way around that unless you have tons of money to do advertising and tons of operating capital already on hand. Which you probably need operating capital no matter what you do but just saying.

Another idea is to rent a space at an already established store, Wal-Mart is doing that more and more with their eye glass shops, barber/beauty shops etc.

 

[sbsteel]

Did you think about the downtown shopping area of Westchase? It would fit right in that district.

Countryside would get you a lot of foot traffic, but it's also a teenybopper mall. Citrus might be better since they have Williams Sonoma, Pottery Barn, etc. and might appeal more to your target consumer.

What area strip malls are you looking at (general vicinity)?

Good luck!

 

[phorsenuf]

Did you think about the downtown shopping area of Westchase? It would fit right in that district.

Countryside would get you a lot of foot traffic, but it's also a teenybopper mall. Citrus might be better since they have Williams Sonoma, Pottery Barn, etc. and might appeal more to your target consumer.

What area strip malls are you looking at (general vicinity)?

Good luck!

One area is the strip area by 19 and Countryside. There is the one area that has the TJMaxx and Home Goods, the other one has Kohls. The flank either side of the mall.

Citrus Park is nice but again, more then I want to travel. Countryside is about a mile from me.

 

[sbsteel]

One area is the strip area by 19 and Countryside. There is the one area that has the TJMaxx and Home Goods, the other one has Kohls. The flank either side of the mall.

Citrus Park is nice but again, more then I want to travel. Countryside is about a mile from me.

I know exactly the ones you're talking about. My personal preference is the TJMaxx/Home Goods one. Besides those two stores, there's also a Tuesday Morning, Kirklands, another decor place (Odds and Ends or something like that), and some other restaurants and Starbucks that would get more people in your store. I swear I'm at that strip mall every other week, lol.

I only go to the Kohl's mall if I'm going into Kohl's (which isn't that often), but have never stepped food in any of the other stores there.

They're both excellent locations as far as access is concerned IMO.

 

[Handbag Lady]

I picked indoor mall.

I buy loose tea and I don't drink much coffee. There is such a tea store in my indoor mall and I go there when I'm also going to Macy's and the Apple store.

But, when I lived in Marina del Rey, I LOVED shopping in our outdoor mall. They had quirky stores and a Pier 1 and the hairdressers and a perfume shop and an mom and pop coffee shop. AND PLENTY OF PARKING!

I'd take parking into consideration. I simply do not go to stores that have difficult or pay parking.

Also, being near a movie theatre might help you, too. People mull about waiting for their theatre to open.

 

[phorsenuf]

I just keep going back and forth. I think the mall would be ideal because of all the foot traffic and much more people would 'stumble' upon it. But, I am restricted to mall hours. Always need to be open when they are.
With a strip plaza setting the parking would be better and it's easier for people to zip in and out when they need something. It might not be as restricted hours wise. But getting people there might be more difficult.
A freestanding store I could totally operate however I want but again, it's getting the people in.

Decisions decisions.....

 

[Liberty Belle]

I also vote for a strip mall. Not having to spend all day at the mall or hiking from my parking space in another county impact my preferences.

Same here.

OP, have you considered letting local crafts people sell some stuff in your shop? Maybe some paintings (could help decorate your walls, too) or interesting kitchen textiles, etc? I think that might bring more people in.

 

[Liberty Belle]

I just keep going back and forth. I think the mall would be ideal because of all the foot traffic and much more people would 'stumble' upon it. But, I am restricted to mall hours. Always need to be open when they are.
With a strip plaza setting the parking would be better and it's easier for people to zip in and out when they need something. It might not be as restricted hours wise. But getting people there might be more difficult.
A freestanding store I could totally operate however I want but again, it's getting the people in.

Decisions decisions.....

Are you in a college town?

 

[AshleyW]

One area is the strip area by 19 and Countryside. There is the one area that has the TJMaxx and Home Goods, the other one has Kohls. The flank either side of the mall.

Citrus Park is nice but again, more then I want to travel. Countryside is about a mile from me.

I vote for the strip with Home Goods! There's always been a bunch of people over there when I've gone, plus I think your store would fit in well with the other home-type stores over there.

 

[phorsenuf]

Well, the mall is out. Just heard from the leasing office and a tea store (Teavana) is going in. I told him I could drop the tea part id necessary. Going to have to visit one of the stores and see how close in idea they may be.

There is another strip plaza called Clearwater Mall that some here may know. There is a spot open next to a Five guys. That could bring in some people probably. There is a Target, Lowes, Michaels and Borders in that plaza. Actually there is a ton of great stores there.

 

[kwelch10377]

Well, the mall is out. Just heard from the leasing office and a tea store (Teavana) is going in. I told him I could drop the tea part id necessary. Going to have to visit one of the stores and see how close in idea they may be.

There is another strip plaza called Clearwater Mall that some here may know. There is a spot open next to a Five guys. That could bring in some people probably. There is a Target, Lowes, Michaels and Borders in that plaza. Actually there is a ton of great stores there.

http://www.teavana.com/

Here is a link to their store. I have been to the one near me and it is a pretty neat store, and while you would have some of the same items, I think there would be enough different stuff. I will say it is always packed when I walk by. (it is in an inside mall)

 

[Toad_Passenger]

http://www.teavana.com/

Here is a link to their store. I have been to the one near me and it is a pretty neat store, and while you would have some of the same items, I think there would be enough different stuff. I will say it is always packed when I walk by. (it is in an inside mall)

Teavana is awesome. However, I don't think the clientele would overlap, that much. They are pretty much straightforward exotic teas. I have spent way too much money there.