I'm seriously considering closing the bookstore down...

and moving to a better location...

I've found that this location I am at is not turning out as good as I had hoped it would be. The building next door continues to remain empty. The 3 business on the next corner have not leased out. The foot traffic from the restaurant has moved in the other direction since they put in a new parking lot across the next street away from me. And the biggest issue is space. I am filled up and need more square footage.

So I was contacted by the owner of a building about a mile from here. It is twice the size of what I have now. It has a parking lot. It is on a busy street with good exposure and signage. It is in the next suburb within a higher income area, with a lot more residential neighborhoods. It is catty-corner from a busy grocery store. It is a block from a high school. It is near the huge Milwaukee medical complex. And best of all, it is next to a Stone Creek coffee shop and aa Breugger's bagel shop, with walk-thrus into each.

My hours could expand or change to catch the coffee shop crowd.

The downside is that the rent would be a lot more than I am paying now. But it may be time to take the plunge, if I could negotiate a few months of free rent up front...

Oh, decisions, decisions...

RL

:hide:
Retros bookstore and Pie Pantry

on a daily basis...

RL

Someday my friend..The sooner the better.

Even with the higher rent.

Selling is all about traffic and location - this you know. So, make yourself more traffic-apparent and your location will pay for itself.

Opportunity knocks for a reason, right?

Good luck!

I can attest to that. Depending on how MUCH higher the rent is and whether you'd be able to expand your hours, it could be worth it.

Good luck!!

Go for it!

It sounds much better than where you are now!

The rent will be higher...and so will your income!

Yes, sweetie........time to take the plunge!

:bounce: :bounce:

peace~

you'll be on to your second store and I've still not had a chance to patronize the first

:hi:

RL

which, alas, is in short supply for a bit. Trust me, once I start my new job and get things caught up I will once again start feeding my addiction to books!

As an Econ major :)

:hi:

:loveya:

Or is that too much?

But I would add a seating area and let them buy coffee next door if I moved...

RL

potential from the coffee and bagel shop. I live in Oakland, CA and two of the most successful independent book stores hare similarly situated. Ever since it opened me and my friend have usually ended up in the bookstore across the street from the coffee shop, which is now a crepe shop. or gone to the coffee,now crepe shop after haunting the book store. in any event I rarely left that book store with out at least one book.

Now we'll see if the rent is reasonable...

RL

look for opportunities and be aware of opportunity costs. Looks like you are being objective and honest with yourself. You have choices.

now you need the funds.

Is there room for a fabric/quilt/gift shop?? ;)

:hug:

It will work out. I know it.

:)

will you have to pay anything to get out of your lease?
or do you even have one?

wanna come help move books and set up a new store?

:hi:

RL

:blush:

RL

:blush: -- sort of.

The moves sounds like it would really pay off.

Sounds ideal in many ways. Do it.

Especially if you have more space. LPs are making a big comeback and you can usually find cheap, unsorted boxlots on Ebay or thru Craig's list.

Good luck with the move - If you're not getting traffic you're not going to make money.

Hey, keep me in mind if any Bernarr MacFaddan books cross your path

I can get the 1000+ LP's outta my living room...

:hi:

RL

addict...

;)

and this surprises you?

:shrug:

RL

actually, I'm jealous. I didn't get the LPs in my divorce. :(

:hug:

Records? What are those?

:rofl:

RL

:rofl:

:cry:

If I ever get married there will be a pre-nup excluding my entire music collection

It would have been nice to get some of the LPs, but having Lelapin with me was worth more than any LP

;)


:)

But seriously, if you have the extra space I think it's a great addition to your store. There is one nearby where I work that I must hit about once a week. It's my stressbuster.

I wish I could spend an afternoon in your store sometime...

:hi:

RL

shop? If so, that sounds really awesome -- should definitely increase business! There'd probably be a great symbiotic relationship between the three businesses.

I LOVE used bookstore - sure wish I lived close to you! Very best of luck to you, whatever you decide.

Currently, there is a front door. and a shared back door to a hallway with restrooms shared by all 3 stores, with a rear entrance into the new store.

and then there is a door from the bagel joint into the new store.

He would put another from the coffee shop into the new store.

RL

esp if he'll give you a couple months free to get going.

that location sounds like you might even be able to give up your day job :bounce:

:P

get me up there to help you move :rofl:


:hi:

sounds like a plan

to move that is

:yoiks:

:D

RL

Then they'll finish that one and keep coming back to you for more books... pretty soon you can take over their whole lives by controlling their book access. *That's* how you do it.

:D

RL

more of a profit for you, because of it's location? Then do it..although it may take some time to see the results

Are you at least breaking even where you are currently at? :shrug:

been in the black since day 1...

RL

you expected where you are now? Although, you mentioned in your post that there was a vacant building two doors down from you, and I know that can't possibly help business ( I know someone who owned a consignment shop and the business next door had a "for sale" sign up for what seemed like ten years. Her business suffered, because I suppose people who saw that sign somehow associated it with the success of the consignment shop? Who knows...maybe they thought there wasn't enough of a demand for this kind of business in that area

Hang a banner...GRAND REOPENING

I've seen expansion kill off businesses... as long as you don't overdo it and don't end up with too much downtime. See if the new place will let you go month to month, too

But broadening the inventory could be a good idea. Consider adding a newstand -- I think the magazine distributors will basically populate the shelves if you give them the space. I would love to have a resource for sort of interesting and unusual magazines. Just a thought.

Or indie movie rentals, the stuff Blockbuster doesn't carry?

I managed an indie bookstore for several years. Location is hugely important.

Best luck!!

Breugger's would be the deal maker for me. Wishing you good luck in whatever you decide.

:hi:

RL

Please! You'll be so grateful & thankful you did!:loveya: :yourock:

:loveya:

RL

you fine, foxy poppa! :loveya: Give me a sandwich board. I'll cruise the sidewalk. I'll wear VS underneath. Anything.

:loveya:

RL

Do it now. ;)

You know what's not working, so you might as well go for what might ... and probably will. Good luck and keep us posted! :thumbsup:

The Milwaukee in Wisonconsin? I had no idea, I may need to visit your bookstore on my next drive that way on my way to Ann Arbor.

come on by...

RL

sounds like you've mostly got your mind made up to me. :)

plus the additional 20,000 from my garage. :D

Wanna help?

:hi:

RL

:wow:


Sure, I'd be happy to help. You gonna fly me in? I'll work for food & board. :P

What ever makes you the most $$$ as you have to think of yourself in this World
what is good for you..........
Hopefully you can make it at that new location, :bounce: :bounce: :hi:

one step at a time...

RL

The move would definitely be worth it, if the rent is still in your ballpark.

rent is quite a bit higher, but then again, you gotta pay to play...

RL

Maybe offer a 25 cents off if a customer brings in a current receipt from the coffee shop.

You can do some cross-selling between all the stores (at the coffee counter a sign with "Why not enjoy your coffee with a bagel and a book? 25 cents off next door with your receipt, or go buy a book first and get 25 cents off a coffee!") and then put, next to the door, a shelf of books that would be good to read while drinking a coffee (shorter books, lighter, books on coffee and food, humor books).

cross-selling is pretty effective...

RL