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Anonymous-0

Well-known Member
I have a pipedream of renting a low dollar storefront in the old section of our 105,000 population town. The perfect place would attract tractor/motorcycle/muscle car/live music enthusiasts. All with a ministry purpose. Are any of you involved with such a venture? I'd love to hear your take/advice.

Glenn F.
 
No I haven't . But I was in a ma&pa dinner around Grand Blanc Mich. when picking up tractor parts from Steiner, and there was a sign posted saying " the antique tractor club meets here on Sat. " I think is a great idea getting the guys together especially in the winter months. -- good luck and have fun !!
 
We have a place here in Renton that is a cafe/ beer and wine bar with a stage for live music as well as a Lutheran Ministry. Called Luther's Table.
they seem to be doing well. Nice place and a lot of fun.
I bet Pastor Gretchen would be glad to email with you.
Luthers Table
 
Well the figures are about 90% fail in the first year. It needs to be something you have the fire in your belly to do or it will not go. The profit margin is not great on many things a diner or coffee shop sell. An example is coffee: black with no creamer or sugar good profit. Add in the creamer and sugar and the profit is cut in half. Also old guys setting around drinking a coffee for hours each morning are a losing thing. The refills eat up any profit.

SIL ran a diner for years. She said that now days your lucky to break even. The younger crowd will not go to a non chain place. The old people don't spend much money when eating out.
 
I am reading your responses with interest. I should have pointed out, the above described venture would not be my source of livelihood, but rather an evening, weekend, and someday, retirement thing. I know it would be a huge time committment at best. In perfect world thinking I can see it being such a bright spot in our community.

Glenn F.
 
If you are really interested, take a ride up to Withee Wi and check out the diner just north of 29 on 73. The woman that owns that new diner started as 1 of 2 waitresses in a diner a half mile north of that spot. The other was,last I knew running a diner 6miles east in Owen. Both places good food, large portions, and low prices. Both places are packed at mealtimes. Nice girls, both of them they could give you some pointers.
 
Sounds like an interesting place! But be ready for some full time commitment though.

Think you would need some type full time customer draw though. Like some exceptional good food, or find a niche concept that's in short supply to draw steady customers. The tractor/motorcycle/muscle car/live music would be a special attraction.

Keep in mind the legalities also. Not every community welcomes outdoor entertainment, especially with amplified music. There is a restaurant here that was doing live music on weekends, it got too expensive, and they got in serious trouble with copyright payments, never heard of such, but neither did they!

A couple of the observations I've made of failed restaurants/coffee shops is:

1. Bad service, usually when the owner is not there and the help doesn't care, kids left in charge, etc.

2. Irregular hours. Opening late, closing early, not opening at all, strange daily or hourly schedules people can't remember. If I make plans, drive across town and the place is closed... Not good!

I do like the ministry concept! Keep it clean, family oriented, give God a portion and He'll bless it!!!
 
You know they say location, location, location.

For you and this idea I would say parking, parking, parking.

Lack of parking is part of the reason that businesses don't want those old storefronts. And your target audience is going to come one per vehicle.

I would suggest looking at closed fast food locations instead.
 
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