Jackson Heights Life

This question comes up every 2-3 months and always gets the same response. For those of us without kids (and disposable income that we spend outside of the neighborhood), the things we really want are food (and drink) related. And they're received with a mix of eye rolling and scorn. Alas.

- Cheese, meats, and prepared foods store similar to Bklyn Larder or R&D Foods
- Cocktail bar
- Boozy brunch spot
- Good coffee shop in the mid 80s (bonus points for a good bagel)

While an upscale gym or a movie theatre or a Fairway would amazing, they're obviously not viable options for a single store front on 37th. But there are some chain stores that wouldn't be so bad to have:

- Sephora
- Muji
- Dog daycare (probably requires extra space)
- Ice cream shop (this winter you'd have business all year round)

Good ideas, some of them anyway. Toy stores seem to be a popular idea. But with teachers salary, I wouldn't count on them. Kind of like people think that opening a pizzeria across from the school is money in the bank. That doesn't prove well for Sacs  or Marios

Hmmmmm.  Good idea but I don't think the flea market people would be able to afford to pay $500 a month to rent the table. Or whatever it would be. And I don't think there is that much merchandise to sustain something like this. But something to think about

I don't think what you are searching for exists. Everything is now online and can be obtained for less time and money by ordering online. I am starting to get EVERYTHING that way because it saves so much time. There still ARE small bookstores--new ones have opened in Manhattan recently, but I notice that they combine books and gifts in order to survive, and often seem to have more of the latter. Browsing a bookstore is a different experience from ordering books online, and there are still people who want to buy books in a bookstore--especially parents who want to take their kids to look at and purchase books. But those rents!

What I long for is a good Pilates studio with well-trained instructors and equipment-based classes. I am certain there would be demand for this--but just as certain that it's not a big-money business, and it probably would not work on 37th Avenue. I go to a great studio in Forest Hills that is located on a side street. It seems to be doing well. They offer a variety of classes besides classic Pilates, including massage and bodywork workshops, belly dancing, etc. They rent space to a massage therapist, too, another way to make a business like this more viable. The classes at this Forest Hills studio are MUCH less expensive than those at similar studios in Manhattan, which also helps make it a big draw for people who work in Manhattan and could also attend Pilates classes there. The most popular classes are always fully booked with a waitlist. Could something like this work on a side street here? Maybe combining Pilates with yoga?

Someone mentioned co-working. I now work at a co-working space in Manhattan, WeWork. They are taking over the city, opening new locations everywhere. It's a great concept--it becomes a community as well as a workspace. You get connected with everyone else who works there via an app, and they hold classes and workshops and free meals often open to everyone who is part of the WeWork community. And there are other similar co-working spaces popping up everywhere. Maybe that could work in JH--but not in one of the small storefronts, maybe in Bruson.

I agree with the idea that what people really want here IS food/drink related, offering things we don't currently have on 37th. As for what else might work in one of those storefronts? Beats me. There are lots of empty storefronts all over NYC, not just here, of course, and empty malls all over America. Combine that with these stratospheric rents and the fact that landlords can get tax benefits (I think) from keeping their storefronts empty...and the future for small stores just does not look good.

My next idea is this... in this article.

A vending machine store.

http://www.hongkiat.com/blog/bizarre-vending-machines/

Yes, I am an ideas person. And love to envisage things.

These vending machine stores are often open 24/7.  And you don't really have to be there all the time.

You can survey the store remotely.

Also you could approach big retailers (UNIGLO, TraderJoes etc) to see if they are interested in setting up a mini outlet via vending machine, in your store.

Anyway you'd work out the balance of what moves and what doesn't pretty quick.


 

Perhaps you start with some goods on consignment?  That'd minimize losses until you perfect what customers want.

The ideal location is up for grabs on 85th and 37th

Good luck with that ideal location.

I imagine in the future many stores will be giant versions of rows of vending machines.

Looks to me like technology will eventually make many jobs...and stores... redundant.

However, on the other hand, new jobs will arise. Like Vending Machine Repair-person!

A vending machine store.
http://www.hongkiat.com/blog/bizarre-vending-machines/
Yes, I am an ideas person. And love to envisage things.

The first Automat opened in 1912, so your envisaging skillz rates you a close second!

Everything else will require a concept and dedication that extends beyond this site.

That about sums it up.  Either you are looking to make a buck or it's something more than that.  If the former, 37th Avenue has several successful models to follow or do what Jeanette says.  If the latter, you need a vision and a passion, both likely scarce if one is here, culling ideas.  The middle ground is to invest in someone.  Good luck regardless.