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Author Topic: What would be a successful business?  (Read 20151 times)

Offline abcdefghijk

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Re: What would be a successful business?
« Reply #45 on: March 06, 2017, 08:03:32 AM »
Quote from: Palermo on March 05, 2017, 10:12:39 PM
Quote from: abcdefghijk on March 05, 2017, 11:23:50 AM
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!

Yes, of course.  Many of those kooky 1930's movies have automat vending machines.  But the difference now is that no people are needed to create food prepared by the machines.  The human factor has been eliminated.  The machines themselves make the (simple) meals that can be bought 24/7.  A very inexpensive method.  Which could translate into a money-making business...Kinda like in an old cartoon called THE JETSONS.
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Offline rhydewithdis

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Re: What would be a successful business?
« Reply #46 on: March 06, 2017, 08:04:37 AM »
+1 for Suryaside Yoga studio in Sunnyside. They are a good representation of what can be done on single-purpose small-concept scale. That being said, I think single-concept is too risky.
A bagels and beer idea is one I have been thinking through.
(GOOD) Bagels and coffee in the AM till about 11a, siesta in the afternoon. Open back up at 3p to do (GOOD) craft beer and small bites. Brunch on the weekends.
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Offline M7X7

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Re: What would be a successful business?
« Reply #47 on: March 06, 2017, 08:28:08 AM »
Quote from: rhydewithdis on March 06, 2017, 08:04:37 AM
A bagels and beer idea is one I have been thinking through.
(GOOD) Bagels and coffee in the AM till about 11a, siesta in the afternoon. Open back up at 3p to do (GOOD) craft beer and small bites. Brunch on the weekends.

I think everyone who has moved here from Astoria etc. has had similar daydreams.
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Offline abcdefghijk

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Re: What would be a successful business?
« Reply #48 on: March 06, 2017, 09:09:39 AM »
The question is what would be a successful ie. money-making business... from a small-ish space with a $5k monthly rent...in this diverse neighborhood...where much of the foot traffic is not USA-born.

And therein lies the interesting challenge.  I say vending machines are simply an inexpensive way of supplying folks with what they need.

Other things might work...but may be riskier with that high rent and limited space.





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Offline lindsey

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Re: What would be a successful business?
« Reply #49 on: March 06, 2017, 09:51:16 AM »
As many have pointed out, anything you can buy in a store you can now get online, usually cheaper and more conveniently.
So a successful new business would have to offer something you can't get online--a class, small-scale events, etc. I'm certainly no small business expert (having worked for nonprofits most of my adult life), but it seems to me this model is possible even with the exorbitant rents. The Piano Verse on Northern Boulevard, for instance, offers 30-minute piano lessons for $25-$20. That's an accessible price point for many residents. Important to note that they cater to both kids and adults, broadening their customer base.
So... maybe another music studio? Maybe a small book store that offers specialized talks or classes (one poster mentioned a cookbook store in Greenpoint--they must have a great events calendar), or a pottery studio?


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Offline abcdefghijk

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Re: What would be a successful business?
« Reply #50 on: March 06, 2017, 10:59:45 AM »
Since retail everywhere is pretty much going out the window...thanks to technology...

One positive side effect may be that commercial retail rents will eventually go down.

It may take five to ten years before that happens since landlords must accept the truth of the situation first.

But in five to ten years...perhaps interesting stores might be able to open...and not immediately be choked by rent requirements.
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Offline jeanette

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Re: What would be a successful business?
« Reply #51 on: March 06, 2017, 11:08:04 AM »
Quote from: lindsey on March 06, 2017, 09:51:16 AM
maybe another music studio?

There already is one, Performing Arts Conservatory of New York (PACONY, 35-57 89th St, Queens, NY 11372, 718-639-1425) just four short blocks away from Jhx's "ideal" location. PACONY (inc. property) is owned by an hispano hablante woman. Quality instruction, mostly piano but also percussion (trap and conga), strings (guitar, violin), brass, woodwinds, voice (from opera to pop), and more! My daughter conducted art classes there, and French. I was a dance instructor.

Yeah, that was a plug.
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Offline Jhx

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Re: What would be a successful business?
« Reply #52 on: March 06, 2017, 01:18:48 PM »
 Thanks for the thoughts, some were interesting, some not so much
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Offline Lilybell

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Re: What would be a successful business?
« Reply #53 on: March 06, 2017, 02:13:44 PM »
Quote
Thanks for the thoughts, some were interesting, some not so much

Huh. You ask people to do your research for you and then crap all over their ideas.  Here's an idea - figure it out yourself.
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Offline queenskid2

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Re: What would be a successful business?
« Reply #54 on: March 06, 2017, 02:34:44 PM »
How about a 99 cent store/pharmacy that serves brunch.
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Offline Jhx

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Re: What would be a successful business?
« Reply #55 on: March 06, 2017, 03:09:55 PM »
Lol, sorry you feel that way Lilybell. Didn't mean to crap out on anyone's idea. Just that most of them were ill suited to the spaces available on 37ave. Maybe that's why we have so many pharmacies and .99 stores.  The problem with doing a restaurant,  which is what  I would really want to do is that if it's not an existing space, it takes a long time and a lot of money to start from scratch. If there was an existing restaurant up for sale, that would be ideal.
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Offline sl

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Re: What would be a successful business?
« Reply #56 on: March 06, 2017, 03:53:15 PM »
Comicbook store.
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Offline jackinjh

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Re: What would be a successful business?
« Reply #57 on: March 06, 2017, 04:21:00 PM »
Usually the space will tell you if is restaurant ready. If not you will dropping a lot $$$ to get the space ready for the exhaust and fire proof wall. And update the building code standard.

Yeah 99 cent store probably don't need anything just paint wall and dump in some shelves. Explain why we have so much of it or those phone store or perfume shop, all quick get away if business not doing well.
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Offline madalyn

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Re: What would be a successful business?
« Reply #58 on: March 06, 2017, 04:47:48 PM »
Quote from: Dodger on March 04, 2017, 08:11:05 PM
How about a store selling practical but also quirky kitchen and home goods. Not predominantly gifts but things you need for your own kitchen. Something like Whisk or Fishs Eddy in Flatiron.

I like the housewares idea too. 

I think what people mostly want is an informal café, with food that is fresh, creatively made and reasonably priced.  I know you don't want to get involved with that but I think that's what would succeed most.
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Offline itsit

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Re: What would be a successful business?
« Reply #59 on: March 06, 2017, 04:53:38 PM »
 We are sorely missing a full service hardware store. I believe it would do well if you had appliances that were more
than online offerings- maybe some special cookware that we would not exactly know to look up- and a concierge
service for online orders, mail, etc. for those not usually home for deliveries. Our JH post office has many issues
so shipping could help. I believe that money could really be made with home service providing in the same way that
Geek Squad helps with home computer needs. Maybe even add a variation of that.
 But seriously, I feel that many people need help with issues in their home or apt that are not compatible with their
skills or their supers abilities. Would love -and buy- special cookware from various places especially if it could be
demonstrated. There could be a yearly upgrade service on household things that you could offer. Replacing alarms,
washers, air conditioner filters, toilet seats and god knows what else. Maybe design services like window treatments,
paint services and flooring choices that are not Home Depot and other recommendations. Many people think their
jobs are too small or are confused about getting estimates to go ahead with interior projects.

 This site gets many requests for help for these types of interests and a reliable, trustworthy neighborhood place
would meet so many needs in the hardware/lifestyle world. But this one would be where you can also buy the
functional pieces and have installation and instruction if needed.

I could continue as I keep thinking of what to add but you get the picture. Modern day hardware/lifestyle store.
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