Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - View Single Post - Business Questions--might wanna pack a lunch

majik_6 · 10-03-2003, 01:15 PM

Here's the deal:

I'm currently considering going one of two avenues with my post-collegiate life: Opening an upscale cigar and liquor store, or opening a custom/showcar paint and bodyshop. I can get kinda restless, so I'm sure I'll try both before it's my time to check out, but I'm interested in hearing opinions from those involved with either type of business: salary, hours, general things to consider, etc.

Here's the details:

If I open the cigar and liquor store, I want to keep it upscale (think Padrons, not Phillies...single malt, not Schlitz).

The cigar store would either incorporate, or be adjacent to a type of "gentleman's retreat"...basically a masculine spa: Get a haircut, shave, shoe shine or even a massage and manicure all while sipping a first-growth Bordeaux or puffing away at a Diamond Crown. Basically, make the place a comfortable location for relaxing with your purchases, and maybe even get a few treatments, with an emphasis on service, and bending over backwards to cater to the customers.

In addition to the retail of vices, I have an incredible interest in the culinary/service fields and would like to incorporate a bar/private lounge/small restaurant into the same complex, probably with the same "brand name" to be visited in hours at which the shop is not open.

I would like to be in the Columbus area.

If going the cars route:

Located in Columbus area, or a larger area of West Virginia (Charleston, Parkersburg--hey, it's got a pretty good car scene)

I would like to mostly do custom paintwork (I'm getting my bachelors of fine arts right now, just to have an extra edge should I take this route), high-end custom stereo installations, and other jobs (upholstery, custom rims, etc.) as opposed to oil changes and alignments (although those are important parts of the automotive industry).

Offer full design services (as far as the cars are related) to make sure the customer is getting exactly the look they desire.

-----------------------------------------

So, with the long-winded part done, what do you guys think would be most successful, and do you think that the businesses given could thrive in the selected locations?

Thanks in advance.

10-03-2003, 01:15 PM	#1 (permalink)
majik_6 narcissist Location: looking in a mirror	Business Questions--might wanna pack a lunch Here's the deal: I'm currently considering going one of two avenues with my post-collegiate life: Opening an upscale cigar and liquor store, or opening a custom/showcar paint and bodyshop. I can get kinda restless, so I'm sure I'll try both before it's my time to check out, but I'm interested in hearing opinions from those involved with either type of business: salary, hours, general things to consider, etc. Here's the details: If I open the cigar and liquor store, I want to keep it upscale (think Padrons, not Phillies...single malt, not Schlitz). The cigar store would either incorporate, or be adjacent to a type of "gentleman's retreat"...basically a masculine spa: Get a haircut, shave, shoe shine or even a massage and manicure all while sipping a first-growth Bordeaux or puffing away at a Diamond Crown. Basically, make the place a comfortable location for relaxing with your purchases, and maybe even get a few treatments, with an emphasis on service, and bending over backwards to cater to the customers. In addition to the retail of vices, I have an incredible interest in the culinary/service fields and would like to incorporate a bar/private lounge/small restaurant into the same complex, probably with the same "brand name" to be visited in hours at which the shop is not open. I would like to be in the Columbus area. If going the cars route: Located in Columbus area, or a larger area of West Virginia (Charleston, Parkersburg--hey, it's got a pretty good car scene) I would like to mostly do custom paintwork (I'm getting my bachelors of fine arts right now, just to have an extra edge should I take this route), high-end custom stereo installations, and other jobs (upholstery, custom rims, etc.) as opposed to oil changes and alignments (although those are important parts of the automotive industry). Offer full design services (as far as the cars are related) to make sure the customer is getting exactly the look they desire. ----------------------------------------- So, with the long-winded part done, what do you guys think would be most successful, and do you think that the businesses given could thrive in the selected locations? Thanks in advance.