From: "Alan Jordan" <alanj@jps.net>
To: <balloondeco@balloonhq.com>
Subject: Request for prof. advice on storefront
Date: Fri, 14 Jul 2000 15:17:35 -0500

Hi all;

Once again I'm going to beg the indulgence of the
list professionals, and ask for input.  :)  I know
I'm probably being too specific in what I'm asking for,
but any input, especially from those of you in similar
situations/locations would be appreciated.

Due to circumstances beyond our control (a very long
story) our brand new storefront (5 months old) is temp.
closed for an unknown length of time. We
were doing okay for a town this small (9000) and
were starting to increase sales bit by bit the last 2
months.

Now we have the opportunity to lease a retail space in a
neighboring city with a population of at least 25000 (and
we were told that population figure is at least 2 years old
and is below the actual count now) and it's about 30 minutes
from us.  Moving our household to this city is not an option
at this time, so we'd have to drive back and forth for at least
a year or so.

The city has experienced a tremendous growth spurt lately,
and is still expanding.  There are several new stores being
built now, including a CVS and a pet products supercenter.
There are at least 7 schools in the city, but no colleges.
Median income is about $52000, average age 33, with more
professional type jobs and much more disposable income than
the town we are in now.  For what it's worth, the Wall Street
Journal cited this city as "1 of 20 of the fastest-growing and
wealthiest counties in the country".  :)    FWIW.

The available retail space is in the "main" strip mall w/ restraunt,
large video store, ins. office, and bookstore.  A children's
hair design is going to be opening there also in the next month
or so.  It's an "L" shaped strip, and I don't remember what's on the
other side, but there are at least 3-4 other businesses on that side.

The strip mall is within one block of several fast food
places, 2 nice family places (Applebee's and Perkin's), and a Wal-
Mart.  On the opposite corner (across the highway) is a pizza
place, another hair salon, chiropractor, and cleaners.  Another
block down the street is a huge "Arbortorium", which was recently
remodeled, is breathtakingly beautiful, and is accepting bookings 
for receptions, parties, etc.  Very high class and brand new, just
finished this year.

Main advantage:  There is NO balloon shop or decorator in town....yet.
WalMart sells mylars (grin).  The flower shops don't advertise 
balloons so I'm not sure if they even offer them; if they do it's
obviously not a large part of their stock.  The closest place to 
get balloons is the next town, about 20 minutes away.

Soo, we decided to go for broke. (And I do mean literally!  LOL)
But, if at all possible I'd like to get an idea of what our gross
sales would consist of.  Now obviously I realize every town is different,
but based on the info and demographics, I'm wondering if anyone on
the list who has basically the same stats could give me an inkling
of what I might be looking at?  I know that our rent is "supposed" to
be close to 25% of our gross income, and we were doing that in our
old location in the smaller town.  But the rent is so much higher at the
strip mall, I can't imagine making gross sales of 4 times that much!!!
But, then again, I'm from a small town and have no experience running
a shop in a larger city of that size.

Any info would be greatly appreciated, even if it's an educated 
guess!  :)

Thanks bunches,

TJ




Theresa Jordan
Balloons 'N Stuff
IN   USA