Date: Sat, 11 Jul 1998 11:45:54 -0500
To: balloondeco@fooledya.com
From: joy bernatz <blnofjoy@clear.lakes.com>
Subject: Store fronts

I have a different problem that probably no one else has had before. Right
now I have a store inside of our Motel and banquet facilities. It is doing
fairly well as I have had the store there for 3 years and have had the
Motel for almost 9 years. The problem is we have decided to let the whole
unit go back to the bank so it is for sale. The reasoning for this is
because it cost us so much to build it we can never get ahead let alone
take a salary out of it. God knows we have tryed! We (my business partner
and I)
are also tired of the long hours. Every Saturday nite it is 3 in the
morning before we get out. I have protected the balloon business so I can
move it.
O.K. heres the problem: I live on a
farm on a gravel road, not that easy to access. I know Malls aren't for me
as I did a store in our local Mall in trade for Cristmas decor. I was there
the month of December and it did not pay off at all. I aloso did a kiosk at
a larger Mall near us for two weeks at Valentines day. I did well but when
you consider the time
setting up and tearing down it was also not worth it.

I am currently thinking of moving the balloon business to our local town
but have it in a store front on a fairly heavy traveled street. I can't
think of any other way to do it because of my farm location. I do mostly
wedding decor and have some rentals and sell wedding related items.

So much for my life story but thought my exeperience in the malls might be
interesting to those just starting out. If anybody has any suggestions as
to a better solution to my problem I would be glad to here any advice 
Thanks for listening!
Joy 
Balloons of Joy