Location- Same Strip Mall As A Bridal Shop??--Long
Business By jillmakescakes Updated 9 Oct 2008 , 3:52am by sari66
Ok, so there is a very long story behind this, but there is a bridal shop in a strip mall on the MAIN highway in my part of town with two empty spaces for lease!!! one is 2500 sq ftthe other is 1400 sq ft. We are in talks with the landlord about the lease, which has a ton of horrible language. There is also a space that is 1125 sq ft on a lesser known street, but still VERY easy to find with very simple directions. Their lease is $800 per month, which is a steal in my location. (the other two places are $15 per sq ft, but everything is negotiable 
, right IndyDebi?)
So my question to all of you is this :
Do you think that being next to a bridal shop with amazing street visiblity will provide for THAT much more traffic to allow me to justify the higher rent?
I would love to have the 1400sq ft space right next door to the bridal shop, but what if they decide to close shop, or move? Also, if I can get just as much business with the lower rent space, then why pay more in rent if I don't have to?
I'm so confilicted- I'd love some opinions and feedback. Thank you!!1
Do you think that being next to a bridal shop with amazing street visiblity will provide for THAT much more traffic to allow me to justify the higher rent?
I would love to have the 1400sq ft space right next door to the bridal shop, but what if they decide to close shop, or move? Also, if I can get just as much business with the lower rent space, then why pay more in rent if I don't have to?
A few questions for you:
* Are the spaces you're looking at commercial kitchens?
* If not, how much time and money would it take to convert them into kitchens? Are those properties zoned for kitchen space? Will the landlord allow you to convert?
* If they're already kitchens, are they up to code? Will you need to bring them up? Will you need to buy new equipment?
As for the bridal shop:
* Do they have a "preferred baker" as mentioned by JoAnnB.
* What's their client base like? Budget brides? High end? Mid-range? Are they your target demographic?
* What's their reputation? Are the known for being difficult or have a history of problems? (Would you want to be associated with them in any way?)
* Bridal shops come and go all the time. Don't put your hopes into a single retailer to provide any kind of traffic for you.
My overall advice is to go with what you can afford NOW. Keep your operating costs low.
Brides are notorious comparison shoppers and typically aren't afraid to travel around their area to find the best baker for them. Location isn't everything in our business. If you're good, they will find you. 
I agree with Whimsette said.... but especially go with what you can afford now. Make the best of it and if you need to move later or want to move later....deal with it then.
There are other locations close by my shop...but I cannot **comfortably** afford them on my own.
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