Get gas prices up over $5 and folks might stop driving to do all their shopping. Local needs + lack of economical transportation = greater need for local shopping. Then you would have to find a way to get an angle on the franchises and other big names.
Look at that the oil companies really are for the little guy.
Couldn't "Family owned businesses" work today in
Moderator: Jim O'Bryan
-
ryan costa
- Posts: 2486
- Joined: Fri Jan 06, 2006 10:31 pm
Shawn Juris wrote:Get gas prices up over $5 and folks might stop driving to do all their shopping. Local needs + lack of economical transportation = greater need for local shopping. Then you would have to find a way to get an angle on the franchises and other big names.
Look at that the oil companies really are for the little guy.
It is New Invisible Hand, eh
-
Chris Wiegand
- Posts: 1
- Joined: Mon Nov 14, 2005 7:59 pm
- Location: lakewood
Good point Shawn!
It's already more expensive for me to drive to Walmart to save an insignificant amount of money on lets say toilet paper, the gas price offsets the entire savings and then some, of course i don't have the most efficient car (Chevy Astro), but i need it to haul around my video production equipment.
I would much rather walk up to the corner "toilet paper" outlet store if there were one.
Theres an idea ..... everyone needs toilet paper right?
I've always supported local owned business when i could, even if it did cost me a little more, sometimes much more.
Unfortunately there is this mind set that makes people feel like they've won the lottery if they can save 2 dollars for every 50 spent.
That is one of the BEAUTIFUL things about the 'wood'. There are 20 times the amount of "small shops" here then there are in Westlake and North Olmsted combined!
So Mark, take a drive down Lorain Rd thru North Olmsted and ask yourself that same question, or even better .... there are alot of vacant storefronts on Madison and they are very cheap .... have you ever thought of having your own shop? My wifes cafe will be open sometime in the spring, you can support that when it opens, as a family we would appreciate it.
Sincerely Glad to be back in Lakewood,
Chris Wiegand
It's already more expensive for me to drive to Walmart to save an insignificant amount of money on lets say toilet paper, the gas price offsets the entire savings and then some, of course i don't have the most efficient car (Chevy Astro), but i need it to haul around my video production equipment.
I would much rather walk up to the corner "toilet paper" outlet store if there were one.
Theres an idea ..... everyone needs toilet paper right?
I've always supported local owned business when i could, even if it did cost me a little more, sometimes much more.
Unfortunately there is this mind set that makes people feel like they've won the lottery if they can save 2 dollars for every 50 spent.
That is one of the BEAUTIFUL things about the 'wood'. There are 20 times the amount of "small shops" here then there are in Westlake and North Olmsted combined!
So Mark, take a drive down Lorain Rd thru North Olmsted and ask yourself that same question, or even better .... there are alot of vacant storefronts on Madison and they are very cheap .... have you ever thought of having your own shop? My wifes cafe will be open sometime in the spring, you can support that when it opens, as a family we would appreciate it.
Sincerely Glad to be back in Lakewood,
Chris Wiegand
-
Jim O'Bryan
- Posts: 14196
- Joined: Thu Mar 10, 2005 10:12 pm
- Location: Lakewood
- Contact:
Chris
As you just got back into town, the toilet paper outlet store id called Dollar Tree. I stopped in yesterday to get candy for the parade, and the three families in front of me all had toilet paper only $1.00.
When I mentioned this to my wife she claims this is where all of our toiletries have been coming from since they opened. She loves the Dollar Tree, as do others, the parking lot was packed and the store alive with activity.
Please keep us posted on your wife's cafe, and do not forget that members of LO's Lakewood Shopping Experience receive good discounts on signage, printing, Internet, WiFi, and everything a new business would need in Lakewood. Not only are Lakewood storefronts affordable, but working with LO make them cheap and in some cases FREE with the discount we offer.
.
As you just got back into town, the toilet paper outlet store id called Dollar Tree. I stopped in yesterday to get candy for the parade, and the three families in front of me all had toilet paper only $1.00.
When I mentioned this to my wife she claims this is where all of our toiletries have been coming from since they opened. She loves the Dollar Tree, as do others, the parking lot was packed and the store alive with activity.
Please keep us posted on your wife's cafe, and do not forget that members of LO's Lakewood Shopping Experience receive good discounts on signage, printing, Internet, WiFi, and everything a new business would need in Lakewood. Not only are Lakewood storefronts affordable, but working with LO make them cheap and in some cases FREE with the discount we offer.
.
Jim O'Bryan
Lakewood Resident
"The very act of observing disturbs the system."
Werner Heisenberg
"If anything I've said seems useful to you, I'm glad.
If not, don't worry. Just forget about it."
His Holiness The Dalai Lama
Lakewood Resident
"The very act of observing disturbs the system."
Werner Heisenberg
"If anything I've said seems useful to you, I'm glad.
If not, don't worry. Just forget about it."
His Holiness The Dalai Lama
-
c. dawson
- Posts: 194
- Joined: Fri Apr 14, 2006 2:22 pm
I'm wondering if it's just difficult to start a business in town? I have a friend who's been contemplating opening a yoga studio, but she doesn't think she's going to have much luck finding a location, and thinks that a lack of parking is going to make it tough. Is this a viable concern? Or is she worrying about something that's not a worry?
-
Jim O'Bryan
- Posts: 14196
- Joined: Thu Mar 10, 2005 10:12 pm
- Location: Lakewood
- Contact:
c. dawson wrote:I'm wondering if it's just difficult to start a business in town? I have a friend who's been contemplating opening a yoga studio, but she doesn't think she's going to have much luck finding a location, and thinks that a lack of parking is going to make it tough. Is this a viable concern? Or is she worrying about something that's not a worry?
Have her call me at the office or email me.
There is a couple perfect locations right now, very affordable.
.
Jim O'Bryan
Lakewood Resident
"The very act of observing disturbs the system."
Werner Heisenberg
"If anything I've said seems useful to you, I'm glad.
If not, don't worry. Just forget about it."
His Holiness The Dalai Lama
Lakewood Resident
"The very act of observing disturbs the system."
Werner Heisenberg
"If anything I've said seems useful to you, I'm glad.
If not, don't worry. Just forget about it."
His Holiness The Dalai Lama
-
c. dawson
- Posts: 194
- Joined: Fri Apr 14, 2006 2:22 pm
will do ... she's a longtime friend, and like me, new to Lakewood! And she's got a strong desire to do this. So any help is appreciated!
And while this is off the subject a bit, I must say that as an utter newcomer to Lakewood, and coming from the dreaded East Side ... I'm really enjoying life here. It's a great place to live, and I'm happy to put some roots down here! And I'm even learning my way around ... finding good restaurants, and totally enjoying the local experience and the folks. People here are a LOT friendlier than over on the East Side.
And while this is off the subject a bit, I must say that as an utter newcomer to Lakewood, and coming from the dreaded East Side ... I'm really enjoying life here. It's a great place to live, and I'm happy to put some roots down here! And I'm even learning my way around ... finding good restaurants, and totally enjoying the local experience and the folks. People here are a LOT friendlier than over on the East Side.
-
Jim O'Bryan
- Posts: 14196
- Joined: Thu Mar 10, 2005 10:12 pm
- Location: Lakewood
- Contact:
c. dawson wrote:will do ... she's a longtime friend, and like me, new to Lakewood! And she's got a strong desire to do this. So any help is appreciated!
And while this is off the subject a bit, I must say that as an utter newcomer to Lakewood, and coming from the dreaded East Side ... I'm really enjoying life here. It's a great place to live, and I'm happy to put some roots down here! And I'm even learning my way around ... finding good restaurants, and totally enjoying the local experience and the folks. People here are a LOT friendlier than over on the East Side.
C. Dawson
There are good things to be said for all parts of Cleveland. Me I like Lakewood for a variety of reasons. Glad to hear you like it.
.
Jim O'Bryan
Lakewood Resident
"The very act of observing disturbs the system."
Werner Heisenberg
"If anything I've said seems useful to you, I'm glad.
If not, don't worry. Just forget about it."
His Holiness The Dalai Lama
Lakewood Resident
"The very act of observing disturbs the system."
Werner Heisenberg
"If anything I've said seems useful to you, I'm glad.
If not, don't worry. Just forget about it."
His Holiness The Dalai Lama
-
Stan Austin
- Contributor
- Posts: 2465
- Joined: Tue Mar 15, 2005 12:02 pm
- Contact:
-
dl meckes
- Posts: 1475
- Joined: Mon Mar 07, 2005 6:29 pm
- Location: Lakewood
Lakewood has a growing number of wellness related businesses and I think a Yoga place would fit right in.
There are a couple of areas in LKWD that are practically "Wellness Districts."
Adding a harmonious business in those areas might be a good idea.
There are a couple of areas in LKWD that are practically "Wellness Districts."
Adding a harmonious business in those areas might be a good idea.
“One of they key problems today is that politics is such a disgrace. Good people don’t go into government.”- 45
-
Mark Crnolatas
- Posts: 400
- Joined: Fri Mar 25, 2005 10:32 pm
- Location: Lakewood, Ohio
Business
Chris and "anyone"..
Ask and you have my support. Now I have something to ask of the forum.
You have no idea how much my wife and I would like to have a business going here. In fact, we have to get some sort of an idea in action real fast here and get it going.
I'm a LHS class of '68 and my wife is 5 yrs younger. We have little girl a year and half old. We thought we had the world figured out, when we did have a business going for near 15 yrs, and when 9/11 hit, circumstances related to it, pulled the rug out from under our business, and we ended up without one, savings gone yada yada yada. Now we need to to figure out what would go over and succeed here.
The odd thing, is we've exhausted the "who can we talk to" avenues of "services" on all levels, and found that people in our position don't HAVE anyone to talk to.
We need someone to bounce some ideas we have, off of, who could advise us yay or nay...then we would need to find some start up monies if required.
This is what is frustrating. I have several ideas, but no one to sit on my front steps with, and yak about them, and get 1 or more of them going.
We need to provide for our little one, now and for sure give her and ourselves a future.
I believe in our city, I believe that it offers a potential for many things, and this thread is helping give some "hope" by just reading it, altho that's not the thread's theme or intention I know.
Anyone care to pull up a seat on our steps and hear some ideas like SOON? Like TONIGH? No we wont hit on anyone for money, *so no one needs to be scared of that*...Maybe give us a yay or nay on some? I'll provide the coffee/pop/whatever to drink .. and a great front step ...
To quote the teacher in the movie "3 o'Clock High" .."Anyone, Anyone, Anyone, Anyone? "
Mark
P.S. I'm not asking for a pro consultant here, just someone who's in business(s) and is willing to listen and give a few thumbs up or down on some ideas.
Ask and you have my support. Now I have something to ask of the forum.
You have no idea how much my wife and I would like to have a business going here. In fact, we have to get some sort of an idea in action real fast here and get it going.
I'm a LHS class of '68 and my wife is 5 yrs younger. We have little girl a year and half old. We thought we had the world figured out, when we did have a business going for near 15 yrs, and when 9/11 hit, circumstances related to it, pulled the rug out from under our business, and we ended up without one, savings gone yada yada yada. Now we need to to figure out what would go over and succeed here.
The odd thing, is we've exhausted the "who can we talk to" avenues of "services" on all levels, and found that people in our position don't HAVE anyone to talk to.
We need someone to bounce some ideas we have, off of, who could advise us yay or nay...then we would need to find some start up monies if required.
This is what is frustrating. I have several ideas, but no one to sit on my front steps with, and yak about them, and get 1 or more of them going.
We need to provide for our little one, now and for sure give her and ourselves a future.
I believe in our city, I believe that it offers a potential for many things, and this thread is helping give some "hope" by just reading it, altho that's not the thread's theme or intention I know.
Anyone care to pull up a seat on our steps and hear some ideas like SOON? Like TONIGH? No we wont hit on anyone for money, *so no one needs to be scared of that*...Maybe give us a yay or nay on some? I'll provide the coffee/pop/whatever to drink .. and a great front step ...
To quote the teacher in the movie "3 o'Clock High" .."Anyone, Anyone, Anyone, Anyone? "
Mark
P.S. I'm not asking for a pro consultant here, just someone who's in business(s) and is willing to listen and give a few thumbs up or down on some ideas.
-
ryan costa
- Posts: 2486
- Joined: Fri Jan 06, 2006 10:31 pm
Subway, Chipotle
Opening a Subway or imitation Chipotle style restaurant often works out. I met a guy who seemed to own several Bob Evans or something once.
The Convenience stores often owned by Indians or West Asians seem to gainfully employ them. Sometimes I enjoy a hot beverage at the United Dairy Farmers convenience store in town.
Motels usually require a much greater initial investment. Coffee shops tend to go under quick, unless they're owned by a big chain. IGAs seem able to thrive in the sticks and small out of the way towns.
Food service is kind of fast pace. If you're going to go retail I would suggest a convenience store. There are a few chronically empty convenience store buildings along lake road in Avon Lake and Sheffield Lake. Study the Indians and Arabs.
Here is an idea I thought of earlier this week: charitable organizations suck up a lot of donation money paying their administration and operations cost. Sometimes nearly 50 percent. Set yourself up as a charity solicitor: When some old people's furnace goes out you solicit donations, promising to only take 5 percent for yourself.
Medium Range transportation is also growing in certain regions of the country where trains and Bus lines don't run any longer. Get a small van and offer fixed routes from a few pick up spots in lakewood/cleveland to a few pick up spots in Medina or Akron.
The Convenience stores often owned by Indians or West Asians seem to gainfully employ them. Sometimes I enjoy a hot beverage at the United Dairy Farmers convenience store in town.
Motels usually require a much greater initial investment. Coffee shops tend to go under quick, unless they're owned by a big chain. IGAs seem able to thrive in the sticks and small out of the way towns.
Food service is kind of fast pace. If you're going to go retail I would suggest a convenience store. There are a few chronically empty convenience store buildings along lake road in Avon Lake and Sheffield Lake. Study the Indians and Arabs.
Here is an idea I thought of earlier this week: charitable organizations suck up a lot of donation money paying their administration and operations cost. Sometimes nearly 50 percent. Set yourself up as a charity solicitor: When some old people's furnace goes out you solicit donations, promising to only take 5 percent for yourself.
Medium Range transportation is also growing in certain regions of the country where trains and Bus lines don't run any longer. Get a small van and offer fixed routes from a few pick up spots in lakewood/cleveland to a few pick up spots in Medina or Akron.