Looking to start a business in Davis...

[ronhaha108.livejournal.com]

I've posted here before (a while back) about what kind of store is missing from Davis, what the community really needs and would utilize.  Well, I finally have saved some $$$ and really would like to get something going within the next 6 months (though, I'm really just starting this journey), so, the question raised again, what's missing?

Another question, since I'm just really starting on this, are there good resources on the web to find out where to lease / buy business space (preference is to buy).

Thanks,
Ron

Comments

[ron_newman]

I can't think of much vacant business space in Davis, though if you wanted to displace some of the first-floor accountants or insurance agencies or banks, that would be a public service.

[thetathx1138.livejournal.com]

Well, banks not so much, some of us like having convenient ATMs, Ron. :-)

[thetathx1138.livejournal.com]

The one thing I can guarantee we don't need is a women's clothing store: there's Poor Little Rich Girl, Suneri, Davis Squared, Magpie, etc. All stores I hear good things about from those who buy women's clothes. Nor do we need yet another restaurant, we've got all the bases covered in that respect.

Bowl and Board is moving into McIntyre and Moore's old space, if that helps with your decision.

If you can get it close to the Square, I'm thinking either a primarily new bookstore or a bike shop would be your best bet. To be honest I miss having a bookstore to kill time in terribly.

[talonvaki.livejournal.com]

Well, there's a great bookstore in Porter, and there's a bikeshop at Elm and Willow, so we have both of those fairly close to the Square...

What we need is a good pet supplies store that isn't Petco. Big Fish Little Fish is not it. We do have Stinky's in Ball Square, but nothing anything closer, and they're mainly dogs with some cats. It would be nice to have supplies for cats, dogs, ferrets, birds, rabbits and small mammals that, as I say, isn't Petco.

my vote is for #1

[perich.livejournal.com]

Either:

(1) A coin-op laundromat, or

(2) A booth, a la Lucy in Peanuts, where you tell me where a closer coin-op laundromat than the one six blocks down Highland Ave is.

Re: my vote is for #1

[ronhaha108.livejournal.com]

lol, that was my original thought, something like a laundromat / coffee shop or something like that.

[fappyheet.livejournal.com]

Out in Amherst, there's a place called Dave's Soda and Pet Food City, being (I think) two things people can stock in large quantities.

Something like that in Davis would be seven flavors of awesome.

[ifotismeni]

AHHH XDD someone else knows that place!!! hahahahahh that place was awesome. i loved that store!!

[lbmango.livejournal.com]

Since no one else mentioned it... What Davis square totally needs is another burrito joint!

Sorry, it's Monday, and I'm grumpy

[sonofabish.livejournal.com]

dammit, beat me to it. you suck!

Tacos?

[an-art-worker.livejournal.com]

No - not tacos. Just kidding.

Here's my business idea. I don't have the business skills to act on it but maybe you do. The value of a place like Davis is the unique, small shops. As more national/local chains have moved in, the character of the Sq. gets dilluted and generic (see: Harvard Sq.). The the cost and availability of space however make it hard for small shops to open and survive.

So... a bazaar/mall with varying size spaces that can be rented by local artisans, personal service people, perhaps simple food/beverage stands, along with a performance space in the evening.

Space-wise, with the McIntrye & Moore space gone there isn't anything big enough in Davis - but in the Porter Mall there is the entire Shaw's basement- where the clothing store was. It would need a good design to make the space work and a lot of outreach to attract the right balance of sub-tenants.

Fail-wise - generic tenants, bad layout/sound management, absence of public programming (performance events like readings, acoustic music, etc) would limit success.

Re: Tacos?

[ukelele.livejournal.com]

Wow, that sounds neat. Like permanent ArtBeat. It would definitely need great public programming to attract people outside of gift-buying season, but ...neat.

[slinkr.livejournal.com]

Davis is missing a good florist.

[avacon.livejournal.com]

Nellie's Wild Flowers on Holland is quite good.
(Their flowers are fresh and last forever and they are actually open until 7.)

[srakkt.livejournal.com]

So, I'm a fan of well-made menswear - dressing like a grownup is awesome. But that stuff is expensive - J. Press or Drinkwater's are usually out of my price range, but to be fair, it's stuff that will last decades, particularly if one goes for classic cuts rather than whatever's in fashion. The most-local option for that sort of thing without the expense is Keezer's over outside of Central, but what makes them successful is experience and recognition. No, as much as I might like a less-expensive classic menswear joint, right in the square, it seems unlikely to take off and work.

That said, more contemporary relaxed clothing for men would be a hit, I think, because while there are plenty of ladies' boutiques in the square, there aren't really good options to go get a well-made pair of no nonsense jeans (or even non-jeans trousers, which I prefer) or good stout shoes.

There *is* such a thing as a timeless men's wardrobe, and as people have grown more and more informal in styles of dress, this has become a sort of uniform, as well. So while suits and ties may not do well in the square, good trousers and jeans, nice no-nonsense shirts and shoes, good belts... I think that really would go a long way.

I'm sort of babbling, here. I don't know if anyone else concurs.

[kalliejenn2.livejournal.com]

there's a store for rent up college ave (powderhouse circle area). it's small-ish (it used to be a convenience store) but might do if you're looking for something smaller.

[ronhaha108.livejournal.com]

hmm, true, that is a great location! I'm definitely going to look into it!

Thanks!

[lilithchilde.livejournal.com]

Not as practical as many of these suggestions, but I do think we could use a bookstore. We're not lacking for bookstores relatively nearby, but it'd be nice to have one right in the community.

[cold-type.livejournal.com]

Unfortunately, it's a bad time to open a book store. Small independent stores have gotten hammered by the big chains. And everyone has been hurt by the Internet.

[koshmom.livejournal.com]

If you're going to start a business, be sure it's a business you are interested in. You're going to need to know a lot about the main topic of the store; it had better be something you like! So think about your hobbies, your likes, your dislikes. If you choose a pet store, but strongly dislike the sound of birds, the smell of dog poo or the general topic of pet conversation, don't open a store that caters to pet owners! Because you will be looked at as the local expert, second only to a vet, for advice. People will bore you with stories of their dog poo and their bird dropping eggs and their cat ripping their furniture to shreds, and think you will be utterly enthralled by their pets' antics. And if you're not, you will lose customers really fast.

If you go with a laundromat, make it a nifty place to hang out at (because you will be hanging out there a lot, and so will your customers). Perhaps have a monthly Art Exhibit, invite local artists to put their stuff on the walls. Hire a cheap band to play. Make Thursday "singles night" to encourage single people to meet over their sheets.

Whatever store you make, make it unique. Research the web for other stores elsewhere of that ilk. See what other people have done to make their stores of that kind interesting.

Good luck!

[ronhaha108.livejournal.com]

Thanks, yeah, this is true true and one of the reasons I hadn't yet started anything, my wife's family is into Subway franchises and I've had the opportunity to get involved, but... not my cup of tea. I've got a few things I'm thinking about, things I would enjoy. But at the same time, I want to know what the community at large is looking for..

Thanks for the input!

[unferth.livejournal.com]

I've always wondered why there's no falafel stand in Davis. It seems like a good market for it.

[closetalker11.livejournal.com]

MMM DELICIOUS FALAFEL

I'd buy it.

[leko.livejournal.com]

A really good candy store.

[ronhaha108.livejournal.com]

lol, my grandparents used to own a candy store in Davis, I believe it was in what is now the Downtown Wine & Spirits on Elm and Grove

[mysticalchild_isis]

As far as I can tell (although I'd be thrilled to be proven wrong), there are no juggling supply stores anywhere in the greater Boston area. The closest I ever found was a dinky magic shop in Quincy Market that carried low quality bean bag balls.

You don't need a large space for a good juggling shop- one of my favorites (Odd Balls in London) is in a tiny space.

[badseed1980.livejournal.com]

Is there a huge market for juggling supplies, though? Granted, you might find more jugglers in Davis than in other places, but still...

[cold-type.livejournal.com]

Believe it or not, I think there's actually enough demand for another good cafe. I can never find a seat in Diesel. And I've had trouble finding space at Starbucks as well.

[plumtreeblossom.livejournal.com]

I whole-heartedly agree that we could support another one, and what I'd love to see is a tea cafe with seating as well as retail, something like Tealuxe.

[chumbolly.livejournal.com]

Some things I wish I could buy in Davis but can't:
75% of the stuff at Trader Joe's
Pho
Men's underwear
Sporting goods
Shwarma
Kalles Kaviar

[ron_newman]

Family Dollar has a little bit of men's underwear, but not much.

[enochs-fable.livejournal.com]

There are plenty of open spaces closer to City Hall down School street.

[ron_newman]

Where? I can't think of any commercial space, vacant or not, on School Street.

[bobobb.livejournal.com]

I'd love to see:

A vietnamese restaurant.
A coffee shop where I could get a seat.
A shoe store would be great.
I love porter square books but would not be adverse to having another independent bookstore in the area, perhaps with more of a speciality.
A toy store or a "toy" store? Both would no doubt be popular in the area.

[ukelele.livejournal.com]

There's a toy store on Mass Ave near Porter -- Stellabella.

[insignia11.livejournal.com]

I Agree, A sporting goods store would be nice. For us DIY'ers I'd like a hardware store. Tags is nice, but its a pain to walk down there if I need something small.

[magid.livejournal.com]

FYI, there is a sporting goods place on Mass Ave, just outbound from Porter Sq (and on that side of the street). I think it's next to the post office. (And they have two levels, not just what's visible in the window.)

[icecreamempress.livejournal.com]

As koshmom said, the most important thing is that it be a business YOU are interested in.

What kind of business would you like to run?

[ronhaha108.livejournal.com]

Yep, this is true, I've got some ideas, but was curious about others. My tendencies are more towards social type business, coffee shop, ice cream, etc.. though combos work too, laundromat w/coffee shop, etc...

Thanks,
Ron

[rethcir.livejournal.com]

We need a really killer pizza joint. Cristo's and Mike's are good, and dommie's will do in a pinch, but I would describe Davis as being a pizza black hole. We need a great pizza place that delivers reliably and rapidly, and is a top notch place to hang out right in Davis. I think a good example would be Expresso's (Boston and Winthrop, Medford, near tufts) - in Davis, that place would absolutely knock 'em dead.

Another thing is that pizza places are major cash cows so I'm sure it would be worth your investment. Maybe you could get a franchise of Sal's (best pizza in the merrimack valley) going?

[nomacmac.livejournal.com]

I would love a good pizza restaurant. Something that feels like you're eating at a real restaurant, with table service and a good beer menu.

Niche or Convenience?

[tequilamckngbrd.livejournal.com]

I believe there are two things to look for when starting a business in the Davis Square area:

1. Finding a niche - What are the other stores you'll be competing against? There definitely aren't many chain stores around here, I like it that way, and I think most people that live here feel the same way. The only chains that survive are the thrift-like stores. The only problem with niche stores, it's hard to get repeat business, unless you're able to get new and different weekly items.

2. Convenience - Why go to your store if I can go to a store closer by? I would look into places around a 20 square mile radius. I go to Best Buy to browse and buy electronic things, but the nearest place is in Back Bay or Watertown. Usually I'd order these things online, but if I need them now, that's where I'd go.

What are you looking for? A place of business where people socialize (like a coffee shop), or a place of business to market goods (like a clothing store)? I don't think people shopping for goods look at Davis Square, so I'd recommend not opening one of those. Most places to socialize are coffee shops and eateries. They're done to death here, but you'll get some business if the vibe is right.

Note: Not many places to park here, so the business demographic will need to focus on locals.

A candy shop I heard here wouldn't be a bad idea. A recreational area (pool, console games, etc.) might be fun. There's also no print/copy shops around. Use your imagination, I think you can come up with a good niche store.

Re: Niche or Convenience?

[ron_newman]

Princeton Printing (in the plaza next to Starbucks) and UPS Store both do copying and printing.

[genevra-mcneil.livejournal.com]

A noodle bar. I miss Ma Soba (in Harvard) like you wouldn't believe and I'd love to have a place to stop in and get a quick, cheap, yummy bowl of noodles.

Barring that, I second someone's suggestion for a good falafel shop. Cheap, fast, on the run food is seriously lacking in the Sq.

Another thing: A tea house. We've got coffee shops aplenty in Davis, but I'd love a place to get good tea. Yeah, I know TeaLuxe is just two stops away on the RedLine but there are almost no seats there and I want somewhere I can sit with my pot and read a book on a rainy afternoon.

Finally, and this is a reach since you didn't say you were a pastry chef or anything, a decent patisserie. By which I mean a nice French pastry shop rather than an Italian cannoli shop. I would kill for a decent croissant most days.

[fappyheet.livejournal.com]

Sweet jeebus, we need a noodle bar or at least some sort of junk Japanese food (donburi / katsu / teriyaki). That's probably the Seattlite in me talking, though.

[somervillemarty.livejournal.com]

That sounds great! I'd totally go to a place like that.

[hrafn.livejournal.com]

I'd love a cafe with a good variety of soups. And I don't mean a couple of soups in addition to a dozen sandwiches and salads; I mean a couple dozen soups with the sandwiches as the "extra."

Noodle-based soups would be a big win; I know the Porter Exchange isn't that far away, but when I most want soup is when I least want to travel very far (cold nasty weather).

Soup + tea house.

[firepail.livejournal.com]

MMMMmmmmm!