Messages

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Antique Questions Forum / Re: Antique Mall location

« on: August 01, 2014, 10:39:08 am »

Does anyone feel that having a thrift store next door (and I must say, this is a nicer thrift store, not a dump, but their prices are very low (mostly clothing)) might turn away some sellers because they think that the competition will kill sales? As you probably are aware, an antique mall's income is mostly from rental space to dealers.
Thanks again for the feedback!

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Antique Questions Forum / Re: Antique Mall location

« on: July 31, 2014, 02:33:06 pm »

Wow. I hadn't expected this kind of positive reaction. I was leaning against this location and wanted to continue looking elsewhere but my mind is/was open, so I thought I'd post online and get some feedback. These answers have certainly swayed my feelings regarding this location. Everything mentioned makes sense and even the idea of kids (and items possibly getting damaged) doesn't seem so bad.
Thank you all for the comments and if anyone has anything to add, please do. I will be monitoring this thread.

Thanks again!

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Antique Questions Forum / Re: Antique Mall location

« on: July 31, 2014, 04:29:15 am »

Thanks for the replies. The building is in a nice suburban neighborhood. The location is in a strip mall with fast food, a Kmart and various other small businesses. All seem to be doing OK. The grocer that used to be in this building moved down the road to a larger space.
VoodooDolly: I agree that a busy thrift store would help our traffic but since an antique mall is mostly a 'destination business' would that thrift store traffic result in sales?
Cogar, you brought up an interesting point I hadn't thought of: children. My wife and I have been to dozens of antique malls and seldom do we see kids in them. However, they are there many times in thrift stores (destroying the toy section). Obviously, if mommy takes them with her to the thrift store and she decides to go next door to my mall, they will be coming in too.

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Antique Questions Forum / Antique Mall location

« on: July 30, 2014, 08:06:01 pm »

Hello!
My wife and I are planning on opening an antique mall and have faced quite a few challenges. We recently toured a building that looks promising but has one thing that is kind of bugging us - there's a thrift store next to the location.
When I say 'next to', I really mean 'in the same building'. The building used to be a grocery store but was divided down the middle. The thrift store is is completely separate from the other side but the two sides share a common front awning. There is no 'pass thru' between the two sides.  Like a duplex - two different residents that share a common wall.
We are concerned that customers will think that our mall is part of the thrift store and vice versa. The real estate agent thinks they will complement one another as customers of each are interested in used merchandise. I don't agree exactly.
Is this something we should even concern ourselves with? If you rent space(s) in an antique mall, would this arrangement concern you?
Opinions both from the professional viewpoint as well as a customers viewpoint would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.