Need help drawing in business at "newly" re-opened store

[jiffyclean]

Sorry for the long note.

In mid-june I purchased the property (single tenant commercial), at a good discount,of a mat in an established area along with the equipment (was closed down for a few months ~3 or 4 months). This location was closed because the operator, who owned approx 10 locations, went under after a couple year struggle due to his loan note expenses and increased competition at some of his mats. He also had 2 other mats that were near (1 less than a mile away and another within 3 miles) the location I bought. Both of which will no longer be mats since the landlords renovated the space and intend on renting them out as other retail space.

The location I bought has been there for over 20+ years. One of the negatives to the store I purchased is a street construction project that has run over budget and over the timeline (over 2 yrs). Currently the project is finishing up and 2 way traffic (currently only 1 way) and should be completed in 2-4 weeks. I have fixed up the equipment/upgraded the equipment in this location. BTW... this is a coin operated store.

I opened this store this past Sunday (7/30/06). I have been averaging around $20/ day since the only advertising I've done is place banners in front of the building. I need help on bringing more people in to the store. Any suggestions?

[pete f]

I have found when you have a good location people come. The street project will have big bearing. once finished customers will be traveling the road. Keep the place very clean, everything working, a/c cool so when a new customer comes in they will come back. In time it should build up if you are located well.

[Mr.Clean]

Sorry for the long note.

In mid-june I purchased the property (single tenant commercial), at a good discount,of a mat in an established area along with the equipment (was closed down for a few months ~3 or 4 months). This location was closed because the operator, who owned approx 10 locations, went under after a couple year struggle due to his loan note expenses and increased competition at some of his mats. He also had 2 other mats that were near (1 less than a mile away and another within 3 miles) the location I bought. Both of which will no longer be mats since the landlords renovated the space and intend on renting them out as other retail space.

The location I bought has been there for over 20+ years. One of the negatives to the store I purchased is a street construction project that has run over budget and over the timeline (over 2 yrs). Currently the project is finishing up and 2 way traffic (currently only 1 way) and should be completed in 2-4 weeks. I have fixed up the equipment/upgraded the equipment in this location. BTW... this is a coin operated store.

I opened this store this past Sunday (7/30/06). I have been averaging around $20/ day since the only advertising I've done is place banners in front of the building. I need help on bringing more people in to the store. Any suggestions?


Wow,

That sounds familar!! Rest assured it will get better. I opened my first store last Nov and also had days of $20. I would complain to my wife that we spent more running the lights that day then we made. Well 9 months later we avg. $220/day. I did the advertising thing in penny saver and did many many flyers at the local apt complexes. I now only do door hangers as I have found that apt managers will take the flyers off of the cars in the lot. Keep the place really clean, keep out the homeless looking to bathe in your restroom and beg from your customers and did I mention keeping your store really clean?? Over time customers will find out that you are there and if it's new they will come back.

Mr. Clean

[Sunflower]

Wow,

That sounds familar!! Rest assured it will get better. I opened my first store last Nov and also had days of $20. I would complain to my wife that we spent more running the lights that day then we made. Well 9 months later we avg. $220/day. I did the advertising thing in penny saver and did many many flyers at the local apt complexes. I now only do door hangers as I have found that apt managers will take the flyers off of the cars in the lot. Keep the place really clean, keep out the homeless looking to bathe in your restroom and beg from your customers and did I mention keeping your store really clean?? Over time customers will find out that you are there and if it's new they will come back.

Mr. Clean

Mr. Clean and Pete are right. We were in the same situation. My lowest day was $39. (That hurt so bad. My stomach still turns at the thought...) Word of Mouth is the biggest and best way. I also did a free wash and plan to do a .25 one when we finish the remodel (much to the dismay of some others around here ;o) The wash sell brought a lot of people in. There's nothing like free. It's a cheap way to advertise. Figured it only cost me .25 a load. We had ours closed for 4 agonizing months. We are still remodeling but people are using the mat and many rave about how much nicer it is--well everybody that's local does! My point is if you put money and TIME into making the place better, people will come back and probably more than ever. We have been pleasantly surprised at the increase in our business! Good Luck! P.S. A lot of average joe citezens who wouldn't necessarily need a laundromat use our 50lb machines.

[Sunflower]

One more thing. If your town isn't gigantic your local newspaper would probably love to do a write-up about your new and improved business.

[jiffyclean]

To keep you guys updated...

Street is progressing, but still not all the way open for both directions of traffic. In our 2nd week of being open, the store averaged about $80/day. That is encouraging since it averaged below $50 the week before. I made up some flyers this weekend to have distributed over the next week. I'm also interviewing attendants to try to start up the wdf business at the location. Wish me luck.

JiffyClean

[Gatorlenny]

Go get a banner made that says New owners, new eqp, blah, blah and hang it on the front of the store. Big bright sign and colors that people will see.