College town blues

[george]

I have a store in a college University town.
its been unusually slow & now that the kids are back. Its still really, really slow. I know it will pick up soon. But this has been a income killer.
Anyone else have a mat in a college town facing the same income blues?

Anyway also any advice on income ideas for a college town? The kids here do not play video games whatso ever. I provide free I-net access.
Just wondering? I am going to put a coke & snack machine.

George

[Walter]

George,

I don't know the set up in your store, but in some college towns mat owners have satellite TVS and do "Monday Night Football" type of events (including free peanuts & pretzels) to draw college students...

Also, given it's a college town, maybe you could develop a pick up & delivery wash & fold service by working with fraternities & sororities...

Hope this helps...

Walter

[pete f]

free wash for the ladies..

[TLR]

Take credit cards for the WDF and make sure you advertise it in their fraternity and sorority houses. They do not want to spend their cash - but they swipe their dad's credit card in an instant - and make sure you tell them to tell their friends. If you have attendants do the WDF - be sure and pay them a percetage - 10% - so they will do a good job and sell the concept for you and develop return customers. The basic ground work must be in place for the WDF to succeed - and it will over time increase - but it takes some effort.
Be sure you advertise in their campus phone directory also look into coupons at their nearest grocery store.

TLR

[Silent Roo]

I was in a college town as a distributer. It was a smaller town. the school had a internal debit card. We signed an agreement to take it. Many merchants in town and fast food restraunts did as well. It gave us a HUGE advantage over the other mat in town which was unattended and could not.

[PeterH]

"Don't lug/drag/carry your dirty clothes home to Mom! Do them here! Got dad's credit card? Even better!"