The advantage of the strip mall is the parking and "one-stop" access. Whereas the advantage of the free-standing building is the opportunity for drive thru which is not an option with the strip mall.
2007-03-08 09:01:51 · 6 answers · asked by Cinnamon 6 in Food & Drink ➔ Other - Food & Drink
location is more important than what kind of building, so make sure you have a good location where there is a lot of traffic and good visibility, and it's a nice neighborhood. Also, a strip mall parking lot can be a negative if it's hard to get into and out of or there are not enough parking spots. We have several Panera Bread places around here, all in strip malls, but you can't get parking, so I don't stop. They'd have so much more business if they were in better locations that could handle all the traffic they generate. I've also seen free standing restaurants with drive thrus where you can't get into or out of the restaurant's parking lot or drive-thru exit because the traffic on the highway is too heavy. You have to exit going the wrong way, drive down the road a little, then turn around and back track. It's a hassle. For a place I really like, I might sometimes be willing to do the backtracking, but not for a new place or someplace I've never been.
Make sure you check the traffic of a potential location several times during the day to see what it's like during all of the hours you'll be open. Some times it will be lighter and others heavier. Take a look at the cars driving by and make sure they are the income level of the customer you hope to attract. If you find a place in a strip mall that you really like, work with the developer/landlord to see if you can get an end unit and put a drive-thru window in....if the parking area can be configured for a drive-thru lane around the building.
If the emphasis of your business will be on coffee, then I can see why a drive-thru is attractive...get 'em in and get 'em out. But if you really want to promote the bakery end of it, there's nothing like the visuals and scents of being inside the place. That's what sells bakery goods. Then a drive-thru shouldn't be a priority.
Good luck!!
2007-03-08 09:21:11 · answer #1 · answered by macc_1957 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Those are all good and valid points, but the number one thing you have to remember is location, location, location. Secondly I would go for the strip mall only cause of the extra traffic you could possibly get. With a free standing building someone would have to specifically be coming to see you. Whereas, if you were in a strip mall, people that are already in the area doing business have the possibility of stopping by and grabbing something to eat or some coffee. Just my 2 cents. :o)
2007-03-08 09:42:14 · answer #2 · answered by Anamika 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
And the other advantage of a strip mall is the overflow business you might get from the neighboring businesses. For instance, if there is a dry cleaner nearby that could be a boon for your business. People alwasy drop off their dry cleaning in the morning and what else do they do in the morning? Buy coffee of course. If there is a copy place near by or a computer internet access joint, all of that could help your business a well. If you don't know what businesses are in the strip mall already, find out. That said, if there are other businesses that may not help you in your new location, like hardware stores, fast food joint, etc. I don't know if they will help your business too much.,
There are advantaged to a freestanding building... you mentioned the drive thru aspect, which is good if you're the only drive thru coffee place around.
But the most importnat aspect of any business... location, location, location. If you're way out in the middle of Nowheresville, it doesn't matter how good your coffee is.
2007-03-08 09:31:20 · answer #3 · answered by bodinibold 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
More important is the traffic and the neighborhood - a mall in a nicer neighborhood will probably do better than a free standing business in a lesser one
2007-03-08 09:07:15 · answer #4 · answered by kanman1958 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Depends on the atmosphere also. If you want a cute little neighborhood shop a drive-thru doesn't scream "homey feel." Although having many customers is very important so everything already mentioned I agree with.
2007-03-08 09:10:29 · answer #5 · answered by N323 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Both are great ideas. Remember you build a business. IF your great the people will come. HAVE faith.
2007-03-08 09:06:01 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋