Moving to Diamond City (Austin, Cove: housing, rental, motel)

[bulger1223]

My husband and I are moving to Arkansas, we are looking for a home in Diamond City area. My husband and his brother are building houses in Diamond City. I have heard there aren't alot of businesses, I have thought about opening a small coffee shop there, and would like to know if there is a need for small business in this town. Or if anyone can think of something this town may need, a service or retail business. I am really looking forward to this move, we live in Michigan, and the winters here are awful, we are in our 50's and really sick of winter. I would really like to know if opening a business there will be something the people of Diamond City would welcome or not.....bulger1223

[Stormcrow73]

I grew up just down the road from Diamond City. Your success with a coffee shop would depend highly upon what type of coffee shop it was. If you're thinking about something fairly upscale with a menu driven by espresso, then don't bother. If it's more a diner-esque type thing then you might be successful enough to keep the bills paid. The only businesses that do remotely well there are bait shops and the Dairy Diner. Not much of a native economy there and I don't think the local leadership has done a very bangup job of marketing the town for anything but retirement and pass through to the lake. They've never done anything to convince people to actually stop in town to spend money. I'm sure the town leaders would welcome ANY type of venture though.

[sbernard]

Stormcrow, you're right about welcoming any kind of new venture... A new coffee shop just went in, The Cove is a new restaurant that is under construction, and there's a dollar store going in as well. Pizza is out as there are four pizza joints there already.

We could use a gas station or C-Store.

A nice motel with some amenities would do well, 30 to 40 rooms would be fine to give people a place to stay while they're vacationing at the lake. The motels that are here are full all the time, but they're crap. Even a small resort with a dozen or so upscale log cabins would do well depending on location.

A boat dealership could do well, since now you could sell boats all year long on boattrader and ebay.

I know where there's a great small piece of land that WOULD work as a restaurant, overlooking the lake. People will boat into these places.

The housing business could be pretty good...rehabbing older homes, or building new ones. A lot of people are moving into town.

Boat storage DOWNTOWN might even be worth some thought, since the marina is full.

Just a few thoughts.

[sbernard]

Another thought...A very small commercial 'strip mall of sorts would work well. I know a dentist who would like to establish a practice here, as well as a hair salon. A metal building with a nice/cheap facade would provide a good low maintainance rental income and take very little time.

I'll shut up now.

[Stormcrow73]

Originally Posted by sbernard

Another thought...A very small commercial 'strip mall of sorts would work well. I know a dentist who would like to establish a practice here, as well as a hair salon. A metal building with a nice/cheap facade would provide a good low maintainance rental income and take very little time.

I'll shut up now.

WOW! sounds like Diamond City has done a LOT since I was last there! Very cool!

[prutowski]

My grandfather passed away and willed me a parcel at the Greenbriar Subdivision in Diamond Hill that he purchased in the 70's. Where exactly is Greenbriar in Diamond Hill? I have checked the map and could not pinpoint where it is in Diamond Hill. I am a resident of Austin and have yet to visit Diamond Hill. My tax records (yes, I have been paying taxes on this parcel for the last few years) does not show a specific address. Anyone can help me out? Thanks.... Paul

[LoveAR]

Hi Paul,

You can call the Boone County courthouse and they will have a plat map of Greenbriar subdivision recorded. I'm sure that they can fax or mail you a copy of this map. If not let me know and I'll send you a copy of mine. GW