Looking for Opinions on Concepts for New Store (Houston, Victoria: rent, day care)

[mikey713]

Just wondering if this concept will work in Houston and with this economy and fashion changes.

Would you guys think an Urban Casual attire clothing store would work here in Houston and with this economy? I was thinking like a mid-priced urban casual store. Think like a Houston based SouthPole or RocAWear but a little more casual than those brands. Heavy marketing as a Houston product. Will be priced less that those brands mentioned. Good quality.

Either that or a lingerie and handbag store for women. Also mid-priced and marketed as Houston luxury. Great quality.

Let me know if these concepts would work in Houston's current economy.

[mtgmike]

Im having a hard time seeing it being more casual than the brands you mention. Check out a K&G, I think you'll find that stuff at very low prices.

That being said, plenty of stores around selling that stuff. One or two in some of the struggling malls, probably several in Greenspoint, or the one off 59 South.

Lingerie and handbag would be a strange combo. Porn stores have the lingerie covered, and having lingerie would "cheapen" the place enough that you'd have a hard time selling anything nicer than Harwin quality bags.

For a good accessory/bag operation, check out Charming Charlie/Sam Moon.

If you truly can source the stuff dirt cheap, and could rent somewhere in a "depressed area" for next to nothing, it could do well. See Suitmart, as well.


***Edit***
If you want to sell clothes, stick with the ladies. I bet a urbanized XXI type store would absolutely clean house. Granted, you'd have to be able to source your inventory for next to NOTHING to compete with them.

You owe me a Rolex in ten years if you get rich. Nothing crazy, Ill take a oyster bracelet, blue face Date Just.

[mikey713]

K&G have national brands. Im marketing this as Houston brand. Plus K&G have the left overs from the malls. Not many stores are around selling original stuff. Greenspoint has those clothes that i HAVE found on nearly any urban store.

I was thinking of a Victoria Secret/Hermes combo type of store, not cheapo porn star stuff. I meant high quality bags and high quality lingeire, bras, undies. Charming Charlie is cheap.

[glorplaxy]

It would work but you wouldn't be rich and you would have to place this store in the right area. Stores like the one you want to create are common in some areas of lower-income neighborhoods and they seem to survive. But hey, you'd have a store and you'd be your own boss. Pretty cool.

Location is key, though. You can't place something like this in River Oaks or Montrose and expect it to thrive. Think of the demographic you are trying to appeal to with this store, look around for an area with a larger concentration of similar business, and then go and scout out the area. Good luck.

[mtgmike]

Sorry dude, upscale urban is almost an oxymoron(at least in Houston, this isn't Atlanta).

Charmin Charlie sells economical accessories...quite the biz to be in if you ask me. If you havent noticed, the economy isnt exactly booming.

[mikey713]

Yeah i know. bags are going to be from 35-120. heels from 40-120 on the lingerie/bag store

the urban store probably i would place near irvington and calvacade. I was thinking around that area because soon the rail is going to be near by. A lot of people walking around. Now the lingerie/bag store would be either in midtown or west university.

[Mayor_McCheese]

If you want to make some money, open a daycare. Almost everyone I know is looking for a good day care.

[modster]

Originally Posted by mikey713

Yeah i know. bags are going to be from 35-120. heels from 40-120 on the lingerie/bag store

the urban store probably i would place near irvington and calvacade. I was thinking around that area because soon the rail is going to be near by. A lot of people walking around. Now the lingerie/bag store would be either in midtown or west university.

I am not seeing that location. Drawing from Lindale Park? The people on the train on their way to Wal mart at Northline? I would like to be supportive but I am skeptical of the success.