What would you like to see in Madison? (purchase, organic)

[twtexas2008]

My husband and I relocated to the HSV area last year and are considering opening a business in the Madison area. We are considering two concepts and we are wondering what people want. Any feedback would be appreciated!

We are considering a wine bar/coffee bar concept - upscale. Also, we are looking at putting a health food store in this area. Two totally different concepts I agree.....but health food is still my first love! Not much in this area to choose from.

Thanks in advance for your input!

[June-KW]

Both options sound great, to me. Mom/family-speaking, however, a Health Food store would be lovely

[ScranBarre]

I don't live in the area, but I just wanted to wish you the best of luck in whatever endeavor you finally decide upon! I've always wanted to open an organics/health food store in Downtown Scranton, PA myself someday. If marketed appropriately you can attract a very broad clientele to your establishment, and then if you keep a strong commitment to customer service, you'll retain that loyal customer base. Don't forget the nice personal little "touches" that help to go the extra mile in making people feel appreciated for choosing your business either. For example, there was a gourmet dog bakery in Downtown Scranton, PA that I used to frequent, and the cashier would always tie up my bag's handles with a nice ribbon and some other decorations. I really liked that. The business did fold around the beginning of the year (the prices were simply too high for the area to sustain), but as a customer I loved little personal touches like that. That dog bakery also had "Yappy Hours" every Thursday from 5 PM-7 PM in which people could bring their pampered pooches in for free biscuits while their owners mingled.

If you go the health store route be sure to diversify yourselves with similar offerings for your customers. For example there is an organics food store near me that I love that also has all sorts of healthy living seminars, yoga classes, etc. If you decide to open a store like this it would be nice to hire a dietitian to offer classes to customers in order to "brainwash" (encourage) them into eating ONLY organic/natural foods so that in the long-run this investment will pay for itself when those customers come back time after time to purchase ALL of their groceries. Holistic wellness, yoga, etc. instruction are nice touches as well.

Best of luck from one future entrepreneur to another!

[flstatenolefan]

We are moving to the area and I understand that there is not anything similiar to Trader Joe's there, so I would welcome a health food store.

[dbkeel1]

True health food stores are somewhat limited in this market so that might be a fit. Certainly GNC isn't one... I'd think the wine/coffee bar idea would need to be located in the right place to be successful. A location like Bridge Street would be an obvious asset but wherever you'd go there would need to be more than your business for night life and activity. I owned a pub in Marietta, GA and learned that unless you pick the right location and are serious about dress codes and standards, it can be easy to attract patrons that aren't necessarily good for your long-term business. Good luck with your decision! You'd be welcome either way!