Need info about Goodland, Kansas (Colby, Oakley: estate, homes, lease)

[mackandsophia]

My husband and I are thinking about purchasing a restaurant in Goodland, Kansas. We just want to know the good and bad aspects of moving there as well as running a business there. Any info would be great!!

[Dan Cunningham]

Originally Posted by mackandsophia

My husband and I are thinking about purchasing a restaurant in Goodland, Kansas. We just want to know the good and bad aspects of moving there as well as running a business there. Any info would be great!!

Well, this is probably too late but I stopped in Goodland in May and I had a nice chat with someone at the Chamber of Commerce. She was the wife of one of the doctors. The town appeared friendly and was trying to develop more opportunities for its artists.

The lady I chatted with had moved from a town a few miles to the west in Colorado and she seemed personally more pleased with Goodland because it was a larger community.

I do not note that several homes seem to be up for sale right now in Goodland.

It is on the freeway, so you would get some business from the highway.

Dan

[Maxxer]

Why Goodland??? You would do considerably better if you could get into a business in Colby, just 40-50 miles east of Goodland on the I70. But, Goodland is also on I70, and a small, quiet town. It has declined in population over the past 20 years, or so. To me, it is just a dirty, struggling, little town, with truely, very little to offer. There have been some good places in Goodland to eat, but Goodland just doesn't have much draw for people. Are you looking to serve locals mostly, or locate on the interstate and try to get that business? If you are on the intestate, it may be better, because Goodland is the last chance to get gas, food, or anything, for a very long time, if you are headed west towards Denver. So, guess opportunities could be found there. I would contact the Chamber of Commerce, and ask them to send you stats on commerce there.

[Plains10]

Goodland is a town that is really struggling. They have lost large numbers of jobs and people just in the last few years. Both population and non-farm employment have decreased over 10% between the years 2000-2005 according to the Census Bureau.

[Gretchen B]

Originally Posted by Plains10

Goodland is a town that is really struggling. They have lost large numbers of jobs and people just in the last few years. Both population and non-farm employment have decreased over 10% between the years 2000-2005 according to the Census Bureau.

I grew up in Goodland and my folks still live there, so I'm curious about the decrease in population and employment. What jobs have been lost in the area?

I do know that the Main Street businesses were really hurt when the "Super W" came to town. It's pretty tough for Mom & Pop stores to compete.

As far as opening a good restaurant in Goodland - I say "Go for it!" Goodland has always needed a really good place to eat.

[Plains10]

I am not that familiar with the town, but have driven through the town several times since it is right on I-70. I do not know what businesses have been lost that are non-farm related.
Here is the latest statistics on Goodland:
Sherman County QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau

[KevK]

Goodland is a rather odd place. It is in Kansas but it really considers itself part of Colorado in many aspects. It is on Denver time (Mountain) and it is the only Kansas town that is served by the Denver TV market. But is probably economically struggling like most towns in NW Kansas are. Most of the young people are long gone and many of those left are elderly folks living in Social Security. But on the other hand I guess they don't call it Good Land for no reason!

[piggydiva]

Originally Posted by KevK

it is the only Kansas town that is served by the Denver TV market.

This isn't the case. Colby, Oakley, Hoxie, Atwood, Gem, Brewster, Levant and other western Kansas towns also receive the NBC affiliate in Denver.

I know this is probably way too late, but I would say either Goodland or Colby would be a great place to open a new restaurant/have a restaurant come under new management. Both are off of I-70 and either would draw not only from highway and local traffic, but from surrounding communities. Oakley and Atwood (Hoxie, Gem, Brewster, and other small towns) residents often come to Colby for dinner. When a town only has a few restaurants, any new restaurant will receive a lot of traffic not only from locals, but from nearby towns. The restaurant market isn't saturated, so any new endeavor would be sure to make a lot of money!

Mexican food restaurants seem to do very well (for some reason). Cafes with a broad range of food also seem to do very well. Niche markets (like specialty coffee shops) don't do as well.