Business suggestion in Lowell (Boston, Arlington: houses, taxes, living)

[meltinjohn]

Down the road maybe in the next 10 yrs I will look to start a business in Lowell or maybe look at some towns around Boston like Woburn or Arlington but Lowell is really where Id like to put this business.
The idea of it is a coffee and exotic donut place. It would have many kinds of donuts and weird ones you ma folks never even tried in your life and some of you may not want to and then others would give them a chance also. Im thinking of donut ideas such as maple bar and bacon donuts, cocoa pebbles with chocolate covering flavored donuts, cookies and creme flavored ones, and different styles of coffee.
My intention here would be to create a PAC NW kind of coffee house since a business out there inspired me to come up with this.
This place now is not a coffee house but it totally specializes in these weird donuts. If anyone has any suggestions, what towns would this do good in? Id like to say Allston or Arlington maybe but I got a feeling this would do good in Lowell with the right people in 10 yrs or so.
I got a little story to tell you as to why Id even consider Lowell and not some totally funky well known hub to put it in like Brooklyn or wherever else. When I was young, I always thought Lowell lacked a lot of things. I knew deep down Lowell was a nice city but the gangs ruined it and the downtown had shops that catered to the rap culture some but then again, I seen potential at the same time ntm Jack Kerouac comes from there so..
I kinda complained about how the center had nothing so my idea to put this kind of business in Lowell means that I have intentions to make it the city that it should be and the artsy people could be brought out some more than they have been. I think they've been discreetly around town waiting for the chance to own the city again and this could be what it needs. Thoughts?

[BGF]

There are 4 coffee houses just around the corner of Market and Palmer. There are a few more on Merrimack and down Dutton. Are you depending on local foot traffic, or are you thinking of making your store into a regional tourist attraction so that people who come for the ball games and the hockey games would visit? I think you'll have more traction with that latter idea because downtown Lowell still needs more foot traffic.

[smarty]

Food and Restaurant business is the most competitive business. As you mention, many factors are preventing people from going in there.

Do your homework... or you'll be like 90+% of small business... FAIL in the first year!

[lrfox]

I agree with the others... a little homework can go a long way. Other than that, this state needs more people with a spirit like you. Good luck!

[meltinjohn]

Originally Posted by smarty

Food and Restaurant business is the most competitive business. As you mention, many factors are preventing people from going in there.

Do your homework... or you'll be like 90+% of small business... FAIL in the first year!

I hear the taxes is one of them. Name me some of the factors that plague many MA cities from getting these kinds of businesses.

Originally Posted by lrfox

I agree with the others... a little homework can go a long way. Other than that, this state needs more people with a spirit like you. Good luck!

Well IMHO I never knew Lowell in my time of living as being the kinda place who would want this kinda thing, but I do believe there is an element of it (small) that might be interested. It may work closer to Boston tho since Lowell is a bit further and wont attract the Boston crowds.
Arlington might be better for it crowdwise.
Do you know anyone who would give a very weird donut shop business with unheard of flavors?

[lrfox]

Originally Posted by meltinjohn

Well IMHO I never knew Lowell in my time of living as being the kinda place who would want this kinda thing, but I do believe there is an element of it (small) that might be interested. It may work closer to Boston tho since Lowell is a bit further and wont attract the Boston crowds.
Arlington might be better for it crowdwise.
Do you know anyone who would give a very weird donut shop business with unheard of flavors?

I think it can thrive just about anywhere. It's a doughnut shop, not a mega upscale shopping mall. The key is doing it properly. You need a successful business model and a product that will sell to a target demographic (in the case of doughnuts, just about everyone is the target demographic). In a city like Lowell (one on a "rebound" and fighting for businesses), there should be MANY ways to get the word out there that your opening. If you're product is good enough, Lowell is small enough for word to travel quickly.

If your doughnuts are good (and just about ANYTHING beats Dunkin Donuts) and your prices reasonable, you'll be successful. I would certainly try your product and if it was good, I'd be back again.

Create a product that will sell, advertise, and provide good customer service. Also make sure your location is good and you're WELL MARKED... (too many business fail because no one can find them).

I think that with the right precautions, this could be very successful. We don't have "West Coast" (specifically PacNW) doughnuts here. I remember a little shop in Portland OR that was wonderful and some of the flavors were SO weird. If you open a shop like this, I'd swing by on my way home from Maine for sure. In fact, given Lowell's location and the number of commuters that pass through and use Lowell as a way to get to Boston (via rail), you could find yourself quite a niche if the product is unique enough.