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Old 08-09-2009, 06:07 PM
 
37 posts, read 85,398 times
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Hello,

I am looking to relocate to Tennessee and start a speciality pet food store (raw food, grain free food, etc) in conjunction with dog training (agility and obedience).

Spent two days up there this past weekend but am more confused than ever on what parts of town are best.

Originally wanted to move to the Crossville area, but don't feel it would support the type of business I want to do.

Additional problem/ concern is that I have two horses, so I need a place where I can buy at least 5 acres with an existing house. I do NOT want to be in a HOA.

Can anyone give me any advice?
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Old 08-09-2009, 07:26 PM
 
Location: Seymour TN
2,124 posts, read 6,822,889 times
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West Knoxville is where the money is. My personal opinion is to open it in Sevierville; there are no big or good pet food stores there. However you'd probably have more business in Knoxville. I don't know about Maryville... sorry am not much help.
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Old 08-09-2009, 07:35 PM
 
Location: The Conterminous United States
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I think that the west Knoxville area is saturated with pet food and training places.
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Old 08-09-2009, 07:38 PM
 
37 posts, read 85,398 times
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Thanks for the reply. I don't really like the Sevierville area, too touristy. Coming from Charleston, South Carolina, which is also touristy and I'm wanting to get away from that a bit.

I want to stay within 40 minutes or so of Harriman as the AKC Agility trials are held there, but don't want to live in Roane County due to the ash spill.

I know I sound picky, and I am not. Just not familiar with the area enough to know if I'll be making a good choice.

Also, my mother (senior, with heart disease) lives with me and I want/need access to good doctors. She had valve replacement and is doing really well, but I would still like access to the doctors for her.

So basically I'm looking for at least 5 acres with an existing home in good shape, where I can keep my horses on my property, no HOA or restrictions, and live near enough to an area that would support a store, hopefully within 40 minutes or so of Harriman. I'm looking at houses between 150,000 to 300,000 range.
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Old 08-09-2009, 07:39 PM
 
37 posts, read 85,398 times
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Just wanted to added, we did have lunch in Oak Ridge and liked that area, and Clinton seemed okay as well, but we stayed pretty much on the highway (I believe it was 62? but may be confused as I drove a LOT over the weekend) so don't really know the interior areas of those towns.
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Old 08-09-2009, 07:42 PM
 
37 posts, read 85,398 times
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hiknapster, I did notice a lot of dog food/pet places but didn't see any that were carrying RAW foods and such. Don't believe there are many agility trainers in the area, but again am not sure. I train and show Agility and AKC Obedience, so I do more dog performance sports rather than family pet / good manners training.

Wondering what areas may be good for such a business if not the West side of Knoxville.

Would Crossville be a good fit? Or too rural/remote?

Last edited by 3tailswaggin; 08-09-2009 at 07:55 PM..
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Old 08-09-2009, 09:13 PM
 
Location: America, Inc.
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What about Maryville?
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Old 08-10-2009, 06:05 AM
 
37 posts, read 85,398 times
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I dunno? Is that a good area. I am not set on Knoxville, just looking for a place that will support what I hope to do. Is Maryville a decent sized area?
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Old 08-10-2009, 06:21 AM
 
Location: Knoxville
4,704 posts, read 25,301,161 times
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You might want to talk to the people that attend the AKC agility trials in Harriman and see if there is enough interest from them to support your business. That sounds like it's your target market, so polling them might be a good place to start.

Why 40 minutes from Harriman? Do they have these trials frequently? Harriman seems like such a narrow demographic that it might be too far for someone in West Knoxville to travel to get dog food, or training.
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Old 08-10-2009, 01:11 PM
 
37 posts, read 85,398 times
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Harriman has six trials a year. Murfreesboro has them too, but I didn't want to be that far west in the state.

Agility tends to grow once you start to establish clients. I've gotten a lot of folks in Charleston hooked on the sport. It's very addictive.

I'd like to be closer to Harriman just because of drive time to some trials. Where I currently live it's over two hours to any trials (with the exceptions of our local show).

I believe most folks will drive a good distance to a trial, and for training/practice. At least that's how it is in my area.

Maybe I'm being too hopeful??
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