Setting up a retail store.

[Wilvin]

This might be the wrong place to put this but was not sure were to put it. I was wondering if anyone has tried or opened a brick and mortar retail store? I think this would be a great thing to start. I don't mean like a mall kiosk, but some place like a tobacco shop. Maybe sell starter kits and parts and juice. I am not sure what state laws would be about doing this? But I think it would be a great way to educate smokers and others about the product. I don't think it would effect websites too much. Any way has anyone tried this or think it is a good idea?

 

[MtnLioness]

Excellent idea. I have The Vapor Lounge here in Spokane, WA. There's another e-cig place here,too, but I didn't like them. Especially compared to The Vapor Lounge---pure class, excellent customer service, and tons of juices, eCigs, and hardware. Have a look.

 

[Lisa B]

I know FreedomSmokeUSA just opened one in Arizona and Volcano E-Cigs has one in Hawaii.

 

[foggy1]

If you want to open a branch office in the San Francisco area, I'd be happy to work there
Competing with online prices might be hard out of a brick & mortar site w/ overhead costs, good luck.

 

[Wilvin]

LOL Well I would not mind living in SF, but right now too expensive for my budget. I live in the Minneapolis/St Paul area and I think it would take off here, Minneapolis more so. Plus with the extremely bitter cold winters, not having to go outside to smoke would be a big selling point. I know the bars here were selling I think the disposable ones for a long time when the smoking ban went into effect. I think even if the prices were a bit higher then online it would sell. I know it is strange but there are still a lot of people not online(I know at least 20), plus a lot of people don't want to wait for shipping. Any way if I had a store I would still let customers know about online places, mainly for different flavors of juice. I worked at a place that we let customers know if a competitor had something that we did not. They really liked that and would come back to us for other things since we were helpful.

 

[David Bruno]

I've started up several stores. The one I have now sells new houses. People come in, pick a floor plan. We draw up the plans and build it. A design center if you will. I also owned a Hunting and Fishing sports shop years ago. OVERHEAD today cost a fortune. In order to make a vape shop go, you would have to have a years worth of expenses covered. Rent/ or mortgage, store deco, inventory, salary,and most important, ADVERTISING costs. Its hard to make it if the money drops from the register into the bank and out to cover a week at a time of bills. 95% of stores operating without proper capital, FAIL in the first or second year. That said, if you could have several business plans under one roof or a extremely large population base, some working capital. You might be able to make it. It is hard out there in today's economy. You really need to do your homework. Vape juice and supplies aren't BIG ticket items. You would need to sell a heck of a lot of merchandise. Now lets say you combine it with a Coffee shop. Thats what I mean by two business plans. Internet stores have it easier because of the overhead for real estate. Also keep in mind that the building you have it in must meet STRICT codes, be insured proper and be designed to make people want to spend time and money there. I can see endless opportunities here. If you have a nice chunk of start up funds.
Dave

 

[MtnLioness]

Open a bar/vapor lounge! Vapor-friendly bar would be huge!

 

[Brewlady]

Back in August I bought my 901 from a store that had just opened in my town, but after finding this forum, I haven't been back, they don't sell custom juices, and the kits are priced to pay their overhead. I get that, and have sent a few smokers there to get started with good success, but also have told them about this forum and U.S. juice suppliers/manufacturers. I do plan on taking a trip up to Vermont Vapor at some point, since they sell their own juice.

 

[Wilvin]

Well this is not something I would be doing right away. I was thinking the coffee shop/vaping store or bar/vaping store was they way I was going to go. I would say the coffee shop version would work better. A lot of bars here allow vaping, and even sell the disposable ecigs. Plus I am not much of a bar person, but love coffee. I would have to research this a lot but sounds interesting to me

 

[David Bruno]

You are also looking at a higher start up cost with a bar. Booze, insurance etc. I have a good buddy that owns a bar. He sells good food as well. The initial set up is very expensive plus there are quite a few problems that you take on with a bar. Coffee shop would be more pocket friendly and many less headaches.