Thinking about opening a retail storefront...

[Paul Huryk]

This is something we are seriously thinking about at CTW Motorsports, moving from our warehouse location to a more retail oriented one in a location with more car traffic and much more exposure.

That being said, we are looking into renting a retail location with a warehouse, detailing bay, and showroom to carry detailing products and performance parts. With a retail location, we can open up wholesale performance parts distributors to carry lines we can't get right now.

I'd like everyone's input on this - no matter how crazy. With the dwindling number of performance shops in NJ, I don't want to leave any rock unturned before making any sort of decision. Would be a 2015 move at this point.



Paul

[ThoR294]

come over to ftown yo (flemington) lol

[Paul Huryk]

come over to ftown yo (flemington) lol

I'll just rent one of the empty outlet store spaces on 202 or wherever... lol

[NJ Torque]

PM sent.

[WildBillyT]

come over to ftown yo (flemington) lol

:bertstare::bertstare::bertstare:

I like Paul, and I'd like to see the business SUCCEED.

[ThoR294]

:bertstare::bertstare::bertstare:

I like Paul, and I'd like to see the business SUCCEED.

:nick::nick::nick: he'll be fine there are plenty of open places he can go :P

[Blackbirdws6]

With the right business plan, it can certainly work. I would recommend offering some on-site services you know you can knock out of the park. Sounds like it could be a good place to host a meet as well.....:)

[1320B4U]

^ I agree....simple installation onsite for things like cold air intakes/exhaust would help for the non do-it-yourself'ers. Maybe if the parking lot allows, cruise in's/small shows would be cool too to get your name out/advertising. The only performance place by me is overpriced but they do have a good selection of things on hand and can usually get parts in a day or 2.

...and a cool shop car out front always gets the business in.

[Paul Huryk]

Thanks for all the input guys...

We will definitely have an install bay or two - I already have done Magnaflow installs here in this shop without a lift, not to mention my own cars.

In terms of detailing supplies, I have 80% of what would be in a retail store already here now, just need display shelving and some visuals.

Performance parts are another are that scares me inventory-wise, for good reason (cost and space). If you go into a typical performance shop (spencers or Roadrunners as examples), they carry every AN fitting, gasket, and whatever else - taking up a lot of space and carrying cost.

I was thinking more of having displays with an item on the wall and maybe the absolutely most popular parts in stock - don't need to be overloaded. My main distributor only takes a day to get parts if they are in stock locally. Obviously certain things we will need to have in stock all the time.

[sweetbmxrider]

What about an ipad or the like with a virtual catalog etc. Maybe a display monitor cycling through various aspects of the business. Be it before/after detailing shots, parts on their own, or installed on customer cars. Tint and stereos will get most kids in the door too.

[zraffz]

I'm not sure if you do or do not have a lift but i can tell you I will never again lay on the ground to do anything.
Online site similar to summit (I only use summit because it's a way more user friendly search than jegs). If you are looking for better deals on cheaper nitrous kits I'd suggest dynotune (I am not advertising for them) it's free for legitimate companies to become vendors and I can let you log on my account if you'd like to see what you can save.

We thought about opening a speed shop close to our repair shop but the demand doesn't exist in this area.

[Paul Huryk]

I don't have a lift at this location - landlord's contract forbids it, but at any location I can have then, there will be at least one lift. I get by on tall race ramps - although they won't work for everything...

Price of course is a factor in the products we do/will sell. I don't carry every product by Griot's and Chemical Guys - some don't work and others are not going to sell based on price or bang for the buck.

The problem these days is that "normal or old school" performance shops don't make sense - probably enough in the NJ area right now. I'm looking to do a shop that is 1/2 detailing products and 1/2 performance parts, more like something you would see in Cali or someplace more progressive on that side.



I'm not sure if you do or do not have a lift but i can tell you I will never again lay on the ground to do anything.
Online site similar to summit (I only use summit because it's a way more user friendly search than jegs). If you are looking for better deals on cheaper nitrous kits I'd suggest dynotune (I am not advertising for them) it's free for legitimate companies to become vendors and I can let you log on my account if you'd like to see what you can save.

We thought about opening a speed shop close to our repair shop but the demand doesn't exist in this area.

[ThoR294]

flemingtonnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn!!!! ill stop by every week hahaha

[LTb1ow]

Gonna tackle doing tint jobs as well?

[ar0ck]

There aren't many performance shops here on the Left coast anymore. A lot of the shops I have seen are big dollar custom everything shops.

Even the mom & pops shops in Paterson are long gone, it would be nice to go somewhere a little more personal than Pep Boys/Autozone.

[NJSPEEDER]

The challenge will be competing with the online resources for price. I know around Trenton we lost all the real speed shops because they felt they should charge more (a lot more) for the privilege of buying from a retail location instead of online. If the difference is nominal or just paying the sales I doubt anyone will really complain. It's when owners get the attitude that it isn't worth the effort if they aren't fully funding their retirement on one set of header gaskets that things fall apart.

-Tim

[Featherburner]

The challenge will be competing with the online resources for price. I know around Trenton we lost all the real speed shops because they felt they should charge more (a lot more) for the privilege of buying from a retail location instead of online. If the difference is nominal or just paying the sales I doubt anyone will really complain. It's when owners get the attitude that it isn't worth the effort if they aren't fully funding their retirement on one set of header gaskets that things fall apart.

-TimWhat shops are you talking about?

[NJSPEEDER]

Trenton Speed, Myers II in Ewing (Turned into rim/radio shop), C&M's lame attempt at a speed shop, Flemington, whatever the one on 206 in Bordentown was.............Other's that I can't remember right now.

-Tim

[Featherburner]

You are probably too young to remember but Benny from Trenton Speed Shop was completely reasonable on prices and really helpful to his regular customers. On more than one occasion he had looked up parts for me and more than one part number was listed. Huh, which on do you choose? And, more than likely the one you choose will be the wrong one for the application. Benny's solution, "I'll give you both and you bring back the wrong one, then we'll settle up". He would let you leave with both parts WITHOUT paying for either! Well worth the couple extra bucks he had to charge to keep the doors open and satisfy NJ state tax. Do you think the online stores would do that for you?

Edit: the one on 206 in Bordentown was Ben Pilla. The one in Flemington was PCA Performance Centers of America.

[NJSPEEDER]

As a younger guy I noticed Benny was cool with me if I walked in with certain people. If I happened to saunter in with anyone from the generation just prior to mine I was treated like a favorite son, if I was by myself he would greet me by name then act like I crapped in his fruit loops.

I actually know where the neon sign from Trenton Speed Shop is, Jon Bonasera(sp?) that used to have the back halved 64 Nova has it. Before he moved out of Ewing 7 or 8 years ago it still worked perfect :)

-Tim

[Featherburner]

That Benny always was a good judge of character.:lol: It doesn't surprise me in the least that John ended up with that sign. His car was always in front of the speed shop. He probably paid for the sign 10 times over with all his purchases.

[WildBillyT]

You are probably too young to remember but Benny from Trenton Speed Shop was completely reasonable on prices and really helpful to his regular customers. On more than one occasion he had looked up parts for me and more than one part number was listed. Huh, which on do you choose? And, more than likely the one you choose will be the wrong one for the application. Benny's solution, "I'll give you both and you bring back the wrong one, then we'll settle up". He would let you leave with both parts WITHOUT paying for either! Well worth the couple extra bucks he had to charge to keep the doors open and satisfy NJ state tax. Do you think the online stores would do that for you?

Edit: the one on 206 in Bordentown was Ben Pilla. The one in Flemington was PCA Performance Centers of America.

Unlimited in Flemington is still around.

[Paul Huryk]

In 1988, when I got my license, PCA and Mothers were the places to go to in north NJ, PCA was a dump and folded in the early 90's, Mother's in Lodi lasted until 1998 or something like that. Then the wheel places on rt 46 expanded and started carrying some performance parts for imports, I ordered from Summit or direct usually.

Now the only places I know of are Spencer's in Belleville, Roadrunners in Avenel, and one or two other ones. A few shops do work and sell parts, others are wheel centric and sell parts too.

Sign of the times...

[LTb1ow]

You can't compete with Jegs/Summit thats for sure, but, it is really nice to have a local place to just pay for the convenience if you need a part right away.

[zraffz]

You can't compete with Jegs/Summit thats for sure, but, it is really nice to have a local place to just pay for the convenience if you need a part right away.

Their is truth to that but I know quiet a few companies (even as a repair shop) that don't cut better deals for large placed bulk orders or items purchased on a annual basis. It's very possible to price match or beat summit on a lot of products and still leave you room to make a nice profit... But then their are companies like weld racing were my price is what summit sells parts for.
The trick is to email all the companies and explain you are a business that would like to sell their products and see who takes the time to email you back; we ended up with some cool stuff just for showing interest in doing business with them.

[IROCZman15]

sounds like a great idea Paul, I know that from now on I'll be buying all my detailing supplies through you as I use up the stash I bought this spring.

[Jersey Mike]

That Gritty Girl you gave Anthony is the shet! Still haven't gotten around to the Sonax yet, but if your shop was in the North Jersey area, I'd be hard pressed to not spontaneously drop in for impulse buys :lol:

[Paul Huryk]

That Gritty Girl you gave Anthony is the shet! Still haven't gotten around to the Sonax yet, but if your shop was in the North Jersey area, I'd be hard pressed to not spontaneously drop in for impulse buys :lol:

Gritty Girl is awesome, not a big seller, but excellent.

It's not too far to central NJ - a little ride won't kill you...

[V]

that reminds me, I need a container of gritty girl too, that free sample was awesome.

[qwikz28]

I'm in North Jersey also, but if you opened a storefront even in Central, I would swing by on occasion to stock up. Let me know if you need any help, I know a few realtors in that area and can provide some legal help if needed.

I actually would suggest having an on site detailer instead of installations. It's hard to compete with the big guys, but since you sell a lot of cleaning products, the full details are going to be a good way to push and advertise the products. Everyone loves a clean car, and with kids these days favoring looks over speed, it might be a good way to make additional money. My detailer rents his space for free, but offers the landlord a reduced detail rate in exchange (used car dealer, so about 2 a day).

[Paul Huryk]

that reminds me, I need a container of gritty girl too, that free sample was awesome.

Let me know about the next meet you are going to be at - I'll bring some...

[WayFast84]

If I were in your situation I wouldn't rent anything. I would rent and save/look for a commercially zoned place with a nice size store on the bottom, an apartment on top and a garage out back. The rent from the apartment would cover the taxes and you won't be paying anyone else rent and if for some reason business isn't as booming you can rent the store front and still have the garage for some storage, parts or installs.

[Paul Huryk]

I'm not buying anything - never know if I will need to move to a different location, smaller or larger space, or if I might move part of the business into my house or something like that. Too many variables...



If I were in your situation I wouldn't rent anything. I would rent and save/look for a commercially zoned place with a nice size store on the bottom, an apartment on top and a garage out back. The rent from the apartment would cover the taxes and you won't be paying anyone else rent and if for some reason business isn't as booming you can rent the store front and still have the garage for some storage, parts or installs.

[elle]

Inventory will be your best friend and worst enemy. If you don't have it people won't use you. Too much and it can bury you. Anyone can order something and have it in a day or tow. Telling customers that you can order it is like the kiss of death. Unless you start doing installation or some sort of labor to add to the retail part of your business you prob won't generate enough income to cover your overhead. It sounds like you are doing o.k. at this time. Getting bigger or spending more requires much more income to cover those increased expenses. If or when you decide to move, location will be HUGE! Good luck, seems like you carry some great products.

[edpontiac91]

Having the ability to do Window Tint is OK, but there are a lot of shops doing this. I would subcontract this work on having a really good installer come to your shop by appointment only. This way there is no overhead. You can get P.O.P from the companies that make it and sell the job with the installer knowing what tint is needed and the car it is going on. The same goes for Dent Removal.

Look for companies to send you display materials if you sell their stuff:nod:. Try to coax as much FREE samples if your just trying to fill in empty space. Don't forget that your paying rent for floor space and every unused foot is costing you money that could have something to sell in its place. Even having air fresheners or key fobs next to the register is a way of picking up extra $$$.

[BigAls87Z28]

I know of a certain "cheerful" auto parts company looking to close up shop real soon in Hillsborough.

Do you really feel a retail storefront would be a good idea?

[Paul Huryk]

Inventory will be your best friend and worst enemy. If you don't have it people won't use you. Too much and it can bury you. Anyone can order something and have it in a day or tow. Telling customers that you can order it is like the kiss of death. Unless you start doing installation or some sort of labor to add to the retail part of your business you prob won't generate enough income to cover your overhead. It sounds like you are doing o.k. at this time. Getting bigger or spending more requires much more income to cover those increased expenses. If or when you decide to move, location will be HUGE! Good luck, seems like you carry some great products.

Inventory is the great equalizer - too much and you need a huge space and have capital tied up, too little and people go elsewhere. Knee deep in trying to figure out a smart way of doing this - no solution so far.

Install is not a problem - will have the space, equipment, and manpower to do installs of most items.

Location is key!

[Paul Huryk]

Having the ability to do Window Tint is OK, but there are a lot of shops doing this. I would subcontract this work on having a really good installer come to your shop by appointment only. This way there is no overhead. You can get P.O.P from the companies that make it and sell the job with the installer knowing what tint is needed and the car it is going on. The same goes for Dent Removal.

Look for companies to send you display materials if you sell their stuff:nod:. Try to coax as much FREE samples if your just trying to fill in empty space. Don't forget that your paying rent for floor space and every unused foot is costing you money that could have something to sell in its place. Even having air fresheners or key fobs next to the register is a way of picking up extra $$$.

Ed, you bring up excellent points.

Actually I do have a local guy that tints windows and will do work for us as needed. Same for clear bras. Haven't found anyone for dent removal, but need to look into it.

I can get some good display/marketing materials, but my location right now doesn't require it - although I do have 6 or 8 wall banners hanging up in the garage right now.

The product mix would be 60% detailing supplies - chemical guys, griot's garage... 40% performance parts such as Magnaflow, K&N, and other brands. Probably some LED lighting kits, the wheels I make/carry, and some other accessories that you won't see in too many stores.

[Paul Huryk]

I know of a certain "cheerful" auto parts company looking to close up shop real soon in Hillsborough.

Do you really feel a retail storefront would be a good idea?

If it is the place I'm guessing, they have been on the way out for a very long time. Went there about a year ago - just to look. Everything on the shelves looked ancient and was sun bleached, even though the storefront faces north. Was essentially a timewarp...

[BigAls87Z28]

If it is the place I'm guessing, they have been on the way out for a very long time. Went there about a year ago - just to look. Everything on the shelves looked ancient and was sun bleached, even though the storefront faces north. Was essentially a timewarp...

Yeah, I went there the other day. Despite that, they are still a hell of a competitor. At least for a little while longer.