Grow Store ???

[Greenlife1]

Hey All,

I am opening a new hydro store in IL. I wanted to get some feed back from you all on your thoughts on location.
I have a store already, but would be able to move locations if needed. I am right on a main drag in a city of 200,000 or so.
My question is would anybody be hesitant to buy at my location because all of the traffic in the area.
Pick up of product would be in back so that would make it more inconspicuous.


I know how people get kinda paranoid buying big stuff...well at least out here by me since there is no medical.

All your thoughts, and comments would be very appreciated.

 

[compost]

I am not sure how many hydro stores there are in IL but I am pretty sure if I wasn't a med patient I wouldn't be letting people know I currently own a hydro store and plan on opening a new one in a city of 200,000. You could bring alot of heat on people so tread carefuly. I would also suggest removing any posts on your account about growing.

 

[Wise]

Yes, I do not visit the hydro store on the main road for obvious reasons. There is one tucked away in a business district that I feel comfortable with.

 

[real ting]

I think people who run these types of stores get too comfortable with what they are doing, and don't realize how their customers feel about security issues. Discretion is by far the most important trait of a hydro store, followed by cleanliness and knowledge, then prices and product availability.

If you can't move locations then I hope your parking lot is inconspicuous. Last thing anyone wants is to be recognized entering or exiting the hydro store. If it's a high traffic area put up posters or blinds on the window, so that they are blocked.

Like the guy above said, it is much better to have a spot that is not on a main strip or downtown area. You won't get as much drive by customers, so maintain a good website and make sure you can find the store by typing in "(your city here, state) hydroponics", or "(your city here) garden store" on all of the major search engines.

Honestly I would question why you are mentioning this on this site when you say you aren't in a med state, I wouldn't want to go to a store that associated itself with a site like this in any way.

 

[HighDesertJoe]

Hell I live in Calif and I feel a little uncomfortable going into my local Nursery just to buy a bag of Perlite or Home Depot cause I'm thinking people are looking in my cart knowing what I'm up to.

Kinda like the walk of shame as you leave the Dirty Book Store

Well maybe I'm a little Paranoid.

GOOD LUCK TO YOU

 

[OVERMAN]

urban hydro?

 

[Aeroguerilla]

good money in garden supplies. and if you think about it when someones grow gets raided and they lose all there shit you know there coming back for more

 

[Pipe Dream]

I never had a problem it's like buying a condom but than again I don't buy very much stuff anyways. Not illegal to buy potting soil.

 

[Zen Master]

I dont live in a nazi state (cali) and my only concern about going to grow shops is if they've got good quality merch at good prices, dont gouge me on the stuff I need to come back for all the time like nutrients and I'm a happy camper.


I go to different local shops at least once a month and I dont trip at all. I mean if I saw some cop car parked across the street I might wait another day, but other than that its all gravy.

 

[KGB]

Hey All,

I am opening a new hydro store in IL. I wanted to get some feed back from you all on your thoughts on location.
I have a store already, but would be able to move locations if needed. I am right on a main drag in a city of 200,000 or so.
My question is would anybody be hesitant to buy at my location because all of the traffic in the area.
Pick up of product would be in back so that would make it more inconspicuous.


I know how people get kinda paranoid buying big stuff...well at least out here by me since there is no medical.

All your thoughts, and comments would be very appreciated.

I've had two locations one in a busy strip mall on the Blvd and one tucked away in commercial. The commercial spot was the shit people were a lot happier going there than the spot on the blvd. Bigger place which I didn't need but they could call me up and pull their car or truck right in, cheaper rent too. Now I do delivery or appointment only no shop for the public = no shop for the cops to watch they don't even know there is a hydro shop where I am now. I pulled my biggest clients and had them go there. I don't have to stock a bunch of bullshit I only have to stock what they use, it works out great for every one. I don't even have to be open but most of the time I'm working on shit there anyway internet sales or building hydro setups or chillin with some buds what ever. Plus I don't deal with the newb that doesn't want to listen to what works and goes straight for the biggest light, AN and forgets about climate control all together leaves and either comes back 3 months later for help or goes somewhere else and bad mouths you cause you sold them the wrong shit LOL. I was a newb once I still am in a lot of areas but I know what works and I get it done for the cheapest possible. Any one in Cali need bulk for cheep hit me up I'll be happy to help. If you are a admin or mod sorry for advertising how much for an ad lol

 

[OldPork]

The hydro store in my my town carries enough "legitimate" gardening supplies such as plants, decorative pots, bird feeders and baths, etc to not automatically assume all customers grow cannabis. Still I park next door and walk across a parking lot to enter...and I always buy with cash since I heard of one hydro store getting shut down and their sales records confiscated. However, I would say you will get more business being on the main drag due to visibility. That being said, IL is mid-western and to me mid-western means generally conservative. That means they may try to shut you down by watching YOU very closely. Careful friend, keep your business and pleasure separate and watch your back.

 

[idiit]

i live in a nazi state and the only surviving hydro store has one part- owner with total contempt for my security since "he's not doing anything illegal". i think he's too stupid to last long and no i didn't go back and won't. i really like the idea of carrying legit merchandise and thereby being able to be placed in a high traffic location. good for business and good for the customers. there's a huge back to organic movement going on so cater to the regular backyard gardener crowd as well. good for u, us and the entire community.

 

[Greenlife1]

Thanks for all the responses.
First I will not be growing while having the store.
Also we decided to go with a more industrial spot. Still close to main drag, but tucked away. Even though there is nothing illegal I would like people to feel relaxed about coming to the store. Also I the store is going to be more of a destination store...meaning there won't be really any walk by traffic even if I was right out in the open. So I am on my way.....

Hey KGB how long you owned a store, and where at if you don't mind me askin?

 

[hiker]

I'm uncomfortable when I pay in grow shops, even though I know I've been smoking longer than the employees in the store have been alive. Sucks to be paranoid, but sometimes it helps.

 

[supermanlives]

i have never felt paranoid. i have even waved at a cop as i was leaving.trying to hide your dealings makes it even more suspicious.if i was a cop- i would be watching the guys that did back door transactions over a guy that acts normal and just parks out front and walks right in.

 

[303hydro]

Do you already have an account with a major vendor? Have you discussed these things with them? One of the first things you should be doing is looking at vendors and competition, that is gonna effect your business the most imo.

 

[Greenlife1]

Yeah I already have the vendors, and I know all the stores(5) that are within 100 miles or so of our spot.

Also I will be carrying product that none of the other stores do. So I know that will help.

I agree about the back door thing.. But that will be used to load big product as it will be easier, to load as that is where it will be stored.

 

[Yes4Prop215]

yea the main street makes me kinda sketch. theres a really nice store right down my street buts its on main intersection. im always worried that my neighbors will see my car parked outside or something. even though they have a back loading area its still visible. so i only go there for special big purchases. i do most of my everyday shopping at another hydro store cross town that is in a small business park off the main roads..

 

[Greenlife1]

Just to let everyone know I have got my location. Thanks for the comments everyone.

Also heres the name of my store... Gardinside....what do you think

 

[powerrobbie]

It's a nice name but you may want to reconsider posting it here...It wouldn't be hard to identify you with that information.