Brick and mortar advice

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pinupvintage

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Newbie here. I'm looking to open a vintage clothing store next year (brick and mortar) and am having trouble finding information on selling/marketing trends regarding vintage clothing (info regarding demographics, where the industry is going, etc). It's the only thing missing from my business plan, and lenders don't really care about personal observations as much as the hard numbers. So if someone could point me in the right direction, I'll love you forever.

Also, if this post needs to be moved to a more appropriate section, I understand.
 
It's been my experience that lenders simply don't think vintage IS a business (after 40 yrs I call mine 'The Avalon Art Project).

The only people I've seen obtain financing had antique malls...with every space pre-rented.

And at least one sort-of-vintage store that gets government grants for recycling, neighborhood enhancement, and god knows what all...
 
I know the data you are looking for, and it will be hard to find. You may have to search in other towns similar to yours to ask dealers there for some data, and this may involve travelling quite a bit, as no one in your competition zone is going to help you out. Are there any towns you know of with the same basic population, college-aged kids, attractions, similar shopping zones to what you are looking at, and are there any viable vintage shops there?

I know it sucks to hear this, but if you are going to go full force on vintage as your sole income, you should have a pretty sizable nest egg to live off of for about a year. Yes, the business may pay for itself, pay its own rent and utilities, but will there be enough left to keep you in Top Ramen, rent and other necessities?
If you can start with a small shop, with reasonable rent, maybe utilities paid, it might be worth it. Perhaps you can search for a partner who does antiques, to have a larger shop that is a bit more diversified?

One thing you may need to track is your ebay sales for the year. If your shop will be both B&M and web based, those stats will be important.

I'd love to have a little storefront...but then I don't like people touching my stuff! :hysterical:

Maybe some more of our B&M sellers will come along and give some advice.
 
If your after stat on your own town /City then you might have to work out it yourself, the direction to look in is with school books on geography and sociology,
Here in the UK I often see school kids in the high street with pencil and paper and that's what they study, why certain shop there, who shopping in them and how the high street developed where it is, etc.
You will not get the answer any question directly but point you in the right direction for working it out.
Sociology will tell you a lot also about income and behave of people .
Have Fun,
 
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