I’m looking for some feedback. I get questioned all the time about what kind of business will work in Charleston, WV. Potential clients often know they want to go into business for themselves but have no idea what type of business will survive in the Charleston area. As consumers, what do you think Charleston needs? How’s the night life? Are there enough family friendly activities? Is there a trendy new style of restaurant that you’ve seen elsewhere and think would work here? Basically, I just want to know, “What’s missing?”
I’ll share my opinions first, as I usually do. I hate to copy another city’s existing business ideas, but my mother used to say that “imitation is the best form of flattery.” About six years ago, a friend strongly recommended a controversial film to me. This film was only shown in bigger cities or for limited viewing at small theatres, so if I wanted to see it the closest location for me was Cincinnati, Ohio. The film was playing at the Esquire Theatre in Ludlow Village, a small but very modern theatre. I planned a day trip with my sister and off we went. I had planned to see the first showing of the day so I could get back on the road, but as usual I was late. We had some time to kill, so we started shopping at the business on the streets near the theatre. It seemed each business had its own little cultural niche. The Esquire Theatre showed foreign films, documentaries, and controversial films. Across the street there was an African heritage gift shop called Kilimanjaro. Beside the theatre there was a string of cafes: Mediterranean, Thai, Indian, Toko Foods, etc. This 2-3 block stretch was packed with a diversity of business (art stores, a poetry café, a wine shop, a jazz and swing club, custom jewelry/silver, designer and many culturally-specific gift shops). Needless to say I spent the whole day there in that small community within a large city. I would like to see Charleston create a similar little cluster of independently-owned small businesses that gives the consumer multiple choices of activities in one area. Just a note: Ludlow Village has poor parking and is comprised of mostly older buildings, so Charleston would be a great city to replicate that environment.
I look forward to hearing your ideas,
Jules
Program Coordinator, Opening Soon Inc.
© 2007 The Gus R. Douglass Land-Grant Institute for ACEOP - Design by Dream Catcher Creative
Visitor
Jun 2, 2009
1:50 pm
Next, how about a real gym.
Next, how about a real gym. I keep hearing that this is becoming an obese state but there are absolutely NO gyms here. YMCA can't do everything.
chris
Apr 2, 2008
11:59 am
how about
there is a nice gym right on capital street.... 2nd block up from the BLVD... cant remember its name but my wife goes there...
but on topic...
more places to eat that are not national chains... take Jimmy John's for example... the person who opened this chain sandwich shop in the exact same spot that a samdwich shop that was 99% the same was in for a couple of years before it... how about opening something with a local flair to it instead of opening a sandwich shop thats just like every other one right in the same spot that one just failed?
southern cooking/home cooking... there are no mid-level set down southern cooking places in the city proper... farm table in south charleston is the only one i know of and its fell off quite a bit recently in food quality
the city needs more downtown living space... if you want an APT. downtown its next to impossible to find one...
its quite obvious that there is a very large need for advertising help for small business in the area as well since very few of them do it well....
TED MUILENBURG
Mar 8, 2008
10:18 am
TOURISM
THERE ARE LOTS OF GOOD GYMS AND MORE COMING-
TOURISM IS IN ITS INFANCY- FOCUS ON RIVER VENUES- MARINAS, RESTAURANTS- AS THE CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAUS INCREASE BUSINESS AND ARE MORE COMPETITIVE IN ATTRACTING CONVENTIONS AND ASSOCIATION SEMINARS SUPPORT OR SATTELITE BUSINESSES WILL DEVELOP- USE OF ATVS RENTALS ETC COULD BE DONE TO USE THE HATFIELD AND MCCOY TRAIL- COULD BE A POST OR PRE CONFERENCE ADVENTURE TRIP FOR FAMILY OR CORPORATE GROUP- BUNDLING OR PUTTING TOGETHER A DAY TRIP TO EXHIBITION COAL MINEM HAWKS NEST AND THE NEW RIVER GORGE BRIDGE COMPLETE WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO HIKE A TRAIL COULD BE DONE - THIS WOULD BE A SMALL BUSINESS BUT COULD BE PROFITABLE-
FAMILY DAY OR HALF DAY TRIPS- ICE SKATING, CHUCK E CHEESE- AND OTHER OUTINGS TO SOUTH RIDGE- SWIMMING - ALL COULD BE DONE FOR CHILDREN OF FAMILY MEMBERS WHO ARE BUSY AT CONVENTIONS IN CHARLESTON AND WOULD PROBABLY BE MORE APPEALING THAN SITTING IN A HOTEL-
THERE ARE ALSO HISTORICAL AREAS IN CHARLESTON THAT MIGH BE OF INTEREST TO SOME-
RESOURCES ARE HERE THEY NEED TO BE PROMOTED- I WAS PLEASE TO LEARN FROM A FOREING VISITOR ABOUT SEVERAL HISTORICAL SITES AND A TREE LINED STREET THAT HAS ALL THE TREES TAGGED- HE BORROWED MY BIKE AND EXPLORED CHARLESTON ON HIS OWN- BIKE RENTALS AS WELL AS CYCLE RENTALS WOULD BE ANOTHER POSSIBLITY-
THE STATE COULD OFFER MORE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, IDEA GENERATION AND EVEN TAX INCENTIVE FOR SMALLER ENTREPRENEURS-
Chris
Jan 16, 2008
11:18 pm
WHAT MAY WORK
Hello there, well speaking from someone who has only been in this state for a few years, I think that there are a lot of things that could help.
First of all, not only is the transportation a mess and not really efficient, neither is your state aid. If the state workers here actually were willing to help people rather than make you jump through hoops only to say no, most people would actually make more of an effort to stay here rather than move on after one of your major plants or larger office areas close. If the politicians here concentrated more on helping rather than padding their own pockets, they may actually get things done. Stop fighting amongst yourselves and work together. You also need to let people know what programs are being offered and when. IF YOU TELL THEM, THEY WILL COME!! Stop hoarding your information and actually let people know that there are courses offered for little or no cost. Hello, this is a poorer state and people are actually willing to take these courses if they know about them.
Next, how about a real gym. I keep hearing that this is becoming an obese state but there are absolutely NO gyms here. YMCA can't do everything.
I really like the idea of a cultural area. In fact, I am from New York and was just thinking how much I miss places like China Town, Greenwich Village and Little Italy. Not only do these places offer a variety of foods but they also offer a chance to get to know other cutures. There really is not much diversity in this area. I also agree with the idea of offering more for young people up to aged 18. Let's face it, they don't really have much to do other than get into either trouble or drugs. There are only so many after school activities for them. And what about the weekends?
While I understand that in many ways, this is becoming a retirement state, if you don't at least try to cater to the young people, you won't have anyone here to retire or to take care of the ones that are retiring.
Chad
Jan 17, 2008
12:07 pm
research
This is not a bash simple an observation. There are gyms in the following places and most are free. Ruffner Ave. East End Comm Ctr, Kanawha City, Dunbar Rec, North Charleston Rec, Charleston Rec, and even some school have open gyms in addition to some community based organizations. Furthermore there are Asian, Indian, Eastern, and Soul Food shops & grocery stores in the Charleston area. In closing I didn't reply because I disagree with you. However I would like people to at least experience what is available in the Capitol before they say there is nothing in the Capitol.
Visitor
Mar 8, 2008
7:59 pm
Finding Information about Charleston
Where are these Asian and Indian food stores located? I have only been in Charleston for 8 months. One of the frustrating things I am finding is the lack of a good source of information. I'm sure that there are a lot of interesting things to do and places to shop in Charleston, but how does a visitor or a newcomer find out about them? Regarding gyms, I know about the "Y" and Nautilus, but how does someone find out about schools that offer open gyms to the community?
And what about that Capitol? Is it open to the public? Are there any other interesting buildings worth visiting in the capital.
Perhaps one business idea would be for a company to build a thorough website that keeps current and puts all of that good information about Charleston in one easy-to-navigate place.
Michael
Jan 16, 2008
2:59 pm
WHAT WILL WORK.
Well the first thing that come to mind is charleston needs better tranportation system so that the people can get around in the city. The Second thing i think they need here is more things for the teenagers to do like a rollerinks,that way you get the whole family out together and spending money together. One business idea i think that would work is checking cashing offices,{not the payday loads office because i think that they are a rip off.}but a check cashing office where low income people that dont have bank accounts can go to cash their checks. All the big citys have them and they do great. And one more thing a caribbean cafe or restaurant. These are just some things that i know would work if someone just did it or had the funding to do it. I have seen them in too many other states and know they work.
From a man that lived in NYC,FLA,GA,NJ and now living in WV
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