had my meeting w/ the mall today.

CCTandME wrote: My chin hit the floor when he told me of all of the fees.
A cart by the food court is $2800/mo. $150 fee to the town prior to opening. $150 for 4 sign for your cart and they have to match all the other signs in the mall. You MUST buy them from the company they use. They can be done overnight. No temporary signs allowed. Insurance os $600-$2500. Now the killer. Holiday rent goes up to $25,000-$30,000 for 2 months. OUCH!!! You have to have 20-50% up front for holiday space. The mall is the 15th largest in the USA. Last year the holiday traffic was 20million. He was trying to get me to open up before the holiday season to see how it goes. It would be in the highest traffic area right by Build-A-Bear. Too bad I am lacking the 25-30 grand for holiday season. He said many people that come in just for the holidays make about $100,000-$150,000. Yeah, I wish!! He did give me a few catalogs for wholesale stuff.
Do you think it would be worth trying it for 1 month in July/ August? This mall has exits from 3 major highways in NY. August it gets busy because of horse track in Saratoga Springs. I just don't know. So much to think about.

Alice replied: Could you talk to some of the current vendors and see what they say??

Would you have to pay extra for advertising, or would the traffic be enough??

Is there really that much volume there in the winter?? Maybe it's because we go upstate for vacation, but I always think of that area as a summer destination (we'll be up there in August.) Maybe this year you could open from Memorial Day through Labor Day, then re-consider the rest???

OK, enough random thoughts. Good luck!!

TANNER'S MOM replied: I think you should TRY in the price range you can handle. I think July would be good. I know this sounds silly but when it gets hot here, we all (except me ) head to the MALL to beat the heat..might get some traffic then.

I think you have some great potential. And I really hope it goes some where for you. Have you tried Craft Fairs..they are really big in this area...I know I am rural so not sure the advice is good for your area!

Mel

Kaitlin'smom replied: well I guess if you feel you can at least make the cost back then it worth the try but if you feel you might loose money then I woudl really think about it.

CCTandME replied:
The mall is Crossgates Mall. It gets mobbed all the time. No, wouldn't have to pay for any extra advertising. I would consider doing a website though and stamping the site inside the pic frames. Or maybe have some sort of flyer there. They actually have to shuttle people into the mall from off site parking lots. It gets so insane there. I think I could make money, but I doubt I could come up w/ $6,000-$15,000 for the holiday season.

Do you come up for the race track? I can't wait until it opens. My girls love to go see the horses.

CCTandME replied:
I think I will try craft fairs 1st. A little more affordable.
The mall is where I use to got to cool off. Not w/ 3 kids though.
I really do want to try. Guess I have alot to think about and figure financially.

gr33n3y3z replied: I agree with craft shows
bc this way you can keep up to the demand
They have a huge one near me in the summer I will send you a message

mammag replied: Have you thought of an online store? Perhaps an Ebay storefront?

CCTandME replied:
I tried ebay. I got some bids, but even if you don't sell, you have to pay their fees. I can't afford to pay them even if I don't sell. Not at this point anyway. Plus, they have a few others who do similar stuff that are more established members.

CCTandME replied: The guy I spoke to gave me many suggestions. How much do these piggy banks go for? Anybody know? There are many different designs to choose from.

CCTandME replied: These are other suggestions he made.

CCTandME replied: more

CCTandME replied: There are tons of different designs for the bears to be personalized. Occupation, romance, fammily, holiday, etc.

Alice replied:
No, we go up to Lake George for a week. Peter has a cousin in the Saratoga neighborhood- he used to work at the track- and we try to get a day in to visit them.

My kids are still too young for the track-- Kira is into everthing and it would be impossible to watch her!!

CCTandME replied:
My BF is from Lake George area. Actually just a few miles north of it. Lake George doesn't get as busy as it use to. The track is tough w/ little little ones. We will bring the older 2 this year, but leave our youngest w/ my mom. You can do breakfast there before the track opens and watch the horses workout.