I want to open a baby store - best areas?

[Anonymous]

Takoma Park. Silver Spring.

[Anonymous]

It really depends on how big a selection you plan to have, how wide an audience you want to have and how big you plan it.

If you are planning for a small boutique type store, you'll probably do well in any of the urban, walkable areas that have been suggested here. For more upscale, you'd probably want a more upscale area perhaps like Dupont, Circle or upper NW areas. If you want larger (say the size of a suburban drug store), then you'll want to aim for the closer in suburbs, maybe an Alexandria or Bethesda/CC. If you want a larger store with a bigger selection, then you'll definitely want to go out to the suburbs outside the beltway. A big issue for you is the rent on the place and how to attract your client base. While you are likely to find a lot of parents in whatever locale you choose (the entire region is pretty dense with families), you need to consider whether you are attracting only the locals or locals plus people coming from further away. Inside the district you are going to be a more localized store. There are fewer people who are going to be traveling from outside your area to come specifically for your store and goods if you are somewhere like Capitol Hill or Georgetown. If you are happy with the local clientele and staying smaller and specialized those are good areas to focus on. If you would like to have a wider audience and attract people from further away, you want to have a larger store and larger selection of both high quality and good value. For that, you'll need a bigger store (and the rent for a bigger store inside the district would be expensive), more dedicated and free parking (when attracting clientele from a wider region, they will predominantly be driving) and for those things, you'll need to move out towards the inner suburbs or the near outer suburbs.

So, really, you have to have a better idea of not only your product but your business model and your targeted goals for this business. If you haven't given thought to your business model, then you really should do so. If you aren't familiar with this, then you need to find a consultant to help you with the business end of things. Too many good businesses fail because of exactly this, people have a good idea and put a lot of sweat equity in, but they really don't do a business analysis of how to focus a business and set it up to succeed.

[Anonymous]

OP again- THANK YOU so much! Very helpful and thoughtful comments from many of you! I think I have a good idea of what comes next...

[jindc]

Anonymous wrote:DuPont/logan. Tons of families and we have to drive to the suburbs, Cap Hill or Georgetown for any kids stuff. I get way more than I want at the Children's Place in Columbia Heghts just because its convenient.

Agree. I live in Logan and holy crap...everyone is pregnant or has a young baby in an expensive stroller. Or maybe I just notice is now that I'm pregnant? However, I think this area is ripe for many young families AND people who needs gifts for baby showers. I would try to find in that area....but also the area lacks services. So maybe you could partner up with services and provide classes? Like a combination of a store and a community spot for new moms like Nest in Philadelphia? Take a walk one Sunday around 14th and P and you might be lucky not to have your toes run over by an Uppababy. It's pretty insane. The prenatal yoga class at Tranquil Space is PACKED every time it's offered. I would say between Dupont and Logan would be pretty great for the market.

Capitol Hill, too....but unless you want to compete with Dawn Price, it seems like less foot traffic in the more "popular" areas. But that would be my second pick if I were considering something like this.

This could also be something you crowd source to Prince of Petworth (Popville.com)