i dig it! is that you guys?
cc
you gotta be careful what people think you are selling though... i see these pics and think...wow... the place has an amazing outside space with wooden arch...it also has gorgeous walls and fancy ballroom style carpet... etc ...etc....etc...
if they show up and you have a spruced up rec center room...they may be none too pleased...
im sure you will have real photos once the renovation is wrapped...but if you get any takers early on...id be super forthcoming with them
cc
Total agreement. I just grabbed some portfolio shots. Will sub in location images as we get them, assuming I can hammer out a lease agreement on Monday
Now, as for the venue being lower-end, again, time will tell the story. If this thing pops then you can bet I'll be shopping for an upgraded space.
I'd have to agree. I'm already planning on standard deductions. $250 off for your own DJ (still trying to decide if I'm going to even allow this), $500 off for your own photographer, $1000 off if you supply the food, etc.
Mistake #1. If this thing pops, open a second space.
You do know that any other venue would charge more for BYO vendors, right? Outside vendors don't care about your place. Outside DJs will need more time to set up and break down. Outside caterers will clog up your sinks, leave all of their trash and leave you to scrub the kitchen down yourself. Will your insurer or board of health even allow off-premises food to be served in your hall? I don't see the advantage of deducting $250 for someone who wants to bring their own DJ...it's almost a way of telling your customer you don't want to do that job in the first place, and that your value as a DJ is just $250.
There's a ton of variables that I don't think you're considering. Also, what happens when the landlord sees the success of your venue and wants a bigger piece of the pie? You talk about venues that are always building to make things bigger and better, but I bet you they own their buildings and parking lots.
Do you like the mobile part of this job?
You do know that any other venue would charge more for BYO vendors, right?
Now as for the owner wanting a bigger piece of the pie, I expect that. However, keep in mind that he's giving me this space at about half price, in order to get me to do his upgrades. I'm going to ask for a 24-month lease and want a stipulation that caps increases to 5%-10% per renewal with option to renew (my option). I'll know in 6 months if this thing is going to fly. If it does as well as I expect then I should be in a good cash position to move, in the event he gets greedy. This really is a good deal for him as well. He's got an old building that needs some love and it fits my particular needs. I see it as a win-win.
Thanks for the pics Chris, that's really cool what you guys did with that space. Yes, I'm already thinking along the razzle-dazzle lines. While there's no much I can do about the outside, I can make the inside pop. First order of biz is acid-staining the concrete with a glazed finish. I'm thinking to perm-install several of the tri-beam uplights and supplement with single-beam lights. I'm also planning to use large glass vases with glass stones and put them onto uplight pedestals. Basically a huge visual lighted centerpiece on each table that matches the same colors going against the walls. For ambient, I'm going to hang Italian string lighting throughout. My gut tells me that you're exactly correct. They pull onto the lot and initial reaction is "Ugh" but as soon as they walk thru the door you watch those heads tilt back and the eyes go wide. That's the moment you know you've got them hooked and no way they're walking out without booking. At least that's the hope.
If you don't mind me asking, why do you feel the puppet thing didn't work, long term?
They pull onto the lot and initial reaction is "Ugh" but as soon as they walk thru the door you watch those heads tilt back and the eyes go wide.
So what does this place actually look like? I tried finding it using the map that's on your website but it's set for a general area, not the exact location. I doubt you're on the same main road as the Taco Bell and Walmart.
Yep, right on the main road going thru town. 901 West Main Street, Hendersonville, TN. The space I'm looking at is on the lower level, right-side of the building. I'm starting with 2k sq feet and have option to bump it up to 3200 sq feet (the entire downstairs).