What would do good?

What would do good in Wise County? It's always been a goal of mine, to open a successful business in this area. However, it's hard to do, based on how poorly most things end up doing, and that a majority of the things aren't franchised.
I had actually inquired about a Mellow Mushroom, got all the statistics, financial, and everything. It's just hard to sink that investment in, when most "sit-down" places, have turned to rubbish.

any suggestions on what would do good? or what you all would like to see here

Va or WVa?

I think a real sports bar would do well. Buy the UFC fights show them, buy NFL Sunday Ticket, buy College Football, put UVa-Wise on one tv since we stream games, etc.

You should start one of those companies that do studies about new schools/school consolidation. I know a place where you could get lots of work. They'll throw millions of dollars at you to do it and then just hire you to come back and do it again a year later.

Seems like folks around here are hooked on chain/national establishments.
Someone else has to start it somewhere else and make it successful before anyone will give it a second glance here (90% of the time)

Add to that, everyone wants everything for free. When the Poor Farm was still open I heard people complain and complain and complain about prices - and that wasn't an expensive place! One coworker actually said "I paid $1.75 for a bologna sandwich and chips - I can make it at home for cheaper than that!" <insert facepalm moment here>

you have a PM steer.

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Originally Posted by The_Sage

Va or WVa?

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Virginia...
I'm moving back to the area.

A job service. The fee charging , "we actually look for work for you , cause that is how we get paid" kind.

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Originally Posted by simple man

A job service. The fee charging , "we actually look for work for you , cause that is how we get paid" kind.

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That's called the Virginia Workforce.

This was a serious thread, too. Our family already has a self-established business in the area. It's done really, really well. So, we're looking to branch out and venture into something new.

I would appreciate it if someone would put a good bookstore around here instead of having to go to TN to get whatever I want or order it online. I am a very impatient person so I don't like to wait for it to be shipped. I know many avid readers around here including some family that would love to have a great bookstore local. Not to mention Walmart and Kmart selections suck!

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Originally Posted by steer

That's called the Virginia Workforce.

This was a serious thread, too. Our family already has a self-established business in the area. It's done really, really well. So, we're looking to branch out and venture into something new.

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I wasn't joking. The vec doesn't do much more than allow people to browse and post ads. The folks I'm talking about run a different stlye search, and charge for it, seems like I visited one in Kingsport a few yeras ago that got 25% of your first 6 months pay. Food joints really seem to come and go - Robo's and the Patio have been around about as long as anything.

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Originally Posted by cosmo99

I would appreciate it if someone would put a good bookstore around here instead of having to go to TN to get whatever I want or order it online. I am a very impatient person so I don't like to wait for it to be shipped. I know many avid readers around here including some family that would love to have a great bookstore local. Not to mention Walmart and Kmart selections suck!

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I wouldnt risk a book store these days. It might work to some degree, but with the rise of e-readers (and instant delivery of the books) the demand for paper books is slipping. I myself have a Nook - love it.

The bookstore is hard to do. Unless it's a major chain, because of those e-readers and the fact you can find a torrent of almost every book on the market.

A subcontractor to coal mines would do real well. They can't find enough workers. Something like Bate's Contracting. I've thought about it myself.

Yeah we do need a bookstore, but as was said, it would have to be a major chain. Wish we had that, a good BBQ spot and the YMCA. I know he's talking about things like that, but we desperately need a Y around here close.

Um a nice gentlemen's club is lacking in this part ;)

I would think a company installing solar panales With prices starting to drop someone who has the knowledge to both install and apply for the tax breaks could really cleanup

After a disappointing trip to Bristol this afternoon, I now know what Wise County needs. A quality pet supply store. Not a pet store, not a place that sells animals, and definitely not a place like the last pet store Wise Co. had (dont get me started on that one! lol).

I went to Bristol to go to Pet Partners to get my dogs some raw bones.
I have to go there because no grocery store or butcher in Wise Co. or the surrounding area has bones in their supplies anymore. Everything comes pre-butchered. Even Bob's Market had to order bones for me, and it took 3 months and cost me $8 a pound and they couldn't even cut them to size for me (I essentially had dachshunds chewing on beef leg bones as long as they were).

Anyhow, I get to Linden Square only to find out Pet Partners has closed that location (surprise!) and moved somewhere onto State Street Bristol TN. That would add 20 minutes to my drive and force me to pay TN state tax. They've lost my business. I followed them from Kingsport, to Bristol VA, and I'm not traveling even further to find them now.

Petsmart isn't a good substitute. They only sell 1-2 premium brands of dog food, they sell no raw, no feeze dried raw, no raw bones, etc.

There are a lot of "dog" people like me in the area, and we all travel out of area to get the supplies we need. Dog people spend $.

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Originally Posted by imported_elp6n

After a disappointing trip to Bristol this afternoon, I now know what Wise County needs. A quality pet supply store. Not a pet store, not a place that sells animals, and definitely not a place like the last pet store Wise Co. had (dont get me started on that one! lol).

I went to Bristol to go to Pet Partners to get my dogs some raw bones.
I have to go there because no grocery store or butcher in Wise Co. or the surrounding area has bones in their supplies anymore. Everything comes pre-butchered. Even Bob's Market had to order bones for me, and it took 3 months and cost me $8 a pound and they couldn't even cut them to size for me (I essentially had dachshunds chewing on beef leg bones as long as they were).

Anyhow, I get to Linden Square only to find out Pet Partners has closed that location (surprise!) and moved somewhere onto State Street Bristol TN. That would add 20 minutes to my drive and force me to pay TN state tax. They've lost my business. I followed them from Kingsport, to Bristol VA, and I'm not traveling even further to find them now.

Petsmart isn't a good substitute. They only sell 1-2 premium brands of dog food, they sell no raw, no feeze dried raw, no raw bones, etc.

There are a lot of "dog" people like me in the area, and we all travel out of area to get the supplies we need. Dog people spend $.

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100% agreed :2thumbsup:

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There are a lot of "dog" people like me in the area, and we all travel out of area to get the supplies we need. Dog people spend $.

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True, but there aren't enough dog/pet people in this area to sustain a store like that. Especially when you look at the fact that you would have to put it in the WM shopping center to give the best chance at success and the rent for that size building there is outrageous. I say it would have to be there because people will drive from Pound, Jenkins, Whitesburg, PV, SP, Castlewood wherever to go to WalMart but they won't drive on downtown to go to the Pet Partners, "it's too far out of their way."


There also isn't the population or demand to open a bookstore either. WM and KM selection sucks because the demand isn't there to merit putting a lot into them.

I can see the desire to have a true sports bar but the problem is the amount of overhead means it has to bbe packed at least 6 nights a week and not just the weekends. This was discussed before a couple years ago when Poor Farm was built and I think it was tried, or halfass tried in that location. The big argument is you have all these kids at the college that would keep it busy, the thing is all those kids at the college don't have any money to spend. Yeah they will come and hang out and drink a few beers and watch the sporting events free but just because the place is full and all the customers love it selling appetizers and 50 cases of beer a week won't even pay the cable/satellite bill.


What a lot of people don't realize when they try/want to open a business is that it's not just about making enough to keep the business open and make a profit but you have to do it while also making enough to pay your own bills at home. Like mortgage/rent, power, water, phone, car payments/insurance etc. That is why you see a lot of places not last long the people that open them are used to a weekly paycheck and being able to pay all this stuff and open the business and all of a sudden all these bills are at least double. You need to know that just because it is a business the phone bill is nearly twice the cost for the same service you have at home, and it's the same with most everything else as well.

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I know he's talking about things like that, but we desperately need a Y around here close.

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You do know that a YMCA is a christian association that is meant to teach christian principles and not just a "free" gym??? Yes they are open to anyone but the guiding force behind them makes it a place that I would expect you to be pushing to have them all shut down.

What do you know? You're just a successful small business owner. ;)

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Originally Posted by TheBeast

True, but there aren't enough dog/pet people in this area to sustain a store like that. Especially when you look at the fact that you would have to put it in the WM shopping center to give the best chance at success and the rent for that size building there is outrageous. I say it would have to be there because people will drive from Pound, Jenkins, Whitesburg, PV, SP, Castlewood wherever to go to WalMart but they won't drive on downtown to go to the Pet Partners, "it's too far out of their way."


There also isn't the population or demand to open a bookstore either. WM and KM selection sucks because the demand isn't there to merit putting a lot into them.

I can see the desire to have a true sports bar but the problem is the amount of overhead means it has to bbe packed at least 6 nights a week and not just the weekends. This was discussed before a couple years ago when Poor Farm was built and I think it was tried, or halfass tried in that location. The big argument is you have all these kids at the college that would keep it busy, the thing is all those kids at the college don't have any money to spend. Yeah they will come and hang out and drink a few beers and watch the sporting events free but just because the place is full and all the customers love it selling appetizers and 50 cases of beer a week won't even pay the cable/satellite bill.


What a lot of people don't realize when they try/want to open a business is that it's not just about making enough to keep the business open and make a profit but you have to do it while also making enough to pay your own bills at home. Like mortgage/rent, power, water, phone, car payments/insurance etc. That is why you see a lot of places not last long the people that open them are used to a weekly paycheck and being able to pay all this stuff and open the business and all of a sudden all these bills are at least double. You need to know that just because it is a business the phone bill is nearly twice the cost for the same service you have at home, and it's the same with most everything else as well.







You do know that a YMCA is a christian association that is meant to teach christian principles and not just a "free" gym??? Yes they are open to anyone but the guiding force behind them makes it a place that I would expect you to be pushing to have them all shut down.

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It's the problem that dad and I discuss at every single option we've came up with. It almost has to be a corporately owned business brought in. People want this and that.
GNC has been brought up numerous times, but you couldn't make enough with it, to pay the rent at the new Wal-Mart and anywhere else, it's not going to do good.

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What do you know? You're just a successful small business owner

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You're right, please disregard previous post.

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It's the problem that dad and I discuss at every single option we've came up with. It almost has to be a corporately owned business brought in. People want this and that.
GNC has been brought up numerous times, but you couldn't make enough with it, to pay the rent at the new Wal-Mart and anywhere else, it's not going to do good.

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I have never seen that many people in a GNC in a metro area, I really don't think that would work at all in Wise County. Other than some sort of fast food or other big name franchise, (which if you have been checking you have to have a net worth of a million plus just to get consideration). Your best bet is to have some type of specialty to offer that you can't get just anywhere and not rely on the general public for the majority of your sales, something where you have other business' or institutions buying on a regular basis.

itll be very tough to start a new business if you dont have enough savings to not cut yourself a check for a while. beast said it best, people seem to forget that when you open a business it has to pay the bills at home too.

i dont see a bookstore doing very well (libraries are everywhere + the internet), pet stores would take a lot of overhead to put in a decent location and then im not sure enough people would be willing to spend a lot of money to keep it open (chew toys and dog collars do not leave any profit margin)
a sports bar would have to be in the perfect location and honestly be the best bar in the world to make money in wise co.

a business with the least amount of overhead has the best chance to succeed IMO.
my dad and I have looked into several different options, from everything from striping parking lots and cleaning coal trucks, but its very hard to make money around here. you are more likely to make money offering a service than relying on retail sales.

how many sporting good stores are in Wise/Norton?
Big Stone has one that does pretty well, but I think a nice sporting goods/hunting/fishing store would do well in that area. a place that sells all sorts of outdoors stuff, works on rifles and such, etc...

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a place that sells all sorts of outdoors stuff, works on rifles and such, etc...

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This is one thing I had thought about myself, it would have to be something like a mini BassPro or Cabellas store. And even at that you are going to need a good size store because of the amount of inventory you will have to have. I know myself I don't buy a gun without looking at it would be the same with any other hunting/fishing equipment. Then you have to consider there are two gun shops in Coeburn and you have Colgard in Norton that are well established. One of the largest growing markets over the last decade has been in the fishing industry. The only problem here is proximity to the lakes where people fish and your customer's will be going to Cherokee, Douglas, Boone, South Holston etc. and would just as oon stop at any number of small shops near the lakes or if going toward Cherokee/Douglas will just drive another 20 minutes to BassPro.

It's really a shame that Starbucks can't be franchised. That is the one place, I would franchise and open up. It would do well without any question. Yes, coffee shops have come and gone, but people of Wise County see that national chain name, and it's sold.

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Originally Posted by steer

It's really a shame that Starbucks can't be franchised. That is the one place, I would franchise and open up. It would do well without any question. Yes, coffee shops have come and gone, but people of Wise County see that national chain name, and it's sold.

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That is till they taste that slop, of course they would pay $8 a cup for it and just love it so they could strut around holding their Starbucks cup making sure everyone see's it.

Starbucks franchises to Target .

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Originally Posted by TheBeast

This is one thing I had thought about myself, it would have to be something like a mini BassPro or Cabellas store. And even at that you are going to need a good size store because of the amount of inventory you will have to have. I know myself I don't buy a gun without looking at it would be the same with any other hunting/fishing equipment. Then you have to consider there are two gun shops in Coeburn and you have Colgard in Norton that are well established. One of the largest growing markets over the last decade has been in the fishing industry. The only problem here is proximity to the lakes where people fish and your customer's will be going to Cherokee, Douglas, Boone, South Holston etc. and would just as oon stop at any number of small shops near the lakes or if going toward Cherokee/Douglas will just drive another 20 minutes to BassPro.

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thats a good point, the biggest spots for fishing are miles away. I didnt realize there two gun shops in Coeburn, I thought it was just the one in town and the Colgard in Norton.
but a big shop that repairs rifles and fishing equipment (including outboard motors and such), sells both fishing and hunting equipment (and other outdoors stuff, paintball stuff, camping equipment, etc...) may do well. If I was going to pursue it, it would include taxidermy and mounting stuff, where people can bring their kills to have them stuffed. maybe even a very small rifle range in the back, where people can test out rifles and handguns before purchasing.

i know lures and tents dont have much profit margin, but rifles (especially if you are willing to buy rifles from customers and resell them) and other guns can leave a pretty fat margin.

EDIT-and I think Starbucks is nasty as well, no way would I drink that disgusting stuff. But Beast is right, it would do well here because people would buy the coffee to show off the cup.

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Originally Posted by Biggin

thats a good point, the biggest spots for fishing are miles away. I didnt realize there two gun shops in Coeburn, I thought it was just the one in town and the Colgard in Norton.
but a big shop that repairs rifles and fishing equipment (including outboard motors and such), sells both fishing and hunting equipment (and other outdoors stuff, paintball stuff, camping equipment, etc...) may do well. If I was going to pursue it, it would include taxidermy and mounting stuff, where people can bring their kills to have them stuffed. maybe even a very small rifle range in the back, where people can test out rifles and handguns before purchasing.

i know lures and tents dont have much profit margin, but rifles (especially if you are willing to buy rifles from customers and resell them) and other guns can leave a pretty fat margin.

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It's not that they don't have a good margin (you can nearly double your money on them) it's just that your only doubling $4. I agree with everything except the outboard motors, that's an item to sell and service you need to be close enough to get them on the water to test correctly. You are also looking at a extremely big ticket item at $15-25,000 per.

I didnt think about that, itd be tough to test the outboard motor in a bathtub lol

but yeah that was my point I just worded it wrong, the margin is good but you arent making any money if you are only netting 1-2 dollars an item.

but a place that buys and sells used/new firearms and repairs them, same with fishing supplies and outdoors equipment, might do well in the right location with the right services offered and business model.

i really think taxidermy would be a big addition to a store like that, many people love to have things stuffed and from what ive researched its not a very expensive service to offer. It takes time and skill, but you can make good money on it.

whats the profit margin on something like a tree stand or a blind? those items like that could also really add to the bottom line, especially in this area. A lot of people use tree stands, blinds not as much but since hunting is so popular here, a place that could take care of all your hunting/fishing needs may succeed.

It wont make anybody a millionaire IMO, but a good solid living

We tested our super old outboard in a 55 gallon drum years ago when we were trying to make sure it would still run before putting it in the river.

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Originally Posted by TheBeast

You do know that a YMCA is a christian association that is meant to teach christian principles and not just a "free" gym??? Yes they are open to anyone but the guiding force behind them makes it a place that I would expect you to be pushing to have them all shut down.

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And you do know this isn't the 1800's YMCA right? Its not pushed on anyone and isn't really even a big part of anything, not even close. There's a reason its been shortened down to the 'Y' in advertising, there's no pandering to christians or just males either. Nice one though, figured you'd be defending the sanctity of Coeburns field though. Lmao I don't give a **** about anything unless its against the law with religious freedom, I'd use the Y like I'd buy something from a church bake sale or something, not any farfetched protesting like you're grasping at trying to start an argument.

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Originally Posted by Biggin

I didnt think about that, itd be tough to test the outboard motor in a bathtub lol

but yeah that was my point I just worded it wrong, the margin is good but you arent making any money if you are only netting 1-2 dollars an item.

but a place that buys and sells used/new firearms and repairs them, same with fishing supplies and outdoors equipment, might do well in the right location with the right services offered and business model.

i really think taxidermy would be a big addition to a store like that, many people love to have things stuffed and from what ive researched its not a very expensive service to offer. It takes time and skill, but you can make good money on it.

whats the profit margin on something like a tree stand or a blind? those items like that could also really add to the bottom line, especially in this area. A lot of people use tree stands, blinds not as much but since hunting is so popular here, a place that could take care of all your hunting/fishing needs may succeed.

It wont make anybody a millionaire IMO, but a good solid living

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shorty does pick up and delivery for a taxidermist down at big bore, he also sells everything that has been mentioned and does basic work on rifles, sets up the bows he sells.

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Originally Posted by Rocky

shorty does pick up and delivery for a taxidermist down at big bore, he also sells everything that has been mentioned and does basic work on rifles, sets up the bows he sells.

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I agree with Biggin I do believe in the right location, which would be in the WM shopping center or around Advance Auto, the type of store he is talking about would/should do well. The two gun shops in Coeburn do offer repair service and Beverly's sell's and services bows as well but an all inclusive place in that location would/should do well and pull customers from these others. It would a good bit of capital to get started and established especially since you will need a very good staff of workers that are already very knowledgeable and skilled in doing the work. We're not talking minimum wage cashier's all these are skill people that already have good jobs that allow them to do know this stuff as a hobby now, and would have to have a salary equal to what they make now or could make elsewhere. I have put enough thought into this that I already know most of the people I would try and hire to work there.

I think something like a ben and jerrys would do well around here.

Starbucks may suck with some of their basic coffee's, however, they are 1 of the few who actually offer different flavor hot chocolates and specialty drinks.

and yes, people would buy it just to show their cup, but who cares as long as they're paying and making money for the business.

and back to an earlier post, they don't franchise out, they just allow Target, and other areas, like airports, etc, to buy a "license" to sell it.

Pretty much the same thing Steer maybe just the wording I used calling it a franchise . Target buys the merchandise , staffs the store and pays a percentage of the sales to Starbucks . They also use only Starbucks equipment

"A franchise always includes a license of the brand and operating methods, along with assistance (training, an operations manual, etc.) or support (providing advice, quality control, inspections, etc.). "

Ever heard of Colgard's in Norton??? Top notch place, a bit pricey, but great selection!!

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Originally Posted by Biggin

itll be very tough to start a new business if you dont have enough savings to not cut yourself a check for a while. beast said it best, people seem to forget that when you open a business it has to pay the bills at home too.

i dont see a bookstore doing very well (libraries are everywhere + the internet), pet stores would take a lot of overhead to put in a decent location and then im not sure enough people would be willing to spend a lot of money to keep it open (chew toys and dog collars do not leave any profit margin)
a sports bar would have to be in the perfect location and honestly be the best bar in the world to make money in wise co.

a business with the least amount of overhead has the best chance to succeed IMO.
my dad and I have looked into several different options, from everything from striping parking lots and cleaning coal trucks, but its very hard to make money around here. you are more likely to make money offering a service than relying on retail sales.

how many sporting good stores are in Wise/Norton?
Big Stone has one that does pretty well, but I think a nice sporting goods/hunting/fishing store would do well in that area. a place that sells all sorts of outdoors stuff, works on rifles and such, etc...

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Originally Posted by imported_elp6n

After a disappointing trip to Bristol this afternoon, I now know what Wise County needs. A quality pet supply store. Not a pet store, not a place that sells animals, and definitely not a place like the last pet store Wise Co. had (dont get me started on that one! lol).

I went to Bristol to go to Pet Partners to get my dogs some raw bones.
I have to go there because no grocery store or butcher in Wise Co. or the surrounding area has bones in their supplies anymore. Everything comes pre-butchered. Even Bob's Market had to order bones for me, and it took 3 months and cost me $8 a pound and they couldn't even cut them to size for me (I essentially had dachshunds chewing on beef leg bones as long as they were).

Anyhow, I get to Linden Square only to find out Pet Partners has closed that location (surprise!) and moved somewhere onto State Street Bristol TN. That would add 20 minutes to my drive and force me to pay TN state tax. They've lost my business. I followed them from Kingsport, to Bristol VA, and I'm not traveling even further to find them now.

Petsmart isn't a good substitute. They only sell 1-2 premium brands of dog food, they sell no raw, no feeze dried raw, no raw bones, etc.

There are a lot of "dog" people like me in the area, and we all travel out of area to get the supplies we need. Dog people spend $.

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I couldn't agree more!!!! I have two cats and have to go to Kingsport to get their food. It is at Pet Smart, but I can't even get any store around here to stock it. It's one of the premium brands. People look at me like I'm crazy when I check out with seven or eight cases of food. I tell them them I'm from Wise and can't get the food anywhere around here. The reply I ALWAYS get is "We get alot of people from over in that area." Cat people spend too!!

As PVFAN said we need a good Sports Bar in Norton. A nice place similar to Bailey's or that type design. Big, wide open space, with numerous TV's all over the place. Be known as the place with the largest number of beers on tap (which around here wouldn't be hard) Mosby's used to have 19 on tap, most other places have 3 or 4.

Have all the games PPV events, packages, etc to draw in the crowd. Have pool tables, dart boards, etc and run tournaments on select weekends.

Limit your food options to what most bars would sell (wings, appetizers, sandwiches, and a few larger entree type meals)

Just a thought, that would be something I would imagine would go over very, very well around here. Make it authentic to the area, doesn't have to be a chain. Call it "The Varsity" or something like that and have different sections of the building in honor of local athletes who went pro, local schools, their accomplishments, etc.