Help in Choosing a Miniature Golf Course Location Choosing a miniature golf course location is, at best, a risky undertaking. Considering the consequences of choosing a location that proves to be unsuitable, it pays to get as much assistance as possible. You may wish to hire a consultant to analyze two or three locations that you have selected. It costs less if you provide the consultant with pre-selected potential miniature golf course locations than to have him or her initiate an open-ended search for a miniature golf course location. The business school of a nearby college or university may also be able to provide help. Other sources of information on potential miniature golf course locations include bankers and lawyers, who may have been in position to have observed over an extended period of time many miniature golf course locations where other clients previously did business. Realtors can also provide information on location. Remember, though, their compensation is based upon commissions for renting property. Take Your Time in Selecting the Miniature Golf Course Location Selection of a retail location requires time and careful consideration. It should not be done in haste just to coincide, say, with a loan approval. If you havent found a suitable location, dont plan to open your miniature golf course until you are sure you have what you want. Put your plans on hold and dont just settle for a location you hope might work out. A few months delay is only a minor setback compared to the massive -- often fatal -- problems that occur from operating a miniature golf course business in a poor location. Characteristics of a Good Location Choosing a site is an important aspect of starting a miniature golf course. The characteristics of a good location are: Traffic : Drivers passing your miniature golf course will become familiar with it and might stop there to shop. You can get traffic counts from a real estate firm, demographic firm, planning commission, or highway department. You will want to pick a location that has high traffic counts during peak business hours. One way is access this is to park at the site at different times of the day, including week-ends and get some figures for yourself. If you are in a downtown area, you will need to access the foot traffic. The type of foot traffic will also have a bearing on the miniature golf course concept you choose. Visibility - If potential customers cant see you, they may not stop. A corner location is great. And even better is a free-standing building on a corner lot! If you choose a strip mall, a location at the end is best. Signage also increases visibility. Especially a sign with a read-a-board that allows you to advertise your products. If you are in a downtown location, a curb site gives you more visibility. Readily Accessible Parking - This is a must, customers need to be able to find a place to park or they may consider it to be more hassle than its worth, especially if they are in a hurry. Strong Population Back-Up - near a high school, college, university, office buildings, dense residential areas or high traffic commercial areas. Accessibility - Customers need to be able to get to your miniature golf course with ease. Median strips that dont allow for a left-hand turn make it hard for your customers to get to your miniature golf course. Highly congested traffic areas may also discourage them. Size - Will the site handle the projected amount of customers you are planning on having? Price - Make sure the price of the site or lease amount fits your projected break-even or you may just be buying a lot of work with no pay. Condition of the Site - How much money will it take to build there or if it is an existing building, how much money will it take to remodel or repair? Always check with the highway department and local agencies to see what improvements or changes are planned for the areas. Another thing to consider is whether or not this is a high crime area, people may not stop if they dont feel safe. Destruction of property, robbery and employee safety are other considerations.
Posted on: Wed, 19 Nov 2014 20:03:15 +0000
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