Kiteboard Shop possibly opening in Duluth!!!

[dave12341234]

So last week I was at Park Point, The wind came down quite a bit, so I was sitting around for a while. Got talking to a guy from Ft. Lauderdale,FL. He asked me where I got my gear from, and I said online. He was very surprised and thought that Duluth should have had a shop by now. He owns a surf/kitesurf shop down in FL, and says the oil spill is affecting his business, and he's looking to move up here. He got talking about how he rides with pros on a daily basis, and how he could easily bring them up here to start an event, which would kick start his business. He was very excited about starting this year sometime. he said he found a good little facility to rent out for $8,500/yr. The way he was explaining it to me is that he would have just the local kiters come in on a voluntary basis to help out with customers and stuff, no pay. there would be couches and a giant t.v with a coffee bar. Just a place to hang out. He said that a coffee bar would provide just enough money to keep the place open plus gear sales would supplement that, primarily used gear. What does everyone think of this? Do you think he'll make it? I'm very stoked about the whole idea, and I believe a business like that in the downtown duluth area would attract many people, whether it's just for the coffee, or the gear.

[Bill S.]

Matt and Keegan Meyers, of Broneah Kiteboarding, began with a similar business model in Traverse City, Michigan. Check it out, it works.

Bill

[Tighe]

That model has been tossed around for awhile. I think it is the model that could work. Kite only stores in Minnesota have a tough road. Finding something that generates some income other than kites, and provides a hang out for kiters on non wind days....could work.

We're a relatively small market here in Minnesota. I wouldn't want to rest on kite sales alone. Sounds like he's got some other ideas. I give him luck.

[dave12341234]

Yah, he plans on selling anything from kites to ice climbing gear.

[scottman]

Isn't tha the same as Midwest downtown, kites to climbing gear, anyway good luck to him.