December 21,2006, Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper (a quote concerning the holiday snow storm) : “ My major concern is not the additional burden on the budget for snow removal or the loss of sales tax to the City of Denver, but the effect this is going to have on the thousands of small business owners at this important time of year”.
December 20, 2006, Estes Park Trail Gazette: For the year, the Town is still on track to surpass the $6.7 million planners budgeted for. “We look to come in really close to what we forecast,” said McFarland, town finance director. (There are no quotes from hizzoner other than the one where he justified the expenditure of $400,000.00 dollars on Hermit Park because he hopes some “day hikers” may eat lunch in Estes Park, he hopes).
Please explain to me why anyone would want to open a new business in Estes Park. I have racked by brain for ten reasons why opening a business in Estes Park is a potentially profitable act and I couldn’t come up with ten. So then I tried coming up with bits of advice to assist a potential business.
Listed are some realities of doing business in Estes Park. If you are looking to start or locate your business in Estes Park this is the Estes Parkian Christmas present to you.
Estes Park is a seasonal business environment, June to August; July is the only good month.
Estes Park is a seasonal business environment, June to August; July is the only good month.
If you are a potential retailer do not rent a space in The Church Shops, everyone that I have ever talked to that opened a business there moves out as soon as they can.
If you are a potential retailer the north side of Elkhorn between Moraine and Riverside are the preferred spots. Its dog eat dog to get those spots.
Bond Park fills up with retail tents every weekend all summer, so there is no use opening up your business until noon. There is no use paying an employee to keep you doors open after 5 PM, the majority of people that come in after 5PM have been drinking in the local bars all day.
Do not enter into a contract to run a local television commercial, locals do not watch the local station and local people do not shop here. The very first people through your door will be the local advertising sales people to take your money before you catch on. Running an ad in the local papers does not work; the local people will not shop here. Ignore this piece of advice if you just like watching your self on TV or seeing your name in print.
Forget joining the Chamber of Commerce they target new business until the new businesses catch on. The Chamber is broke, what can they tell you about business?
Forget being involve in community activities you will be to busy in the summer and to poor in the winter. You will not hike, you will not fish and you will not visit the Park.
Your neighbor businesses will resent you opening a business because you represent competition, they will come in to say hello initially, but only to check out your lines.
If you purchase a motel the profit will be in selling the motel in four years, you will need customer leads and those can be purchased from the towns CVB (Convention and Visitors Bureau) or the Chamber. You should belong to one of the various lodging associations; they seem to work together well.
There is no work force that speaks English so you are on your own if you depend on customer service, how do you say “Smiles Above” in Spanish?
You must have a web presents.
You must bring your own parachute, pack it yourself and wear it every day. You are on your own.
You will not get a loan at a local bank. They will process your credit cards though.
Open a second store somewhere on the Front Range, before all your savings run out.
Learn the word NO: No we do not give a local discount, No we do not stay open in the winter, No we do not have a public toilet, No we do not know where you parked your car, and No we will not be here next summer.
Thank you
Merry Christmas
