Starting my showroom again

Headphonesty - quote:

"And let’s face it, most younger people today are living in smaller spaces (think 500 sq. ft. condos). They simply don’t have the room, or the budget, for massive audio setups.

Combine that with the fact that younger generations are used to having music on the go, and you can see why they might not see much value in stationary, expensive gear."

To @luvtubes69 - while I don’t disagree and the points are valid, there are plenty of houses where I live at least, and someone will own or inherit them eventually. None of us would expect nothing less than these types of comments from a headphone happy website. Their world and place - totally get it, good for them.

No doubt we all see a lot more people with iPhones and earbuds all around us. Kids ride bicycles a lot less around here, many on some form of electronic and mechanically driven skateboards and scooters. All compact, ease-of-use, low effort, easy access practices. Lots of it related to quick-access social media, music other. Clearly the next generation has made the case for this direction. Not all though.

For the lucky few that still thrive and drive the audiophile passion, not dead yet - its still around us if you dig a little deeper. They come in to local shops nearby.

Some of the same kids and next-generation around my neck of the woods - those who’ve graduated from earbuds to headphones, then buying headphone tube amps, and incredibly creating a demand for 2nd hand vinyl and turntables and tube phono preamps all over again. 1/4 of the shop spaces dedicated at two home audio stores nearby to affordable headphone amps, turntables, cartridges, vinyl, and more.

These small audio stores learn how to adapt to accommodate them too, and it works okay.  We have vinyl stores offering selections of vintage gear too, that is not dead, going fairly well, interestingly or at least some small city areas too with apartment living.  I see it in city, small county areas around where i live at least. 

Next questions comes from them, LOL, "so how do I hook up a pair of speakers to my headphone tube amp?"...Yep, some going right back in this direction too. There will always be NaySayers, yet its just not that depressed in some areas and the next-gen of audiophiles may be small but not dead yet like some want to suggest. Those who serve both streams of old and new business types will likely survive better than others. Mail order is nice, but people still like to go try things out in person, particularly so when its expensive. I believe at least a small % of audio storefronts will survive.

The internet audio equipment market is wide open to any participant, and equipment made in low cost labor markets offers incredible value to someone who is fiscally conservative. Anecdotally, I have recently spoken with two brick-and-mortar store owners. They both said, in essence "don't give up your day job".

But rather than attempt to answer your question myself, I would suggest that you talk with other brick-and-mortar store owners in distant markets to your own. They *might* not see you as a potential competitor, and could offer an informed viewpoint.

I live in Nashville and I believe I bought my Parasound Hint amp from you back in the day (and you gave me a great deal). I was disappointed to find out your shop had closed cause I wanted to support what you do. I think you would get some business doing room treatments with Dirac or other software because it's something that, to be done right, requires an experienced hand. Also, placing subwoofers, adding acoustic panels, etc. These are things that the average Joe messes up as often as not. Good luck!

I would suggest calling/visiting "similar" stores in the area to talk with the owners.  Talk with Reps, Marketing people, including internet marketers.  I'd talk with small business owners and bankers in the area.  Try calling out-of-state dealers, I bet a lot would be glad to talk to you.  Try Steve Huff, he seems to live in a rural area.

Do lots of research and then write a business plan (lots of templates on the internet).  Definitely take up grizlybutter's offer. 

Be unique, special, you don't want to compete on price.

Good luck. 

@nashvillehifi ...The comment by @tunehead reminded me that there’s a local start-up in a b&m building that’s trying something different that you might find more fun, yet keep on the pulse of audiophilia....

( Aims to offer music oriented entertainment touting ’vintage Klipsch speakers’ and a turntable in house with plans to hold BYOLPs’ nights, serving wines, local brews, non-alcohol drinkage, snacks and nibbles.... )

There’s a plethora of mini-venues here in AVL in bars mostly frequented by the young and hip types who either tolerate or amused by the gray aged sorts that dare their doors....;) A few small studios about, and even a LP. pressing plant downtown-ish attending to a lively music scene of genres’ and blends you’d never considered an audience for.....

Perhaps a treated space with tables, chairs, couches....dimmable lighting...house gear @ hand (yours), but visible, sporting some ’reasonable $ SOTA’ (SS and tube) to intro those unfamiliar with the latter....

A second space for your call on some new stuff, but offering to do some consignment sales...obviously showing that which you think has legs to leave eventually without filling the dumpster....

Offer consultation on the various methods and means to take Your Sound home with them after your in-house system intros the newbies as to what that new LP of theirs can really play like....and How.

’Philes are cultivated. Breeding results are spotty at best,,,

Grow your own batch of clients...

Good luck 👍🤞😎 J

(Have an LP cleaning device under the counter if the disc looks like it's been bathed in beer before brought....)