Absolutely fantastic article in the Lakeland Ledger (FL) about a local small toy store competing successfully with the big boxes:
LAKELAND -- Marchets Toys & Hobbies, a small shop tucked in the corner of Southgate Shopping Center, is a reminder of life before the big-box stores.The Ledger asks him 5 questions, and lets him answer in detail. Here's the first:There is no intercom announcing deals in the produce and lingerie departments. Customers aren't pushing carts filled with everything from motor oil to Barbie dolls.
Marchets has been in business for nearly 50 years. David Nickels, 38, a Wisconsin native who lived most his adult life in Tampa and worked for the University of South Florida before buying the store, is the fifth owner. He took the toy store's helm three years ago....
Read the whole story! Now! What are you waiting for?!
Q. What's the most difficult part of owning Marchets?A. The hardest thing is carrying things you can't buy at Wal-Mart and Target. About 95 percent of what I have in here is unique.
It's tricky. I bought the business in September 2001, and then we had Sept. 11. The economy was really shaky and then with things like the hurricanes, I missed time because I didn't have power. You're at the mercy of the economy.
Toys "R" Us is having trouble because of Wal-Mart, so you know I'm being affected in some ways. But at the same time, I have no payroll and I don't have to accept shipments I didn't order.
If you're a chain store, you have to carry certain items. Every Wal-Mart has the same merchandise and it's sent to the store automatically. I can control my own money and my own stock. If I don't want to order something, I don't have to.
On a recent trip to my alma mater, my wife and I stopped in at Bank Street Books, a wonderful children's bookstore I had no use for as an undergraduate. It has an incredible selection of intelligent books for children, and if you're in the area (112th and Broadway, Manhattan), I'd suggest you stop in.
Posted by Kevin on November, 28 2004 at 10:24 AM
