INPUT FROM ALL NEEDED!!! Possible Business Location Move

[MMB]

Hello everyone!!!

I currently live in the Berwyn-Area, however I have my business located in Downtown Forest Park. My dilemma is simple: I have to move out of the place my business currently resides. I am weary about the move, however am looking into Riverside and Berwyn properties. My challenge here is are there going to be rises in the neighborhood? I grew up there, so of course there's a soft-spot in my heart for Berwyn. However, I'm on the fence about my business being there. Here are the 2 options I've come up with:

1. I move my place there. People from surrounding areas discover the beautiful homes and lower prices in Berwyn once they travel from wherever to come to my place.(Keep in mind all of my clientele is either in FP, Oak Park, or Riverside.) Then, slowly but surely, the neighborhhod skyrockets, and my COMMUNITY and business is okay.

2. Or, to play devil's advocate, I could open my place there. People wouldn't come to Berwyn to patronize my place. After a while it goes down the tubes, and eventually fizzles into nothing. End all and be all is that Berwyn stays the same-depressed and overlooked by young urbans as myself.

Now, there's no sure-fire research out there that I can use as a safety net. However, my gut tells me that so many business owners are afraid of the same thing as I am, so they opt not to open their places there. And the end result is nothing-the same old places that don't drive people into town. So, in my heart of hearts, I feel there is an opportunity for the uprising up "newness" to enter the community-the Metra is centrally located, there are buses, etc. to get around, 15 mins. W of the city, etc. And the condos are being built like I eat Ice Cream in the summer.(Unhealthy amounts.)=P No offense to all of the "Oldies-but-Goodies" who may be reading this, but Berwyn needs young blood. I would hopefully be one of many some day. We need Yuppies here, and I'd love to own the undertaking of bringing them in. Yuppies spend money, and money makes towns and businesses thrive. There's absolutely no reason why Berwyn shouldn't be the next Oak Park. Forest Park did something great and turned a dump into a cute little town. I want Berwyn to do the same.

So, my question is to all of you: Yay or Nay on a new business taking a chance in Berwyn? And if you vote yes, then where would you advise?(Cermak Rd. is busy, however the clientele would be different, I feel. Ogden Ave. is also busy, but again, different. And there are no main thouroughfares in the "Boutique/Downtown Business" district, but that seems to be the only place where there would be a lot of walk-by traffic.) Thank you all for your input!!!! 

[OakParkSpartan]

I would take a long hard look at Roosevelt Road.

There is a streetscape project happening which will improve the walkability.

You also have Bohdi Thai, Wishbone, Fitzgerald's, Turano's, Turco's, the gelato place, Horribles, Friendly Tap, the newly remodeled Buona and other places that I might have forgotten.  You are close the the south Oak Parker's and the north Berwyn population.  The street gets good traffic (not as much as Cermak, but certainly more than the Depot).  Depending upon the nature of your business, it might be a good fit.

[MMB]

Exactly-the nature of my business would be terrible, as I would be directly competing with another business right down the street. I get the logic behind your suggestion, but after toying with the idea myself, Roosevelt wouldn't work because of the above fact. (Okay, it could, but I'd have to REALLY pull some strings or something.)

[BRoWN]

OK. Enlighten me. What kind of business are you talking about? That will help me tell you what part of town. Maybe you do want to move right next to competition. Surely Berwyn wants you to move here.

[MMB]

BRoWN-

Unfortunately I can't reveal that info as of right now. To make a long story short, it is unknown that I will be moving. I am not ready to let people know just yet, so I have to keep things very close to me. But, I am thinking I will be watching the Depot district very carefully, as I like that part of town. And, as I think more and more, I like that there are a lot of small businesses over there. That means you know who's around you, etc. And the Metra is right there, so visibility to commuters is a HUGE plus. (I need commuters in my business-that's a must.)

[MMB]

P.S. to OakParkSpartan

I forgot to mention that if I were on Roosevelt Rd. then people wouldn't be invited into the town to see all of the homes, etc. That's where I'd like to take things in the "Big Picture." Come to my place, and while you're here, notice the homes around you, and buy one! 

[tlcnurse]

In my opinion as a business owner there are several pieces of important information that anyone would need to make an educated decision when it comes to relocating a business.

First, What type of business do you have?

Second, How far will your current customer base travel?

Third, What type of market does your current business appeal to?

These are just some of the many questions we asked ourselves when we were looking at locations to open up our store. I am curious as to what your answers are. Only then could I say yes or no. I own a business in Berwyn & find that we have a great customer base that has been very supportive of our growing business. So from my personal experience regarding our business I would say that Berwyn is a great place to relocate to. Good Luck no matter what you decide.

[Rt. 66]

Exactly-the nature of my business would be terrible, as I would be directly competing with another business right down the street.
...Roosevelt wouldn't work because of the above fact

You're moving the one and only Burger King out of Forest Park?  How dare you!!!

[BRoWN]

Exactly-the nature of my business would be terrible, as I would be directly competing with another business right down the street.
...Roosevelt wouldn't work because of the above fact

You're moving the one and only Burger King out of Forest Park?  How dare you!!!

lol. funny you say this Bonster. I believe opening a mom and pop fast food joint with better burgers right next to a burger king is a good biz strategy.

[Rt. 66]

I own a business in Berwyn & find that we have a great customer base that has been very supportive of our growing business. So from my personal experience regarding our business I would say that Berwyn is a great place to relocate to. Good Luck no matter what you decide.

Tonini's fills a huge void in Berwyn, IMO.
I'm sure there's a nice base outside of town (plus those who loved D'Andrea's), but your business is unique, and again fills a need we've had in the Depot District for quite a while. 
The real reason Tonini's is great, though, is the people who work there. </done ass kissing>


Now back to MMB...

[Rt. 66]

Exactly-the nature of my business would be terrible, as I would be directly competing with another business right down the street.
...Roosevelt wouldn't work because of the above fact

You're moving the one and only Burger King out of Forest Park?  How dare you!!!

lol. funny you say this Bonster. I believe opening a mom and pop fast food joint with better burgers right next to a burger king is a good biz strategy.

I agree.  Parky's was (is) overrated.  Kings & Queens had the best gyros this side of Pete's, no doubt, but went down the tubes as Nicky's unfortunately.

[BRoWN]

Exactly-the nature of my business would be terrible, as I would be directly competing with another business right down the street.
...Roosevelt wouldn't work because of the above fact

You're moving the one and only Burger King out of Forest Park?  How dare you!!!

lol. funny you say this Bonster. I believe opening a mom and pop fast food joint with better burgers right next to a burger king is a good biz strategy.

I agree.  Parky's was (is) overrated.  Kings & Queens had the best gyros this side of Pete's, no doubt, but went down the tubes as Nicky's unfortunately.

YEp. Know the competition.......then set your goals and sights on their customer base.  That's target marketing to me!  Then.......only after that....advertise and market to new customers.

[Bear]

It would help to know what your biz is,
if I were to help you...

You are throwing thoughts to the wind,
and that shows poor business management.

If price is driving your move, you are in deep trouble
as any retail/landlord concern would do whatever is
needed to keep you where you are at.

[Nazerac]

P.S. to OakParkSpartan

I forgot to mention that if I were on Roosevelt Rd. then people wouldn't be invited into the town to see all of the homes, etc. That's where I'd like to take things in the "Big Picture." Come to my place, and while you're here, notice the homes around you, and buy one! 

There are some nice homes in North Berwyn too.  I'd still take another look at Roosevelt.  You do have a lot of commuter traffic along Roosevelt, and you have high density and upscale area in South Oak Park.

[pkd50]

What's happening to the beef place that was going to open in the DD?

[maraire]

What's happening to the beef place that was going to open in the DD?

Under construction as we speak.

MMB you really need to throw us a bone as to what type of bus.

[truman40]

What's happening to the beef place that was going to open in the DD?

pkd50- The beef place is still being worked on and the last I checked is schedule to open in a couple of months.

MMB- My answer to you is Yay on opening a new business in Berwyn, and here is why.
1) Berwyn has a few business zones each with its own unique characteristics giving you different options to find a place that is right for you. Roosevelt Rd has some well established businesses and is across from Oak Park, Cermak Rd has the foot traffic and is working toward full Mainstreet status, Ogden is more of a car oriented area & the Depot District is quaint and geared toward that one of a kind type of business.
2) The BDC under Tony Griffin is accessible and forward thinking. If you can tell them your criteria they can make location suggestions based on facts, help out with landlord negotiations and even provide some funding through TIF.
3) Rental is relativley affordable when compared to other nearby communities.
4) Community Support, and for this one I can only provide my personal experience. As you know I own Over The Rainbow in the Depot District. My business has been blessed with a core group of Berwyn families that actually care about how our business is doing. They promote us to their friends and worry about us over the winter months. They make suggestions and let us know where we need improvements. I don't know if this is the case else where but I do know from talking to the other businesses in the Depot that it is the norm here.
I hope this helps you in your decision making process and if I can help in anyway please let me know. I would be glad to also give you a tour of the Depot if that helps.

[PamF]

Exactly-the nature of my business would be terrible, as I would be directly competing with another business right down the street.
...Roosevelt wouldn't work because of the above fact

You're moving the one and only Burger King out of Forest Park?  How dare you!!!

Did I miss something?  When did Burger King move TO Forest Park? 

[Hogzilla]

As long as it's not a methadone clinic, I'm all for new business coming to the Depot.

[Terri]

As long as it's not a methadone clinic, I'm all for new business coming to the Depot.

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