Bad location and how to overcome it?

Question: Is it legal or can it become legal with some paperwork to place a sign like this on the side of a public street?

I was just asked to help build this store up. I know a few things already that need to be done since I used to be a manager in another store (not a thrift store). But I am trying to get as much information as I can to get a plan together. The store was not run well at all before me. So we have very little and almost no information. So no we don't have a list.

is there anything else down the alley? Could you paint foot steps or the like on the ground?

You need to turn what appears to be a bad location into an advantage, a marketing advantage that is!

"We may be hard to find, but worth the search!"

"Sure you know where walmart is, but everything there is made in China!" <-- and YES I have used that one before for a client!

can you get some music outside? maybe a bistro set with an umbrella? bright yellow works best. ( this works even better when you sell cold drinks by the register - people will buy them and sit outside )

Think its hard finding us? Getting out is even harder! ( insert 50's ish image of woman walking with hand full of parcels stacked above her head )

As our name implies...our prices are INEXPENSIVE and so is our rent... so what if we are tucked in behind ( insert store name ) and you cant see us from the street? Just follow the footsteps to our door!

Finding us is half the fun... our prices are the other half!

I spent 4 years coming up with this stuff. The guy was making so much money it made it worth while for the wife to divorce him! ( true story ) she got the store, and it closed 6 months later - I would say it was because the GREAT advertising stopped!

Just noticed that you originally posted there is not a lot of foot traffic. OUCH. I would STRONGLY suggest a PSA. Pick an organization or theme. School supplies, or dog shelter ( would be the best, they will be able to help with the PSA ) Food Shelter etc. Bring in etc, get 20% off. What this does is generally bring a customer in 2 times. Once to see if its worth while, and they will generally buy something. Then the second time meeting the requirement of the Offer, and buying another item(s).

A question. You are a thrift shop? where do you get your items from? Do you check the value of most every item that walks through the door on e-bay and etsy? It might behoove you to look at these avenues. My wife and I do A LOT of this. I just recently bought 5000 DVD's for .25 each. We are getting about $2.00 each from online sales ( after shipping and packaging etc )

Have you looked into local swap meets and setting up.. not every week but every other. A good way to advertise your shop, and to dump product. I would suggest when you go. go with a product theme, and change it up every time. Modern, antique, clothes. childrens etc... people go to those "regularly" so going in with "Different" stuff every time gives them something to be excited about. Makes you stand out.

My wife and I recently did a neighborhood garage sale. we asked what everyone had. And it was antiques and clothes and the like. everything was in boxes and piled and junky. We went in with Modern. Layed out our furniture in vinyettes. Displayed everything nice. We only had enough product for 1 day of a 3 day event. $4200 worth in 7 hours! My neighbors were pissed! ha ha we probably will not be invited next year!

So that leads me to.. what does the inside of the store look like? Are you selling junk in a junky store. or do you hi-lite each items use and purpose? Do your dining room tables have place settings? Do you have your couches etc stacked up or displayed?

The closer you can get to say "The Gap" the better off you will be. Minimal use of hangers. Everything is sectioned. Everything is DIPLAYED. Every item has Purpose!

Hope that Helps!