CHICAGO — When asked in this 2020 American Drycleaner Your Views survey to tell us: “How do you rate your store location on a scale of 1-10? (With 10 being best.)” Here is what respondents reveal:
Almost all of the answers were rated 8 or above. There were a few 10s. Also, a few rated in the 3-4 range. No respondents rated their business location below a 3.
The survey then poses this: “Which best describes your location?”
“Stand-alone building” received 32%. “Strip mall” received 24%. “On a block with other stores” received 24%. “Shopping center complex” got 16%. “Industrial area” got 2%. “Mixed.” got 2%. (See graphic.)
The survey asks: “Tell us what you like, and what you don’t, about your location?” Keep in mind respondents received and answered the survey just before COVID-19 was hitting and affecting business. Answers are as follows:
• “Like the location. But limited parking.”
• “We’re short on parking.”
• “The shop is in a reasonably busy area, but the age and appearance of the building and surrounding buildings needs urgent attention. Parking is also a huge problem.”
• “Corner, one block from the intersection of the traditional travel routes going north, south and east, west.”
• “Love the area, but not the crime.”
• “I built it myself. Busiest corner in town.”
• “Highly visible with a double drive-thru. Great existing demographics with a fast growth rate.”
• “I like the close neighborhood feel. I dislike the minimal traffic that flows through the corner.”
• “I am in a great upscale location but would love to have a drive-thru.”
• “Perfect.”
• “No drive-thru.”
The survey asks respondents: “How much customer parking do you have?”
Forty-two percent say they have a, “Big parking lot.” Twenty-nine percent have a, “Few places in a small lot.” Thirteen percent have, “Street parking.” Eleven percent have, “Other.” (Such as “Shared non exclusive.”) And five percent have, “A couple reserved spaces.”
Lastly the survey asks: “If you could move your business, would you? And why?”
Many respondents simply answer “No.” Or say that they would not move. But some did say that they would move, as follows:
• “Yes, only for pickup and delivery. Not the plant.”
• “I would move if I had the same exposure, better parking, and cheaper rent. Connecticut is killing small businesses.”
• “I would move it to my own building. Right now I’m renting a space.”
• “Yes in a heart beat, because we need parking and more space.”
• “Yes, owning a building is the ultimate goal.”
The Your Views survey offers a current snapshot of the trade audience’s views. Qualified subscribers to American Drycleaner e-mails are invited to participate anonymously in the unscientific poll.
Have a question or comment? E-mail our editor Dave Davis at [email protected].