Comments on: So You Want to Open a Catholic Store? (Part I) http://catholicinformation.aquinasandmore.com/2006/06/07/so-you-want-to-open-a-catholic-store-part-i/ If it's Catholic we'll talk about it and probably sell it. Mon, 02 Nov 2009 04:47:56 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc hourly 1 By: tomfantasia http://catholicinformation.aquinasandmore.com/2006/06/07/so-you-want-to-open-a-catholic-store-part-i/comment-page-1/#comment-233 tomfantasia Mon, 12 Nov 2007 14:23:58 +0000 https://catholicinformation.wordpress.com/2006/06/07/so-you-want-to-open-a-catholic-store-part-i/#comment-233 We are taking over a local Catholic bookstore that has been in business for 20 years. Does anyone have any recommendations on POS systems and software? We're also starting the web store. Currently the store is using Bookstore Manager, and it seems to be well thought out. I'm wondering what others are using. BTW, I'd like to validate the articles on why people shouldn't shop in your store and tips on how to improve your store - we came up with almost identical lists independently without seeing the ones posted. About 98% of the items applied to this store! We are taking over a local Catholic bookstore that has been in business for 20 years. Does anyone have any recommendations on POS systems and software? We’re also starting the web store. Currently the store is using Bookstore Manager, and it seems to be well thought out. I’m wondering what others are using.

BTW, I’d like to validate the articles on why people shouldn’t shop in your store and tips on how to improve your store – we came up with almost identical lists independently without seeing the ones posted. About 98% of the items applied to this store!

]]> By: Why People Shouldn’t Shop at Your Catholic Store « Musings from a Catholic Bookstore http://catholicinformation.aquinasandmore.com/2006/06/07/so-you-want-to-open-a-catholic-store-part-i/comment-page-1/#comment-235 Why People Shouldn’t Shop at Your Catholic Store « Musings from a Catholic Bookstore Sat, 22 Sep 2007 19:16:22 +0000 https://catholicinformation.wordpress.com/2006/06/07/so-you-want-to-open-a-catholic-store-part-i/#comment-235 [...] Do you have any of the skills necessary to open a store? Are you capable of being an accountant, sales manager, marketing manager, bill collector, store manager, inventory controller and have a life outside of the store? When I finally admitted that I wasn’t an accountant it took several months for a real one to straighten out our books. More on opening your own store. [...] [...] Do you have any of the skills necessary to open a store? Are you capable of being an accountant, sales manager, marketing manager, bill collector, store manager, inventory controller and have a life outside of the store? When I finally admitted that I wasn’t an accountant it took several months for a real one to straighten out our books. More on opening your own store. [...]

]]> By: david corry http://catholicinformation.aquinasandmore.com/2006/06/07/so-you-want-to-open-a-catholic-store-part-i/comment-page-1/#comment-234 david corry Mon, 17 Sep 2007 22:20:20 +0000 https://catholicinformation.wordpress.com/2006/06/07/so-you-want-to-open-a-catholic-store-part-i/#comment-234 Have been praying about this dream the Lord gave me. Need more ideas, but those on the blog have been helpful. Going to chamber of commerce to see about laws and permits I might need. Really need captial. Could run it out of home for awhile till it grows and can pay store front rent. Not quitting job to run this yet, but that is a goal a long way down the road. Thanks for more to think about. Have been praying about this dream the Lord gave me. Need more ideas, but those on the blog have been helpful. Going to chamber of commerce to see about laws and permits I might need. Really need captial. Could run it out of home for awhile till it grows and can pay store front rent. Not quitting job to run this yet, but that is a goal a long way down the road. Thanks for more to think about.

]]> By: Eric Wilson http://catholicinformation.aquinasandmore.com/2006/06/07/so-you-want-to-open-a-catholic-store-part-i/comment-page-1/#comment-232 Eric Wilson Fri, 09 Jun 2006 17:50:13 +0000 https://catholicinformation.wordpress.com/2006/06/07/so-you-want-to-open-a-catholic-store-part-i/#comment-232 I opened gift and bookstore 4 years ago. Market research is the key. You listed several good points. I found masstimes.org and our archdiosican website invaluable in the research. Masstimes.org gave me a parish location map and the archdiosican website had info on numbers of families at each parish. They(the numbers) were different than what I would have guessed, so don't guesse. In terms of competition, I didn't worry too much about the local christian store. They had a very poor selection of Catholic stuff and closed shop about three months after I opened. I was concerned about taking some business away from a local drugstore that carries Catholic items like statues and first communion items. It is owned by a prominant local Catholic family. I had no qualms though after seeing the patron saints statue display 15 feet from the condom display and 25 feet from the pharmacy counter where they distibute birth control pills and the like. Another point that was valuable for me was "offstreet" parking. People, especially older people, which will be a large part of business, like easy access parking lots. They also like a location that is in close proximity to places they normally go anyway, like the grocery store or their parish. I opened gift and bookstore 4 years ago. Market research is the key. You listed several good points. I found masstimes.org and our archdiosican website invaluable in the research. Masstimes.org gave me a parish location map and the archdiosican website had info on numbers of families at each parish. They(the numbers) were different than what I would have guessed, so don’t guesse.
In terms of competition, I didn’t worry too much about the local christian store. They had a very poor selection of Catholic stuff and closed shop about three months after I opened. I was concerned about taking some business away from a local drugstore that carries Catholic items like statues and first communion items. It is owned by a prominant local Catholic family. I had no qualms though after seeing the patron saints statue display 15 feet from the condom display and 25 feet from the pharmacy counter where they distibute birth control pills and the like.
Another point that was valuable for me was “offstreet” parking. People, especially older people, which will be a large part of business, like easy access parking lots. They also like a location that is in close proximity to places they normally go anyway, like the grocery store or their parish.

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