81 replies to this topic

[Michael Jr.]

I think if you opened a store in a mall it would require more of a retail focus rather than a large racing program with the track more of a loss leader. Would take some balls to give it a try at any successful mall. The ones I go to like Westgate, Hillsdale and Stanford are all pretty much 100% occupied so I suspect it would have to be a 2nd tier mall. An outlet mall might work. 

Westgate? We have a mall by that name in Spartanburg.

[Michael Jr.]

Yep. I think a mall store would need to add an emphasis on the Scaletrix and Fly type 1:32 cars.
The strategic integration of the flexi class of 1:24 and the pretty cars of home-style tracks might cause some to do both without realizing the historic divide.

[Matt Sheldon]

I would never make it past the food court.

[Dennis David]

Westgate is all over. This one is in San Jose near Santana Row.

[Dennis David]

You could design a wood layout where both could run but there would need to be some compromises. Wouldn't work on a track like a Hilclimb or even a King. I would look at Slot.it, NSR, Scaleauto, and BRM. That's a long way from Retro, flexi and the cars most people here are interested in.

[Michael Jr.]

Yes... not sure the results of having both style slot cars present. Hopefully it will be complimentary.

[idare2bdul]

HOB-Max in Durham, NC, is in the process of moving to a higher traffic area of the same (Northgate) mall. They have been very cooperative with the racing program and the Triangle Slot Racing Association and the Mid-South USRA are using it for their races. Having clean bathrooms, heating, air conditioning, and plenty of parking has been nice. The have hosted birthday parties and charity events. 
 
Their R/C carpet racing program regularly attracts both local and out-of-state racers.

[John Streisguth]

When they have an event, does that tend to bring in curious on-lookers who may get some interest in the hobby? 

[Michael Jr.]

My speculation is that at the very least there is a tremendous amount of exposure because you're allowed to advertise at different places in the Mall.

This particular store is next to a Vap store and at the front door of Sears.

[Michael Jr.]

I think... it's going to come down to whether I want a track with hardcore 1/24 racing enthusiasts as 90% of my clientele. Or, can I live with maybe a scheduled race or two on Saturdays, an occasional serie,s and mostly renters and parties.

As for the ability to sustain the track, I believe the traffic is good enough and I can scale prices and time enough to have a good business. It's just a question of being able to pull off both a competitive 1/24 race track and a hobby shop track all in the same place.

[Dennis David]

I think you are correct and what you will find out if you do go this route is if 1/24 scale commercial racing has a path for the future.

You might consider the 1/24 Carreras as an option as well.

[Michael Jr.]

I have a few 1/24 Carreras in my personal collection of cars. Love them actually.

[PCH Parts Express]

Mall clients are shoppers. Shoppers like to have fun buying things. They like to eat drink and have fun. 

 

Carrera 1/32 analog car about 39.95 retail. They look good. They work fine. 

 

If you sold the cars for 39.95. Then charged maybe $5 to race all day that could fill up your store with shoppers kids that want to have fun. 

 

Maybe sell 2-20 cars per day. Then add to that 2-20 $5 dollar racers. Plus you can sell sodas (if the mall allows it) for 1.00. (cans) 2.00 (plastic bottles).

 

Hold races for 1/32 Carrera cars 15yrs and under on Saturday?  Older folks maybe on another day or days?

 

Entry could be 2-5 dollars. Because the cars are low cost you could have rental car races every hour on the hour subject to the crowd. After the race some kids (and adults) will rush to pick out their new car (to purchase).

 

At the kids parties you again can make car sales to the guests. 

 

Of course you can have the wooden 1/24 track or tracks toward the back of the shop. I would predict the plastic cars for 39 dollars will sell better than JK cars (1/32 and 1/24) at 56-94 dollars. Plus you could sell related items like home sets. 

[tonyp]

Like it.

[Dennis David]

The shopper bit is right and many if not mist 1/32 racers buy more cars than they ever race. Aldo don't forget the 1/24 Carreras. There are a couple of really nice ones coming out for this year.

But there you have it. Not typical commercial raceway that we're used to. Maybe not something you want. Still you could have a program at specific times/days for the commercial racer. Would take some juggling but the separate entrance/exit woul be required.

Are you familiar with Dave & Busters? I always thought if I had a raceway it would be like a Dave & Busters with a track.

[Michael Jr.]

Seems clear both from this and from the required mall hours that this undertaking transitions to "business" instead of profitable hobby/sport. On the one hand that excites me. On the other it's overwhelming.
Guess that's been an unspoken handicap of our business. We want it to be big and busy but not TOO big and busy. Lol

[Dennis David]

Would need to with the rent and all. It may not be right for you and take away from why you want a raceway in the first place. I totally respect that.

[Dennis David]

Not too big and busy that it takes away from our racing. You got that right. May be why some don't like b-day parties even though they bring in money.

Most owners are in it for the hobby and find they need to run a business, a business they are not prepared for.

[John C Martin]

I would think all mall stores have a back door to meet fire codes.

[Dennis David]

Back door and a store entrance are not the same thing. ;-)

[Michael Jr.]

It has a back door. And I could certainly allow k own racers to enter at particular times but I couldn't keep the back door Open. It's like an ally and goes into the storage or stock room.

[Don Weaver]

You could end up doing "babysitter" duty for Mom and Dad while they go shopping or to a movie.  A room full of screaming kids running around would probably put an end to your "hard core" racers.  Might need some heavy duty insurance policies too.  Otherwise it could really increase the business.....

 

Don

[Dennis David]

No more of a baby sitter than Starbucks are for adults and they seem to be doing ok. But there is the conflict that was mentioned earlier. We want to be big but not too big. 

 

I remember riding my bike with my sot car box to the raceway. Was I being baby-sat? Probably LOL

[Michael Jr.]

You could end up doing "babysitter" duty for Mom and Dad while they go shopping or to a movie.  A room full of screaming kids running around would probably put an end to your "hard core" racers.  Might need some heavy duty insurance policies too.  Otherwise it could really increase the business.....
 
Don

Insurance is required by the mall.
And they encouraged me to have a minors have to be accompanied policy. They don't want unsupervised kids running around the mall.

[Mbloes]

 Having clean bathrooms, heating, air conditioning, and plenty of parking has been nice. 

 

Can't quote this too many times . . .