Running a deli/cafe - where and how?

[sonik]

ChrisF did you seen the article on a place called Judges in The Guardian this weekend? Read it here >>
These guys have got it sorted, i've been there, the food is super good, the atmosphere relaxed and staff friendly, they don't have anywhere to sit but it's a good model to go on.

I've always wanted to own my own Feed & Read type place based on the SF model i saw a few years back.

 

[Mogden]

Ooo sonik's post has just reminded me about Bill's Produce Store.

http://observer.guardian.co.uk/foodmonthly/story/0,,1737044,00.html

http://www.billsproducestore.co.uk/

It's on my list of foodie places to visit and unfortunately it opened after I was at college in Lewes and hanging out in Brighton. Not exactly what you're aiming for but it's all positive foodie stuff

 

[ChrisFilter]

Part of me thinks it might be better to scout for towns in the South that don't have such a place... if only you could google such a thing.

Thanks for those links

 

[Idaho]

There is a fun 24 hour cafe in Brighton that has a queue and bouncers.

TBH i dont see much in the OP that smacks of a great idea certainkly nothing that hasnt been done before, trouble is usually these things are thought of/run with good intentions not good business intentions.

Successful businesses are seldom new concepts or ideas.

A deli/cafe if done well makes a good business. The key is to look at the areas you are wanting to set up in, sit on a street corner and count footfall and take note of who is buying what.

 

[Idaho]

Part of me thinks it might be better to scout for towns in the South that don't have such a place... if only you could google such a thing.

Thanks for those links

Why not just look for towns that are relatively affluent and have a commuter run from London. Get a place near the station and open late to catch the commuters.

 

[ChrisFilter]

That is a very real possiblity, nothing more useful than someone coming home hungry, popping into that new deli to have a look, loving it, starting to do more and more shopping there. Can't be arsed to think of a meal, so buy a meal kit.. pop in for a coffee and a sandwich on the weekend before heading out.. coming home drunk and wanting more, loving the different cheeses they'e never heard of and deciding they should know more so come along to the tasting nights with talks from the cheese maker and little guardian-esque wall charts handed out.. etc etc etc.

 

[oryx]

This sort of place looks about right:

http://www.findaproperty.com/displayprop.aspx?edid=00&salerent=0&pid=478635&agentid=11810

That's down the road from us - we tried to get in one Friday morning and had to wait about 15 minutes for a seat.

If you're interested in South London you could do a lot worse than Brockley/Honor Oak - it definitely seems like an area on the up but still cheap-ish .

 

[Nixon]

If you guys ended up in the palace id come by twice a week for a salami fix! a proper deli/safe combo in crystal palace would be sick!