"Never Enough Money" wrote in message
ups.com...
I'm in my early 50's and have been a programmer, designer, and manger
of same for almost 30 years. I feel it's time for a change but still
have to pay a mortgage and 3 kids in college.

I'd love to open a Woodcrat store. Does anyone have any idea how much I
could take home? I know it depends on location, location, location, and
other things like the qulaity of help, etc. But are we talking $40K and
that's a struggle or $400K? What should be my expectations?


The Woodcraft store in Latham, NY only lasted a few years before folding...
The owner's cited being required to stock large quantities of slow moving
merchandise, carving chisels and hardware in particular, and that tied up
their cash. Another problem was that the slick, high profile location was
expensive. They bled cash until they couldn't bleed any more...

For me personally, their product mix didn't offer much of interest for a
walk in store--Woodworkers Warehouse was far more interesting. ;~)
Additionally, the things that did appeal to me tended to be very pricy
compared to other retailers prices. As a specialty mail order catalog
business Woodcraft looks just dandy but even in an area as big as
Albany/Schenectady/Troy, NY the store wasn't viable. It should be noted that
there are woodworkers in the area too... my woodworkers club alone has about
1,000 members and most of them are in that area of NY.

I'd due a LOT of due diligence before plunking down the bucks...

John