Trailhead shop in Cape Town

[madmarc]

So a question to all you cyclists in Cape Town / Somerset West / Tygerberg / Stellies and surrounding areas.

 

If one was to open a TrailHead Shop / Coffe Shop / Service center targeting MTBers. Hikers & Cross Country runners. Where in your opinion would be the best location ?

 

Currently Somerset West & Stellies is on the list, was wondering if any other locations would be better suited.

[Duane_Bosch]

So a question to all you cyclists in Cape Town / Somerset West / Tygerberg / Stellies and surrounding areas.

 

If one was to open a TrailHead Shop / Coffe Shop / Service center targeting MTBers. Hikers & Cross Country runners. Where in your opinion would be the best location ?

 

Currently Somerset West & Stellies is on the list, was wondering if any other locations would be better suited.

Warning! Cape Town is not like JHB. Large stores like Cyclle Lab DO NOT work here.

[s14phoenix]

Warning! Cape Town is not like JHB. Large stores like Cyclle Lab DO NOT work here.

 

Not a bad idea then for trailhead....

 

Especially when the people in the shop has actually used the equipment they stock and sell...

[madmarc]

Warning! Cape Town is not like JHB. Large stores like Cyclle Lab DO NOT work here.

No No the Business Plan is nothing near CL shops

[lechatnoir]

Warning! Cape Town is not like JHB. Large stores like Cyclle Lab DO NOT work here.

 

Though, CWC seems to do OK.  . But I get your point Duane... it's pretty far off CL, regardless of size.

[PhilipV]

So a question to all you cyclists in Cape Town / Somerset West / Tygerberg / Stellies and surrounding areas.

 

If one was to open a TrailHead Shop / Coffe Shop / Service center targeting MTBers. Hikers & Cross Country runners. Where in your opinion would be the best location ?

 

Currently Somerset West & Stellies is on the list, was wondering if any other locations would be better suited.

The Hanger is at the Helderberg trails, I wouldn't bother with any of the other trails I'm Somerset West.

so that leaves stellies, with Jonkershoek getting a lot of traffic over weekends that would be my first suggestion, but Eden (also Paradyskloof gets a lot of foot traffic as well, so of you can get a shop opened in the suburbs there it could also work.

Each has challenges, but that is up to you as the entrepreneur to overcome them.

 

Durbanville seems to love a trailhead shop, with both Meerendal and Contermans kloof playing host to trailhead shops.

[madmarc]

The Hanger is at the Helderberg trails, I wouldn't bother with any of the other trails I'm Somerset West.

so that leaves stellies, with Jonkershoek getting a lot of traffic over weekends that would be my first suggestion, but Eden (also Paradyskloof gets a lot of foot traffic as well, so of you can get a shop opened in the suburbs there it could also work.

Each has challenges, but that is up to you as the entrepreneur to overcome them.

 

Durbanville seems to love a trailhead shop, with both Meerendal and Contermans kloof playing host to trailhead shops.

Is there a trailhead shop or similar shop to "The Hanger" in Durbanville ?

 

I always liked the Stellies option. the coffee shop would need to cater for people using the trails as well as off the street, so the suburban suggestion I like.

 

Was also at Paul Cluver a few weeks back for other business, was wondering if this area could be a good option as well.

[T-Bob]

I'm not sure, I've thought a lot about this and recently there is an over saturation of bike shops all doing pretty much the same thing. Issue with a trailhead shop the down times for 80% of the week is going to be massive. You've got to look at good point of difference. This Way Out @ Conties does pretty well but the pull in the maintenance work from some of the other stores and are part of a bigger company featuring a place in CT and an online / importers business. 

 

Alot of the trade will be casual as alot pf people have their LBS and might not want to mooch to you, drop the bike and then come back. Or drop it off after a ride as their next ride might be some where else. 

Personally if I was going to do any kind of business it'd be like those places in the Parks that are a restaurant with a massive, clean, well looked after play area, food fun area and dedicated childminders so that parents can catch a break, have a meal and conversation. Parents pay. The few places in CT that have a non lethal jungle gym and some kids food not drenched in MSG are gold mines and frankly super sub standard but they are packed out.... look at spur! 

[Headshot]

I'm not sure, I've thought a lot about this and recently there is an over saturation of bike shops all doing pretty much the same thing. Issue with a trailhead shop the down times for 80% of the week is going to be massive. You've got to look at good point of difference. This Way Out @ Conties does pretty well but the pull in the maintenance work from some of the other stores and are part of a bigger company featuring a place in CT and an online / importers business. 

 

Alot of the trade will be casual as alot pf people have their LBS and might not want to mooch to you, drop the bike and then come back. Or drop it off after a ride as their next ride might be some where else. 

 

Personally if I was going to do any kind of business it'd be like those places in the Parks that are a restaurant with a massive, clean, well looked after play area, food fun area and dedicated childminders so that parents can catch a break, have a meal and conversation. Parents pay. The few places in CT that have a non lethal jungle gym and some kids food not drenched in MSG are gold mines and frankly super sub standard but they are packed out.... look at spur! 

Imagine if you could have a babysitter zone where kids could be abandoned while the parents pedal? I could see that working in some places in the EU but maybe not so much here...

[Jewbacca]

The Ride In on Jonkers road is already there.... It has the location and all the bells and whistles.

 

Not sure how easy it would be to displace them on the Jonkers Option.

 

The Eden/Coetzenberg/G-spot trails could do with somewhere to graze and have a tune up/grab a new tire because you slashed yours on a Sunday ride type vibe.

 

If Coetzenberg is going to host some bigger continental/World Cup events you may do yourself a favour, but generally Cape Tonians are fickle and flakey and not very loyal... You would need to be good.

 

Really really good. Almost to the point where you create traffic for the trails because, well your shop is cooler than going elsewhere.

 

Even then you might only have 12 to 24 months in the sun before something else fashionable opens and people decide it's cooler... Cape Town.. PFFFT

[Shebeen]

paul cluver/grabouw doesn't get enough traffic during the week.

 

durbanville,there is one at contermans - http://www.thebike-shed.co.za/ but probably space for more.

 

The obvious one (to me) is tokai. for a while there was no bikeshop in the vicinity(barring the 'lab in westlake), but trail and tar moved in at forest glade centre. tokai was getting 1000+ people through the gates on a busy weekend day, that is a lot of traffic, and mtbing has been growing all this time.

NOW

there is an awesome location in tokai itself, the tea room. if you could handle the admin of having Sanparks as a landlord that would be a winner winner.

[madmarc]

paul cluver/grabouw doesn't get enough traffic during the week.

 

durbanville,there is one at contermans - http://www.thebike-shed.co.za/ but probably space for more.

 

The obvious one (to me) is tokai. for a while there was no bikeshop in the vicinity(barring the 'lab in westlake), but trail and tar moved in at forest glade centre. tokai was getting 1000+ people through the gates on a busy weekend day, that is a lot of traffic, and mtbing has been growing all this time.

NOW

there is an awesome location in tokai itself, the tea room. if you could handle the admin of having Sanparks as a landlord that would be a winner winner.

Tokai would be a winner, But securing a lease from SANParks, like you say, i'm probaly also the wrong color 

[T-Bob]

Tokai would be a winner, But securing a lease from SANParks, like you say, i'm probaly also the wrong color

 

Jeez, i don't think any one said that and if that is your starting point then don't bother. 

[PhilipV]

Tokai would be a winner, But securing a lease from SANParks, like you say, i'm probaly also the wrong color

No. Don't think like that. Then you are closing doors before they open.

Investigate the Tokai option.

 

Ito over saturation, my dad thought me to think like this:

"if there are 11 bakeries in town, open a 12th bakery, but be better at it the the 11."

[madmarc]

Jeez, i don't think any one said that and if that is your starting point then don't bother. 

tongue in cheek chirp dude - Its a great idea you suggest though   and will be looked into