826CHI is a Chicago non-profit that teaches creative writing skills to kids and helps teachers inspire their students to write.
One of their fantastic fundraising strategies: They turned their storefront school into The Boring Store: No Longer Supplying Anything of Utility. Everyone in the neighborhood knows who they are and what they do. People stop on the street to take pictures. (Click the photo for a close-up.)
How many small retailers can say the same?
If people aren’t stopping in their tracks in front of your door, you’re missing the point. Close your store and start a direct mail business.
The whole reason you’re paying rent is to get people to come in and buy. Do whatever it takes to not be a boring store.
Here’s is a great example from The Guitar Store in Southampton England (photo by Glen Scott):
I love the guitar shop!
Interesting… I just visited a sister store – 826 Valencia in San Francisco last week. It’s a pirate store. They also have a superhero store in Brooklyn and several other interesting ones around the country all with the same concept and same charity.
Love the guitar store photo. What a great idea, and one that will leave a lasting impression. Just love it.