While watching the unbelievable Sabres’ comeback at Jack Devine’s on Chippewa last night, a couple of us began to think of a few market studies that Medaille College should conduct. Already, the college has been instrumental in establishing a second location for a men’s clothing store (Get Dressed Downtown) as well as a sole location for a start-up women’s clothing store (The Jenny Shop). In just a couple of years the Medaille MBA program helped to bring two retailers to downtown Buffalo… that’s quite an accomplishment.
The MBA students have already begun to brainstorm on their own regarding future projects… and developer Rocco Termini has them working on a study for a downtown public market. The other evening Rocco asked the students what sort of businesses they envisioned being successful and… well, I can’t tell you what they came up with because chances are some of the ideas might become reality.
So without giving away their ideas I thought that we could give them some of ours. I like the idea of tapping into existing suburban businesses that don’t have a city presence. One of the first ones that came to mind was Stereo Advantage outlet. In order for The Advantage Company’s Smart Office+... video conferencing technology, custom conference tables, smart glass, etc. The company’s downtown presence could be a catalyst to expand into stereo and computers at a later date. I also liked the idea of having a Smart Car or hybrid car dealership situated on one of empty lots… maybe a glass-enclosed showroom of some kind. Think of all the businesspeople that might test-drive a car during lunch hours. The third idea was inspired by commentor ‘dpbflo’ who recently asked, “Why the hell is there no Ted’s in the city? I remember one being over by LaSalle Park when I was a kid… I think they need to invest in Buffalo again.” I agree. I still can’t believe that there’s no Ted’s downtown. And finally… Dick’s Sporting Goods. I think that there is a real need for a sports store for golfers, tennis players, joggers, soccer players, skaters… maybe a satellite store that caters more to the businessperson who does not have time to spend a day at the mall on any given Saturday.
Those are my four picks for Medaille MBA market studies, what are yours?