Invest In A Cool Business
I asked Percy what it would take to get the expansion off the ground and the figure surprised me. “A bare minimum investment would be $50,000. I get 5-10 calls a week during the warmer months… people looking for the newer models… you know, the basic hop on and go rides. With the price of gas… and of course Global Warming concerns, this is the type of businesses that is flourishing in cities like Detroit and Cleveland. The Genuine Scooter Company based out of Chicago has been prompting me to get into the modern, shifting Stella scooter models and the twist ‘n go automatics. But in order to move forward I need a partner who believes that Downtown Buffalo is in need of a scooter shop.”
National scooter sales have jumped 250% throughout the country over last three years. And the number of scooter owners is growing. Percy also thinks that Allentown is ready for a scooter shop… or even Elmwood. A shop in a progressive commercial district would most likely thrive. “A new scooter runs $1400 all the way up to $5000,” he told me. “I won’t sell bikes any cheaper… those bikes break down easily and are impossible to fix. It’s a fun business, you meet great people and there are there are scooter clubs in Buffalo that organize group rides… this is definitely a lifestyle business. The City should be promoting the scooter culture for a number of reasons… parking issues alone! There should be designated parking spots or allowances for scooter parking – other cities are already way ahead in this regard.
If you know of anyone looking to get into a cool new business that has the potential do grow… drop Percy a line. And let’s hope that the city can land a cool new scooter shop.
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Comment Options
Laramy
Sweet! If there's any investors reading this post, I am a satisfied and ongoing customer of Buffalo 66 and I see more business headed the scooter way with gas at $3.50+/gallon. Best of luck Percy!
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PaulBuffalo
I had two scooters when I lived in Buffalo and I think the city is the perfect environment for this type of travel. My larger scooter was highway legal, so I rode it on the Scajaquada expressway and all the local roads. Cold winter weather didn't stop me, either, as long as I dressed warmly. My larger scooter got about 50 miles per gallon and parking was easy. I would recommend that any scooter or motorcycle rider take a motorcycle safety training course because it offers important safety perspectives that can save your life. It also reduces your insurance premium.
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TownLine
Awesome! I would definitely get one of these when and if I have a garage. Any chance rentals would be offered as well??
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Hoss
Yup, Buffalo is gonna be the next Williamsburg. Our fair city is the perfect town for Scootering. At least half the year that is. I'd love to see more of these around town. Especially the folks that trick out the old Italian ones with a multitude of rear-view mirrors. Best of luck.
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stephenjames716
I would love to get a scooter for the spring/summer/fall months. I try to walk as much as I can, but for those extra long distances a scooter would be awesome.
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GDC
Have you looked at the 700 block of Main Street for space? In my mind, I can picture such a shop on that block.
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al-alo
how 'bout the old parkside pharmacy on Parker. lots of big glass windows.
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scsa35
Might I suggest the old "Fleet Feet" store on Elmwood?
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Vylit
Awesome! Last year I test drove the Smart for Two when it came to Buffalo...almost as a joke. Almost a year later, I feel like popular opinions as to trendy modes of transportation has really changed. We are just starting to think the way Europe was about 10 years ago. They have progressive auto taxes that essentially penalize people for not thinking Earth-friendly when considering their cars. In fact, I believe that I heard somewhere (CAFE law I think...) that all newly purchased US autos will have a minimum acceptable MPG in order to be registered. Great to see a business like this looking to expand in Buffalo!
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icecreamsub
watchout grunge,the mod lifestyle is now coming to buffalo....speaking of the old parkside pharmacy, I see that Checkers has opened up a new dinner club next door serving kobe tube steak.
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RisingDamp666
Everyone in Buffalo will be clamoring for new scooters! The question is, will they want a "Jazzy"? Or would they rather choose a "Hoverround"? In the commercials at least, the Hoverround made it all the way to the Grand Canyon....."Vespa"? What the hell are those?
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PunkNPi
TownLine - you don't need a garage! I lock mine to my front porch railing and have never had a problem.
I love my scooter, and Percy does a great job - let's keep him and his business in Buffalo!!!!
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MJWorthington
Make the dedicated spaces for all motorized two-wheel parking. I've been suggesting it for years. At least in the warmer months. People want destinations to ride thier motos to and then spend thier disposible income. Dedicated parking would go a long way to bringing in these dollars. No one locatily I know around here offers that. Might as well gain the monopoly on it.
As far as mpg, my last 600cc sportbike for 55mpg while still doing 0-60 in 3.5sec. You can be gas thrifty and still have a load of fun too. ;)
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gman
The Fleet Feet spot is way overpriced. He needs a cool storefront that is easily accessible to the street so you can buzz in and out with your scooter.
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gman
The Fleet Feet spot is way overpriced. He needs a cool storefront that is easily accessible to the street so you can buzz in and out with your scooter.
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TownLine
I don't have a porch either! I'm in a large building. Theres really not a place for it other than the street.
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Vylit
Does Percy only want to bring in a partner to raise capital? I would think that there would be some local business bankers that would be interested in financing this type of deal. Upside to bank financing is that Percy won't lose any control by bringing in a partner. Downside, of course, is that the debt will need to be repaid because the bank will presumably need a personal guarantee in addition to its corporate security interests if it is a new business.
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lizzyb
Gas storage. Percy needs a shop that will allow a minimal amount of petrol storage so he can operate this scooter shop. Another technician to get the product tight and out the door. One person doing all the repairs is crazy difficult. A lot of scooter of shops are "boutique" style. We have enough boutiques in the city, a good clean store that displays the scooters has a good picture window so potential buyers can window shop and a deep sidewalk the scooters can be parked out front during business hours. Percy has an excellent vision of what he'd like to accomplish. We know he knows scooters in and out. Buffalo 66 can be the coolest shop in the city if for nothing else it will provide airconditioned hight gas mileage vehicles. Yeah we're friends. This is totally biased and I want him to succeed. Buffalo 66 scooters are the anti Hummers. I'm glad he's inviting investors to take part in this venture. Good luck Pokes. Thanks for fixing my tail light tonight. Being invisible on the S Curve is scary for motorists behind me I'm sure. Oh and always remember to smile and wave when you see us. We love it. Ciao bella. vrooooooooooooooom beep beep. Oh and to the fellow who saw my black mitten fly off the back of my Stella on Delaware.Thanks.
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