Country shops are excellent community spaces – when done right, at least. The best ones are places where people can buy fresh ingredients, hang out, bring their kids, and so much more. They’re best positioned just before a big vacation area, for example, just on the cusp between farmland and cottage country.
Regardless of where yours is positioned, however, if you’re struggling to get customers know it’s time to try out these top tips to help you revamp your country shop:
Refresh the Exterior
You want people to look at your country shop and think that you are in business at a glance, because often that’s all you have before they lose their chance to turn off the highway and onto your property. While signs are all well and good, you also need to consider how the exterior of your property looks as well.
This means the lawn needs to be mowed, the garden beds need to be tended to, and the barn and shop themselves need a fresh coat of paint if they were looking a bit sad before.
Make Ongoing Maintenance Easier for Yourself
Operating a farm or country shop is not easy, even if you’re sourcing your produce and products from other nearby farms and not necessarily your own. That’s why you need to invest in the tools that make it far easier to keep up with your shop’s appearance. For example, zero turn mowers can make it a breeze to keep your yard space nice and trim.
Similarly, paint sprayers or power washers can help keep the exterior of your property clean and fresh.
Invest in a Big, Big Sign
Country or farm shops are often directly off the main road or highway, which means people need time to change lanes, then slow down and get off the highway. This applies even if you’re technically on a service road.
That means you need to give people as much time as possible to make the decision to stop in. To do that, you need a huge sign. Invest in a designer to create a sign that captures your shop perfectly and invites people in while making the essential information (what you are, how to get to you, opening hours) clear as day.
Give People Reasons to Hang Out
Having a farm shop is great. Giving people reasons to stick around and spend even more money is better. You can do this by adding a café or small restaurant on site so that people coming into or out of the city can have something to eat. Even just a small café with a decent coffee maker can do wonders for your bottom line.
Another big draw is family-friendly activities. For example, you can add a small playground or even consider creating a mini golf course.
You don’t need to create, add, or manage all of this on your own, either. If there’s a successful café in town, see if the owner would be interested in opening a branch in your shop. You can also go around and find artisans in the area and offer to sell their products in your shop for a small commission.
There are so many ways to add reasons for people to visit, and stay longer. Be creative, and see what opportunities exist in your local area.
Keep an eye for more latest news & updates on Times Radar!