Opinions Wanted MOVING!!

blackiris

SPFG, Supreme Picture Framing God
Joined
Aug 31, 2007
Posts
10,624
Location
Sandwich, IL
Sooo not that I don't have ENOUGH going on......
Certain situations have come up in past month that has in turn lead me to the decision to MOVE my business.....

Business wise...its a GREAT move......
~My overhead will litterally be cut in half......
~I will be on a major Highway and more visable
~No more stalkers.....:D
~I will no longer be paying for the upstairs tennants utilites.....
~I will have NO BILLS to pay other than phone,insurance and rent....

I really struggled with the fact of being more DESTINATION based....as opposed to walk~by traffic....people come here for FRAMING and art classes......they don't just stroll in and pick something up to get framed. And ARTWORK does not sell. BIGGEST WASTE OF TIME ...EVER!

Sooooo I'm at the point now where I'm kinda freaking out...I have a bunch of lists going of things I NEED to do.I'm HOPING and praying I'm not forgetting something....for those of you that have moved.......WAS it successful for you?

Any advice on what to do/ what NOT to do?

I'm all ears!!!!!!

THANKS!!!!

Ps.......if anyone would like to help move super heavy stuff...Aug 28 , 29th and 30th.....I can pay you in beer and food.....also you can sleep on my couch. :D
 
Congrats on the move!!!!

The last time I moved my shop, I moved off the street, thus becoming the destination rather than a walk by. I love it! Have a huge parking lot and the people that come in are the ones that want to do business with me.

Advice:
When moving into the new place, try to unpack the items as you go, into their new home...don't just dump everything in the middle of the floor and then try to sort it out. This means you have to move the heavy stuff, equipment, tables, storage units, etc first. I know this might sound like it will take longer to move, but trust me, the move will go much faster and smoother and when your done with the last load, you are done other than a little straightening out or slight rearranging.

Wish I was closer to you as I would love to help you move.
Good luck!
 
WOW, Nicole... that did come on fast!

How soon does the moving van pull up???

:thumbsup:
 
Framing is a destination business, so good luck with the move :) main Street addresses are great (and I love mine) but they are limited in that you have no dedicated parking spaces so the 3' by 5' frames have to be carried blocks to the car. And our older customers will by pass us if there isn't parking right in front.
 
Wow, looks like the nesting instinct has kicked in already! In Nicole's case, that translates to wanting to redo the whole shop instead of just the nursery!

Take your time with the move. When we moved, we wound up having to do it in a rush since a tornado hit as we were working on our new place and FEMA wanted our old space. We never did get all the work done on the new building. Some is still not done 18 years later. And it took months to get things organized since everything was just picked up at the old place and dumped at the new.

We'll have to let you know about helping. It depends on what is going on that weekend. Best part is, you wouldn't have to put us up. We can stay at my parents and drive down to your place. I'll have to run it by Gary.
 
WOW, Nicole... that did come on fast!

How soon does the moving van pull up???

:thumbsup:

Well I've been in this spot for over 3 years......and STILL get the people that walk in and say
"I never knew there was a place like this here~!" :faintthud:

I willl be in the same COMPLEX as an Antique Shop, a Cabinet making place/show room and an insurace agency.....

I can get in the new space anytime I want....have to paint and take down icky peg board.........plus I'm thinking about putting down a wood floor if my Dad can show me how to do it. ;)

I will be open on September 1st!
 
There are wood flooring options out now that just snap together and float on top of the existing floor. No special equipment needed to nail them down with.

Yep thats what I want to do....have to see whats in the budget.....I will be having less space than what I have now.....

One good thing is I have every piece of equipment and table worked out and cut out on graph paper....so I can move stuff around to where I want before I have the guys haul in the big stuff.......
 
I don't mind traveling a little distance for a beer(FREE BEER AT THAT), but IL. is a wee bit too far :) As for your move, sounds like a perfect fit for you. In our 8 yrs. of framing we've moved twice...one moving us to another town. The 1st was forced because a bank moved into town, bought the building and wanted our space for their lobby. The 2nd was of our own choosing, allowing us to grow and expand our product and services. Each move has been tremendously beneficial. Now, we're in the perfect location, traffic...visibility...space...sales. The whole point of this: one door closes, another one opens. And as much as moving can be a pain in the a---, this sounds like your opportunity to open another door.....Go For It. Best of Luck!!
 
John Ranes ought to be able to give you lots of good tips on how to manage the transition.

Make sure you have enough money budgeted for at least 2, and preferably 3, mailings to your customers. You'll want to send them a postcard about the move before you actually move, and then again after you move, reminding them of your new location. Also, if your current landlord will agree, see if you can put up a sign in the window redirecting people to your new location.

This is a great opportunity to THROW STUFF OUT. Old moulding shorts, mat scraps, etc. Get rid of it.
 
Hey Nicole I am moving too!! And at the same time Yikes! How do you plan on working and moving? We are thinking of doing it shifts. First setting up the desing center and then moving the equipment. Best of luck!!!!!!!!
 
Hey Nicole I am moving too!! And at the same time Yikes! How do you plan on working and moving? We are thinking of doing it shifts. First setting up the desing center and then moving the equipment. Best of luck!!!!!!!!

Hmmmmm I was thinking of just closing the weekend before....trying to get everything done that I could orderwise and picked up......I'm also going to try not to promise any work out at that time!

I have a list of stuff that I dont NEED right away when I get there...paperwork that little stuff.......that I'm packing right now....
trying not to get overwhelmed......... :faintthud:
 
Here's a tip for you.

Hire Movers!

My heat press, saws and multi-cutter are heavy! Save your back and the headaches and hire movers.

Start packing now. Bundle, pack and box everything you can.

Good Luck.

P.S. I had my landlord arrange to do all the painting and new floors for me.
 
Yup me too packing up little stuff. Just waiting for the CO so the we can start bringing in little by little. My tip make friends with the antique center. We used to have an antique business and we have a lot of loyal customers from that. It was quite surpising!
 
Make sure you have enough money budgeted for at least 2, and preferably 3, mailings to your customers. You'll want to send them a postcard about the move before you actually move, and then again after you move, reminding them of your new location. Also, if your current landlord will agree, see if you can put up a sign in the window redirecting people to your new location.

Out of all of the advice you will get on this topic, this is the most important of all. How well you communicate your move and how much of your existing database you are able to carry over (because they won't all come) is the key to a successful move. Also, consider offering your current LL some $$ to keep a sign in the window until they re-lease their space. It was an article from USA today some time ago (and my mind is fuzzier nowadays than ever) but I thought I read that it was a success if 80% of your existing business followed you to a new location. So create a plan, buget for it and stick with it.
 
Oh please post some pictures of your progress!
Thanks
Megan
 
Also, consider offering your current LL some $$ to keep a sign in the window until they re-lease their space.

Under OTHER circumstances I would LOVE to do this....but since they have been screwing me for the last 3 years.....I'm just not comfortable paying them anymore $$$ than I absolutely have to....
I do have a civil case for the BACK UTILITES that I have paid for the last 3 years that they are NOT willing to rectify with me......:fire:


I have a mailing that is going to go out hopefully next week.......
I'm also going to call a number of really good customers to let them know about the new space!!!
 
Hi Nicole
I moved last year. First thing I did was have 2 4'x4' window banners printed. One stated I was moving to....; the other that my business was 'coming soon...to this location'. My old landlord wouldn't let me leave a notice in their window. Needless to say, it sat empty for 8 months. Mailings are an absolute necessity - try to get local newspaper coverage; some sort of storyline.
Good luck. Be sure to throw things out! You really won't miss those odd ball 4' lengths that you may do something with in the future :)
 
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One thing I did to keep people coming back was I printed up cards with a 25% off offer with the new stores location and the new opening date.

It looked like an invitation and apologized for the mess and invited them to be the first in the new place (with posted hours and address)

Also change your website now and let people know of the move.

Transfer phone early, it can take some time.

Cancel ALL utilities in your name a week before you close, I was charged for 7 months for the water bill because they said they couldn't find the shut off and then they wouldn't turn it off because a restaurant was using it and they didn't want to effect his business. (I said I wasn't paying for someone elses water and it got shut off)

I'll think of more.....

Bob
 
Be sure to throw things out! You really won't miss those odd ball 4' lengths that you may do something with in the future :)

HOLY COW!!! Are you reading my mind??
My basement is FULL of 4' lengths!!!!!!!!!! :faintthud:

GOOD POINT THOUGH.....need to be strong.....need to toss stuff!:cry:
 
Under OTHER circumstances I would LOVE to do this....but since they have been screwing me for the last 3 years.....I'm just not comfortable paying them anymore $$$ than I absolutely have to....
I do have a civil case for the BACK UTILITES that I have paid for the last 3 years that they are NOT willing to rectify with me......:fire:


I have a mailing that is going to go out hopefully next week.......
I'm also going to call a number of really good customers to let them know about the new space!!!

First of all, considering your current state (congrats by the way) I'd think about using other language to describe how unfair they have been.:D Don't want to give anyone the wrong impression.

Second, if you do have a civil case going (and keep in mind that I don't know how much we are talking here) offer to drop it if they'd let a sign stay in their window. Win all the way around. Unless it's for way more than you value the continued messaging. If this doesn't work out, just go to Kinkos and print about 1000 pieces of paper that state that the shop has moved, give the new address and directions from your old location and visit the space every other day and tape a new piece to the old door everytime the LL takes it down until you get a legal notice to stop.
 
First of all, considering your current state (congrats by the way) I'd think about using other language to describe how unfair they have been.:D Don't want to give anyone the wrong impression.
SNORT!!! Thanks DAD! :D
If this doesn't work out, just go to Kinkos and print about 1000 pieces of paper that state that the shop has moved, give the new address and directions from your old location and visit the space every other day and tape a new piece to the old door everytime the LL takes it down until you get a legal notice to stop.

NICE.........Paul you are EVIL.......love it!! Plus the police chief is a personal friend and knows EVERYthing thats going on! ;)
 
As to throwing stuff out, move what you are taking then hire someone to empty everything into a dumpster. This can be done cheaper then you think.
 
Make lists, lists and more lists of stuff to do...and lists of people that have EVER offered help and call them...get prices on good BBQ caterers and then a keg of beer for the movers (guy friend lackies), after its moved. and then lists off people willing to help you set up and spiff up after the move...specially as you are ...well the bun in the oven and all.

And this will be great babe, exciting times...make the best of it!!!
 
I would consider paying one more month's rent so you can put any sign in the window you want - "I have moved to ..."

Landlords that won't allow a sign when their building is empty are jerks.
 
Well I've been in this spot for over 3 years......and STILL get the people that walk in and say
"I never knew there was a place like this here~!" :faintthud:

In 30 years, you can reread this message and laugh too...... right now, it just sounds crazy but:
THAT WILL NEVER CHANGE

Shar had been in the same location, where 500 people drive by every day, 150 people walk by with their dogs.... she's between the pizza place and the best Thai restaurant in town. Saturday will be the 23rd Fremont Fest.... and at least one set of people will say "OMG! A frame shop! When did you move in?" 1982.

I managed a shop that had been between two of the most popular restaurants on Brand Blvd in Glendale, CA..... 20 years he had been there... 1,000 people walked by at lunch alone..... I stuck a 5'x5' painting of Marilyn in the window with a price tag of $780,000. 20 people a day stuck their head in to ask if that was really the price.... then of course they asked the big question 'do you do framing?' and then 'how long......'

It never will end. 3' tall letters at belly button height....

great move.
 
I moved my business last year from a major highway. I was lucky enough to have a large sign on the street and was able to leave the "moved to" message...until some drunk hit it.

I did postcard mailings to existing customers after we moved and managed to get us into the local papers several times.

We moved in a week but it took a month to finish the buildout and get things up and running. I didn't hire any help but did have some volunteers but I expanded with a slightly different business model.
Definitely advise you to allow more time than you think it will take!

The good thing is that it will all be fresh and you will throw out all the dead inventory.

Oh, an Baer is right, no matter how long you're in a location there will be folks that never knew you were there.

Good luck!
 
Opened my shop in 1982 and even with as few people I see at least once a week someone new asks "How long have you been here?"

"SINCE BEFORE YOU WERE BORN!!!!!"

:)

To the subject at hand - do what you gotta do to make sure there will be ample signage on your old business. Folks drive by, see it empty, they need a VISIBLE sign - not something scrawled by hand and taped on the outside.

IO like the idea of paying the extra month's rent - call it advertising. Very worthwhile, IMHO.

Mazel tov!
 
1. Graph all of your equipment and fixtures.
2. Graph your new location.
(I used a CAD type program for these)
3. Access electrical needs. Compare this to what is available. Just not having an outlet where you need it can be a big deal.
4. Babysit your equipment as it is moved. Move all equipment and fixtures first. Separate boxes by "workroom" and "showroom".
5. Pack matboard in empty glass boxes. It makes for boxes that aren't ridiculously heavy, and still easy to pack/unpack and keep everything in order. If you don't have enough boxes saved, call your suppliers.
6. Throw away ALL opened glass (except full sheets). Otherwise you'll move it and then throw it away, like I did. (I only moved down by two doors...if that tells you anything.)
7. Pack your corner samples up by section, especially if you're using the same displays. Dust them as you pack them. Otherwise, you're throwing dust in your new place.
8. Access your signage.
9. Get rid of "tired" pieces.
10. Contact your customers before and AFTER the move.
11. Put up "Moving to" and "Coming Soon" signs.
12. Introduce yourself to your new business neighbors. Reciprocal business can be a huge thing.
13. If you change cities, see if the mayor will do a "ribbon cutting" promo for you.
14. If you can, get all custom finished AND picked up before the move.
(Funny story here...when I moved two doors down to my new location, someone who hadn't noticed me before saw a print I had on display in my new location . I actually met her on the sidewalk, while carrying boxes). My corner samples and POS was still in the old building. So I unlocked the new building and got the print...walked it down to the old building to pick out framing...and then took it to the new building for framing. I was moved and back in business in about 48 hours. She picked up the items in the new location.)
15. Allow time to test moved equipment. Do you have a UPS on your F6100? If not, now's the time to get one. This thing weighs 700 pounds, I think, and has to be handled very carefully. Rent a truck with a lift gate...
 
I just moved to a new location 3 months ago to a place that is the center of shopping in our town from a shop in the historic district that I had been in for 5 years.

Best thing I have ever done!! I have doubled my business and I am averaging about 6 new customers a week. Even customers who had stopped coming a couple of years ago are coming back now that I am in a more convenient location.

From the start of the renovation to opening in our new space was about 5 weeks. We did what others have said to do and put things away as we went so that we didn't have everything in the middle of the floor. We took a truck load at a time, put it away and then got the next load....my husband had us work our way from the very back on the store to the front of the store so that we didn't have to carry stuff around other stuff and it made is so easy!

I have all the renovation pictures in my photo albums on my facebook page
Karen's Custom Frames, LLC. We took them week by week so that we could go back and look at the progress. You don't see how much you have accomplished until you can flip through the pictures. We did all of the renovations ourselves including laying the snap together laminate floor (which I hope not to do again anytime soon...not hard but very time consuming and hard on the knees), building a slat wall to priming and painting all of the walls.

Good luck on your move, for us it has been so amazing that I wish we would of done it sooner...but I don't know if it would have been such a success if we had with the way the economy was.

Again, good luck with everything!!
 
Just a suggestion...

"Advertise" radio, newspaper, local artist league, any school art teachers you know what ever... a Big Moving sale.
Put an ad in the the garage sale section of the paper the next three weekends "Moving sale". List picture frame moulding, picture frames, Mat board, glass, art, misc. (this ad will produce)
Have it every Saturday & Sunday till you move.
Put things on the side walk if you have to, but get it all out.
The things you are going to throw away old glass, scrap mat, 4' lenghts, everything you do not want to move Put price on them.
If they buy more than $75.00 give them 40% off if they buy $125.00 give them 50% off.
Don't be afraid to bundle things so your not making 50 cent sales.
You price things so they will sell at 50% off.
If you have small things bundle them so they have at least a $5.00 or $10.00 price.
Then the last weekend Saturday just make it 50% off everything left.

If you mark everything just $2.00 & you have a 500 items at 50% off you make $500.00 not bad moving money and you get rid of it all at the same time.

Ya and do all the other things that are suggested.....they are all good.
 
Yes, have a moving sale to get rid of whatever you don't want but be prepared to be astounded by how people behave.

Whatever doesn't sell at garage sale prices can be donated or taken to the dumpster!
 
I will be on a major Highway and more visable
but can they EASILY get into/outof??????????? a MAJOR problem with sites that are surrounded by seperated roadways ans are at corners(good for visability but horribly to get to) there is a M's in Tampa(not their most profitable site)--on the sw corner of 2 major/busy roads and NO u-turns at the light--people e/w-bound must turn S & those coming S, go 1/4 mi past the light, find the turn around, wait for a safe break in traffic(very time consuming when traffic is 'on'), turn around, fight into the outside lane, drive back that 1/4mi, turn in....NOT optimum....or they can go another 3-4 miles down that w-bound road to one that has none of these problems...I know where I'd go.


No more stalkers.....
what??? they creeps dont have cars where you are??? find a local dive and bribe 2 BIG bubbas with a case of brew to 'deal' with the stalker in an efficient/suitable mannor(on some empty/deserted country road?).....(or hope they wont follow you)



seriously, luck on you more..you'll be astounded how you got ALL that stuff in the space it's been in!!!!!!!!!! and even more amazed that it won't fit in the space you have to use. lol
 
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Ok........all great ideas guys!!!!!

Keep in mind....I'm in a SMALL TOWN of 6,000 people.......
The TALK is already going around!!

Plus there is NO WAY IN #### that I'm paying another months rent to this idiot......NEVER !!!!! I'll put a sign up in the neighbors window before I give him another dime.:fire:

I already have the key to the NEW SPACE! Sooo Excited ....but I still have to get in there and clean and paint! I'll be putting up a SIGN at the new space on MONDAY!!!

How about your POS systems and such......I've never had to move a CC machine or anything like that.....do you just call them up and say you moved? Or does it even matter!? Not a computer geek soo I have no idea! :shrug:
 
Ok........all great ideas guys!!!!!

Keep in mind....I'm in a SMALL TOWN of 6,000 people.......
The TALK is already going around!!

Plus there is NO WAY IN #### that I'm paying another months rent to this idiot......NEVER !!!!! I'll put a sign up in the neighbors window before I give him another dime.:fire:

I already have the key to the NEW SPACE! Sooo Excited ....but I still have to get in there and clean and paint! I'll be putting up a SIGN at the new space on MONDAY!!!

How about your POS systems and such......I've never had to move a CC machine or anything like that.....do you just call them up and say you moved? Or does it even matter!? Not a computer geek soo I have no idea! :shrug:

You'll want to update your address with all of your vendors and work with your CC vendor to update the "software" on your machine to reflect the correct address. As far as your POS (don't know what you have) but they can walk you through changing your address in the system. There shouldn't be anything complicated about unplugging and moving these things, just make sure that they don't end up in a moving truck, but rather wrapped and protected in someone's car (not left in the heat of a midwest summer for any period of time either). If you are running multiple POS systems and need networking you'll want to get someone to run those cables before you move into the place because it would most of the time be easier to not work around fixtures and a mess.
 
How about your POS systems and such......I've never had to move a CC machine or anything like that.....do you just call them up and say you moved? Or does it even matter!? Not a computer geek soo I have no idea! :shrug:

YOU CAN'T PAINT IN YOUR CONDITION, HAVE GREG DO IT!!! (yes I am yelling at you)

CC machine, you can move it and plug it in the same way it is now but when I moved mine I had to let them know and come by and reprogram with my new info.

Also don't forget to tell the bank you are moving.

Also let EVERY vendor know just as you close or else your shipments will go to the old place.

For the computer hook ups, if you are not a comp geek take some pictures of the cables going in and where they came out.

If that fails ask your 8 year old.

Do a huge grand reopening, get new cards now and consider the new space your new home.

I gave out our moving postcards to all of the surrounding businesses and hung smaller notices in their windows.

Don't forget to get your security back and fight if they want to keep any of it without justification.

Keep your moving sign in the window after you leave, the dope will probably take it down but he might not even care. (call the owner not the property manager about the sign, since he is a customer he might have a heart)

Rely on Greg and your friends and family, he must be a good guy for putting up with you. Don't be hesitant to ask for help.

In your condition it is way too easy to overdue it and hurt yourself and your raspberry!!! (so what if I am a little protective)

You are a strong, take no carp person. Your gonna make this look easy!!!


Bob
 
I'm going to second what Bob just said:

Don't paint in your condition!

Get family and friends to do that for you! And no supervising either! You should not be breathing those fumes even with odorless paint!

EASY THERE GUYS!! I have a WHOLE PAINTING COMMITTEE!!!
Hey, I also played RUGBY when I was prego ...... I'm not a fragile little girl ya know!

Plus there is MONDO black pegboard that needs to be taken down....and the walls have to be spackeled.....
Has anyone painted thier cieling before? The one in my currant shop is black.....eh...........I'm thinking of painting the new one like a light YELLOW color.....the walls behind my frame sample panels will be like a TEAL color........thinking floor dark brown.....;) Need to find a SALE on wood flooring.........cant be too hard to put that stuff down.......
AND did I mention......with all the repairs I'm doing.......the NEW LL is NOT making me pay a deposit! ;)
 
Rely on Greg and your friends and family, he must be a good guy for putting up with you.

OMG!!!!!! COME ON!!! I'm freaking awesome!
HE'S LUCKY to have me!


I'm the most easy~going, sweetest person you will ever meet!:D
Unless you upset me or disagree with me..........
 
I got a good price from Home Depot.

Since I needed about 1500 sqft the manager made me a deal.

If you go that route you HAVE to go on a Saturday night about an hour before closing. The manager was tired and had no fight left in him.

I even got free delivery.

Bob
 
Congrats on the move Nicole!!!

Yes, I have painted ceilings before (at home) and in a light yellow. Hold up some samples (tape them to the ceiling) before you make your final selection. You don't need much color to make an impact, and the color is very different than on wall. I went with a sand beachy yellow; just enough color to make it look warmer.

As for the dark flooring; I do love it, but it does show everything!!! I went with lighter color, laminate, yellow painted walls and red velcro for samples.
Floater floors work great; if the subfloor is level. Also, check out bamboo flooring. Much better price than wood and very sturdy. Comes in different color too and you can call yourself eco friendly too.



GOOD LUCK!!!!
 
Big Congratulations....

blackiris said:
...I already have the key to the NEW SPACE! Sooo Excited ....but I still have to get in there and clean and paint! I'll be putting up a SIGN at the new space on MONDAY!!!

Great news - Congratulations,

Get your "team" in their as soon as possible to get things started before the moving actually begins....

...How about your POS systems and such......I've never had to move a CC machine or anything like that.....do you just call them up and say you moved?

Make sure you have your phone, Internet connections in place at least a few days prior to check things out. Does your CC machine connect via phone line or Internet...you need to check on that.

How many PC's do you have networked for your POS. One or two, and it should not be a big deal....jus shut down, move, connect, reboot.

When is the actual moving weekend?

John
 
Floater floors work great; if the subfloor is level. Also, check out bamboo flooring. Much better price than wood and very sturdy. Comes in different color too and you can call yourself eco friendly too.

OHhhhh BAMBOO............would that hold up pretty well to kids art
classes yah think?? Hmmmm Wonder if Home Depot sells it.....
 
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