Bait shop in Hudson!?

So I must have messed up on the first try of this post so hopefully I don’t screw it up again!

As a few of you guys know I have a warehouse located in the St.Croix business center which is just about 2.5 miles from the Hudson side boat launch off of hwy 94. I was doing some wholesaleing for a while and my partner kind of fell off and screwed me over. Now I have my personal stuff in it and store some stuff for buddies.

We were gonna build out half of the warehouse for a tattoo shop, and the plans were complete and moving forward rapidly, but after some late night thinking and some poor communication I pulled the plug on that idea and decided I might just get out in June when I need to re-sign a lease or move-on.

Now I have been doing some research and trying to get an idea of what people think of this! I would love to open up a bait shop, and also do something like a sportsman’s pawn/consignment shop. I would buy, sell and trade used and new fishing equipment and hunting gear. I would sell minnows, and also large suckers, leeches etc. And of course BEER.

Obviously this a long ways out, but you have to start somewhere and this site has proven to be a bunch of great people that don’t just e-thug, and trash anyone’s ideas. I have been emailing and making calls on bait tank cost’s, and what all it would take to get this idea rolling! I would also be contacting vendors to get a decent stock of new gear!

Any questions, comments or ideas are more than welcome

Personally I’d love to see a true bait shop open in Hudosn. Right now all we have is a gas station doubling as a bait dealer near the launch but we do have a good merchandise location in the FF in town.

If you were to open a bait shop in Hudson, it is my opinion that you’ll have to be very convenient to the MN fisherman coming over to use the launch. I don’t think the WI population can sustain you. So if it’s inconvenient for the MN angler to hit your shop within a reasonable distance of the Croix, I think you’ll have a tough time.

A bait shop for instance in the strip mall where the old grocery store/now workout gym is would be ideal. Good parking for rigs, very convenient to the launch, etc. I can’t think of too many more locations that would be good.

I’ve never in my life bought or sold to a pawn shop so I don’t have any experience there and how often they are used.

I hope you can make something work that is a one stop shop in town. We need one!!

ET

Just a little bit of information for the pawn-shop side of it. Some communities have a code on the books that prevents people with a misdemeanor(or above) on their records from opening up a store that buys or sells used items. Don’t tell me why, it was just a bit of information I ran across when doing some research for a business I was looking at buying. But of course if your record is clean you are GTG!

Good Luck!

Yeah I actually have looked at about 7 different shops/locations near the main Hudson strip, and the strip mall your talking about, but to clear the overhead of one of those locations I would have to do almost 3 times the sales as the location I am in now. And also my warehouse is right off of the same exit. I know exactly what your saying, and I would have to depend on word of mouth and have the best selection around to hold down a good customer base. Also a nice big sign would be a must!

Yep, 100% clean record! And I also have some research to do about that, because I don’t want to have to wait for 90 days to sell stuff. That’s why “consignment” might be considered. All stuff to think of!!

Good luck getting a liquor sales license if you sell hunting gear (guns and ammo) or are taking in pawns… Most convenience stores that sell ammo and beer have to go through a whole heap of crap to be able to do so. Something about not mixing guns and alcohol or some bull crap like that…. its like I always say- “The ATF shouldn’t be a govt organization, it should be a convenience store!”

lol!! Yeah good point, I wonder if WI is different seeing as they let teens drink as long as a parent is with them… Cause that sounds like a great idea . At first we would be doing more of the bow hunting, and accessories just for the simple fact of keeping it simple and I know there are a ton of hoops to jump through the second you start to involve guns, and ammo.

This is Randy Here, Jeremy is fishing the Full Throttle. I have had a FFL and a liquor license at the same location for years in the past without a bit of trouble. Let me warn you though, I have been retailing sporting goods for over 20 years now and its not a picnic. Long hrs and low pay are the norm. You should have enough money to stay afloat for at least 3 years when you start. It will take that long to get established. Every one thinks they are the exeption but don’t fall for it your not! That being said, its also the best job I,ve ever had. Do all your research and keep your eyes open. Be realistic and you should be all right. Let me know if you have any questions I could help with. By the way we have 2 bait tanks we have been thinking about selling. Also have a set of home made tanks that would work for starting out. for sale cheap. Send us a pm if your interested

Awesome! I was hoping to find someone on here that I could have some “pick your brain” time with ! I am heading to the Dells tomorrow for my sons first birthday but will get in touch with you as soon as I get back online. Thanks again!