Monroe Chat

If you had a choice of a new business to locate in Monroe, which would you be more apt to shop at:

A pet supply store
A laundromat with drop off service

What other business would you like to see in town? Please ask this same question of your friends and neighbors. We value your opinion!

I'd like to see a laundomat where I could drop off my pet's clothes to be cleaned.

Posted this on the Voice too. Don't know how many crossovers there are...
I don't know that a laundromat would be very succesful around here. They do well around dense populations: apartments, dorms, multi-fam dwellings, etc. the places where there isn't room for a washer/dryer in the living area. You just don't see too much of that around Monroe. Monroe Dry Cleaners is the closest I can think of, and talking to him he's not struggling but he's also looking for more revenue streams.
Talking to my neighbor's a pet supply store, NOT a chain there's enough Petsmarts, Petlands, etc. but a place that could focus on clients and education with fresh/saltwater fish, and provide dog/cat grooming, boarding and advice, not as specialized as a vet but more attention then a min wage 16 year old gives. We all like Jack's, but would go to a local pet store. That seems like a real opportunity.

I'd also like to see more specialty stores, I know they're hard to build now-a-days with the Wal-Marts, Home Depots and Staples using volume not service.

Craft Brewery
Beer, Coffee, Wine making Supplies
Bike Shop
Hobby/Arts and Crafts
Golf Store
Sewing/Quilting Supply
Video Game sell/return - NOT the Gamestops that overcharge and underpay
Urgent Medical Care
Pet Store
Donut Shop and or Bakery
Home Electronics Store with installation services this includes home theatre, computer network and camera surveillance.
Handyman/Paint Shop/Locksmith
HoneyHam/Hickory Farms combo store
Seafood Shop - too far from the ocean to really trust one though
Mattress Store
Drug Store
Baby Store
Plus Sized Clothing Store
Jeweler
Trophies and Awards Store
Photo Studio

A butchers shop - I know that we have a couple of stores within close proximity that sell meat but a real honest to goodness butchers shop I think would do real well.

My cousin was a Butcher, naturally they carried the meat, all fresh and cut to order, but also a large portion of there earnings was made by the pies, sausage rolls, Cornish pasties, etc that they had made daily in the store, I .

Personally, I would be very happy to see this in Monroe.

Secondly, a book store, maybe even a half price, exchange type of deal - possibly not everyone's cup of tea, but I'd be a happy girl

Patey, I've often thought that a half-priced/discount bookstore would be a great addition to Monroe.

My wife and I have been working on plans to bring one of the stores listed to the Kroger plaza. Of course it is very hard to get financing for a small business.

Oooooh, which one ????

I'm going to keep quiet for now so no one can get money before me.

HRHPatey wrote:Oooooh, which one ????

Understood! - Good Luck and keep us posted

I posted mention of this in the food section but I thought I'd elaborate....


Wife and I are drafting plans to open restaurant/general store that focuses primarily on gluten free/celiac friendly foods. A lot of the pre-made stuff is disgusting and mostly inedible (unless you are to the point of starvation I suppose) and we have experimented with different substitutes and make gluten free stuff at home that tastes like regular food. We also find that home made stuff is significantly cheaper than buying in stores...

So our theory was to open a place to serve this great food and make it safe for the surprisingly high number of celiac sufferers in this area.

The general store would offer some of our ingredients as well as things to make home brews, coffee supplies, and other "specialties".

Like I said, we're in the draft stages. We may even start it as a mail order type of thing from home. I'll keep updates listed here, but I think Monroe would be a great place to do this, what do you guys think?

awesome idea...I know several people who are affected with this disease. Right now they tend to go to Jungle Jim's for "specialty" items.

Jungle is wonderful for this stuff!!!

However, along with most of their stuff, it's outrageously priced.

What sucks is so much of it really is gross, and for the price its a bummer to get home and throw the stuff away.

A lot of flours are made using garbanzo beans...which is so overpowering it makes everything taste like burnt plastic...no kidding. Interestingly, Betty Crocker just rolled out four mixes that are gluten free, priced like regular mixes, and taste like regular mixes. My wife was in tears eating them, they really are good.

Gotta love the Jungle. I searched everywhere for blue corn meal and they were the only ones that carried it.

I never gave a single thought to a bookstore. And I LOVE bookstores. I could be in Borders or B&N for hours. Ok, time to rethink the plan. Keep throwing those book ideas at me. What else would you like to see at a bookstore?

<thumping myself> newspapers, magazines, books. The only thing that scares me is Wilkies and Readmore did go out of business. OH - but we could have an in-store cat, like Dewey from the library!

I used to work next door to a bookstore that carried new books (Duh!) but also had an exchange programe! I swear I spent more hours in there ......

Along with books (paper) availability for audio books, newspapers (if not physical then online - a computer would be an idea!!)
Reading section - occasionally I would visit the library for research then become immersed in a book (hard to do standing up ) comfy chairs, coffee pots ..... oooh I'm all a jitter

Fax / copy facilities ~ for those engaged in research and need to scan and email papers ?

Book club - there are SO MANY readers in Monroe (assuming you are thinking local) could you imagine the opportunities for a wee reading club ??$#@$#@

Maybe even a 'movie of the week ' type deal - based upon a best selling book - bring the Family back to literature - read the book, watch the movie......

New thought ..... a theme night ... ie:

Harry Potter - audio, paperbacks, video - all Harry Potter - advertised as a Family event

Shakespeare - same deal but with a flair ........ hehheee

Cover the greats, poets, authors, screenplays, etc....

Also local activities .....ever heard of a 'pub quiz' (kind of trivial pursuit but in a pub LOL) how about a weekly 'Book quiz' advertise and request that everyone bring a dessert or a dish etc.... then (depending on the topic : adult/ child/ Family literature) have a quiz to suit - great way to encourage reading, yet a fun activity with little to no expense (sort of!! LOL)

Still thinking ...............