Would you open a novelty store/"head shop"?

[George Spellwin]

Re: Novelty store/"head shop" a good biz idea?

Other than the fact that some places have law enforcement and/or citizens that dont appreciate such a business, I dont really see any big drawbacks. (My city is known for drugz, no problem here... i'll sell hundreds of "love roses")

There is always a demand for tobacco/other drugs and thus, related things that can be used to smoke them. Posters, shirts, and other novelty items can be had for cheap and marked up at high percentages.

Throw enough variety in to attract all of the social groups of todays youth and you will do good business. Marketing will be no problem either, its my specialty. I'd expect $70000-125000/yr gross for as long as I want to keep the business (which would likely be a term of 2-10 years).

Anyone here have any comments/criticism?

This has almost every negative of any business I can think of.

1. Lots of inventory.
2. Same stuff sold on the Net for much less.
3. Probably hard to get insurance.
4. Hard to get a lease.
5. Legal troubles.
6. Chances of getting rich from this are very slim.
7. Could attract a dangerous crowd.

Read what I wrote about poor Tommy Chong:
http://www.elitefitness.com/articledata/efn/020904.html