Need advice and input from all members!

[T99Ford]

I have been thinking recently about starting a new venture. It is in the early stages, and I am just putting it all together in my mind. All of your help and info would be appreciated!
Last fall, I visited the Ace Cafe in London. I ride a cafe'd XS, and love the whole culture surrounding the sport. I was somewhat inspired visiting the old Ace, and have thought about trying to start something like that here in MT. Obviously, there are concerns: We can only ride bikes here 8 months out of the year normally. Second, there is virtually no cafe representation at all here. Third, the Rocker culture is only for a few.
So, I modified my idea a little. I have an idea to make a place that is very pro motorcycle, regardless of style. It would also support cars and many motorize sports. It would be pro family, but would serve beer and have some events (mostly late night) which would have reasonable age limits. Food would be simple cafe type food, but would be good quality. This is mainly because it is not a restaurant, but a venue to show off your hobby and hang with friends. It would provide an environment to allow guys and gals who are passionate about bikes/ cars/ motorsports to gather over a burger and discuss their hobbies even if (and especially when they can't) ride their prides and joys. It would be located outside city limits, to allow it to be a "destination", since the first question anyone asks at the start of a group ride is,"So, where are we going to go?" It would also sponsor live music (most genres), shows as the weather allows, and similar events. But mostly, it would provide a venue to show off the specific hobbies that we all enjoy.
My question to you all is: What do you look for in a destination bike venue/ hang out? Do you think something like this could fly?

Thanks for all the input!

[XSokieSPECIAL]

I'm going to do some thinking about this buddy.

Sounds like a good idea but it's not Europe and you'll have to cater to the college kids there in Bozeman.

That will be your main clientele.

[DiverRay]

Do a check on http://www.alicesrestaurant.com/. IT is a VERY popular spot on the crossroads of some fun roads. The good food and bikes keep people riding back for more. This is probably the type of thing you want to set the game plan to.
Good luck, and IF you can build it, we will try and get out to see it!

[tarzan]

Hey t71ford,

There is a place like that here.It's not in Spokane but across the stateline in Post Falls, Idaho.A few hours from you.Actually two places about5 miles apart.One is called Cruisers and has a drive through bar.You can drive right through the middle and burnouts are ok after you exit the other side.You can hang outside or in the salloon.
That place is packed.All kinds of different bikes too.A few cars also.

Then down next to the Hot Rod Cafe is Easy Rider which is a Motorcycle
apparel store.There is a live band usually and lots of bikes.All kinds including cool customs and stuff.There is usually a couple vendors and of course alcohol is served.This one is primarily outside.

You should ride over on a Thursday afernoon during the season.They call it
Thunder Thursday.

That would be cool if you created a place like you are talking about over in Montana.I know a lot of riders from this area would definitely make that one of their riding destinations.And there are a lot of riders around here.

On the flip side.How much business would a guy need to generate to keep it going.Montana is a big place, but fairly sparsely populated.

Anyway, food for thought.
Rick

[CatatonicBug]

As I never frequent places like that, I don't really know what the "good" ones have. One thing that might get my attention though is something of a museum or atifact display, for vehicular history. Historical pictures, old clothing, parts and things on the walls or hanging from the celing might be cool.

[T99Ford]

Thanks for all the input guys! Please keep it coming, as I have alot of planning to do. I think it would be a blast to meet all the people that would come through, and see all the toys that would come along!

[XSokieSPECIAL]

Ace Cafe Vidios

Don't know if you've seen this before but I came across this when I was looking around for stuff for you.

http://www.google.com/search?q=ace+c...rlz=1R2GZAZ_en

These guys are nuts.

Really hard on tires and equipment too.

[tw1980]

Before you start spending your hard earned money and poor your heart and soul into this thing,I would recommend you read a book called The E Myth by Michael Gerber.4 out of 5 restaurants fail.It's a tough business,but I like your idea.I hope this works out for you.I for one would make it a point to visit there.

Terry

[ManitoulinLad]

Hey T71Ford: I haven't been to it yet but would like to in near future. What your talking about is in Southern Ontario Canada at this website www.haugensbbq.com I won't get into what they do etc., if you check out the website it pretty much states what your talking about. This place was also highlighted & a story done it by Canadian Biker magazine awhile back. Hope your idea goes though as places like these are cool. - Dan

[T99Ford]

Manitou: That is exactly kind of the idea I am looking at! I was not going to go for BBQ, but I I did have a cool idea once. There was a crematory here that built a new adobe style building here. They were only open about a year, and then closed. The building went up for sale. I thought it would have made a cool bike bar, I was going to call it "Ashes to Ashes and serve real pit BBQ! My wife told me it wouldn't fly...I was going to use a hearse for a sign and everything.

Terry: I read the same statistic once. I am pretty cautious about this, and it will be a few years in the planning before I take the plunge. I am really concerned about the 4 months here that are for reals winter where you can't bike and won't drive your collector car. More importantly, I am not sure if there is enough interest or the people demographic here to support something like this. It is going to need a lot of research. I am just kind of feeling out the places that are doing this now, so that I can study them. Thanks for your help and advice!

[DiverRay]

Keep the game plan simple, and PLAN for your four month "vacation". If you do something the LOCALS like, and are willing to bring the family to, you should be able to make it. Have the bikes and cars, but START with the food! Good food at a reasonable price will keep a place open when the wizz-bang stuff wears off. Work on the family side FIRST, as that is what will keep you open year-round!
JMHO, and worth every cent it cost you!
And I DO hope you give it a try. I was through that area June 2006, and I WOULD have stopped at someplace like you are talking about.

[tw1980]

Sounds like you're playing it smart Ford.I always stress caution and research and preparation before someone starts a business.But the last thing I want to do is discourage someone from making their fortune!I would have never guessed that people would pay $5.00 for a cup of coffee or $1.50 for a bottle of water.Good luck!!!!

Terry

[Brent]

info

Keep the game plan simple, and PLAN for your four month "vacation". If you do something the LOCALS like, and are willing to bring the family to, you should be able to make it. Have the bikes and cars, but START with the food! Good food at a reasonable price will keep a place open when the wizz-bang stuff wears off. Work on the family side FIRST, as that is what will keep you open year-round!
JMHO, and worth every cent it cost you!
And I DO hope you give it a try. I was through that area June 2006, and I WOULD have stopped at someplace like you are talking about.

I am in agreement with Diver Ray.
From what I have seen, Successful people in businesses like that work hard, AND most especially during the good riding weather. Days off come during rain & cold.

This place has excellent food and is LOCATED at the intersection of 2 great twisty motorcycling roads in Suches, GA. He has been open seasonally for years and also has 4 or 5 rooms to rent & camping.

www.twowheelsonly.com

[T99Ford]

Give me your input on this

I was searching around and found this place:

http://motopiacafe.com

For those of you who live in Dallas, you might already know about it. This is almost EXACTLY what I had in mind. I was envisioning maybe a little less Euro, but not much less. The food, beverage, and service combination is perfect.

If any of you have been there, let me know, or, just let me know what you think of the place.

Thanks!

[79XS11F]

It would be nice to have a place that caters to bikers and serves up simple good food and drink while chit chatting about bikes and bike related topics.
It's a good idea but has some pitfalls. I'm not sure how things tend to work out in your neck of the woods but around here the bikers or motorcycle enthusiast sort of just pick their own place to hang out. It might be a large parking lot with a free standing donut shop in the corner or some other place to buy light snacks, coffee, drinks and make use of a bathroom. The problem is that as the location become popular the A**holes begin to show up. They tend to RACE at high speeds up and down the access streets, in the parking lot, do wheelies all over the place, rev the piss out of their bikes and pretty much become enough of a nuance that the POLICE start hanging out there too. Once that happens the numbers of bikers who show up decreases quickly until there is only a hand full on occasion. The bulk of the bikers will have moved on to another location until it is burned out as well.
So, if your place of business is in a fixed location you might not do as well as you might think even for what seems like a very good idea.
I think the only way to cash in on the revering gang of bikes is to be able to follow them around from oner hang out to the next. and that isn't going to be easy unless your running a well equipped chip ship with a bathroom and a LARGE holding tank. In our fine city there is an organized weekly show and shine where food and drinks are sold but that's only a once a week for a few hours venue so not so good ether.
Rob