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Starting my showroom again

 

Hello, audiophiles. I would like to get your honest feedback. Back in 2022, I had to close my business in Nashville owing to a series of unexpected occurrences (several deaths in the family, a rapid move to assist my mother-in-law, and a brain operation); all of this necessitated that I close the store in a matter of weeks. It was now a two-hour trek to Nashville. I worked as a glorified gate operator at a chemical company because that is all was available in our small town. I received an opportunity to become national sales director for an audio company, which would provide some income—not much, but enough to go back into the hifi business at the bottom level.

 

 

 

So now you know the incredibly brief version of the story. Here's the question: there is a little town about 30 minutes away that is booming and gaining more expensive retailers like Ulta and StarBucks. So here's the question.

 

Do you believe a small town like that might support an up-and-coming hifi business that sells receivers, speakers like PS Audio, KEF, and other manufacturers at a lower price point until the store can handle more expensive items? The closest "electronics store," Electronics Express, is nearly an hour and a half away. I have had an audio shop since 2003, beginning in Florida. Thoughts?

 

nashvillehifi
decooney
2,341 posts
 

@nashvillehifi back to the "uniqueness" question. Offering and selling unique dealer-only items people can’t easily buy anywhere online. My local guy might fully retire out. Along the same lines last year I offered to take over his place when I semi-retire. He’s not ready, still having way too much fun there now, lol. He loves showing/selling all the unique exotic stuff he’s come up with over decades.

Several great replies here. I see and listen to unique items at this local audio dealer every time I go in there. Someone here mentioned Zengali speakers, my local has these too, along with Soundlab and more for speakers too. Great trade-ins too.

IF you are inclined to stock and offer unique items, I bet folks here could help to come up with a unique list if you are ready to bankroll it and roll the dice. I do think its a gamble for sure, but could be fun if you figure it out and step up to the plate. Easier said than done, right. Following along on your rediscovery journey. Enjoy.

 

audiokinesis
2,772 posts
 

@decooney , very interesting that your local guy carries both SoundLab and Zingali. I’m a SoundLab dealer and also the guy who mentioned Zingali... so, yeah! Nice combination! If I hadn’t started making my own speakers, I would have become a Zingali dealer.

luvtubes69's avatar
luvtubes69
74 posts
 

High end audio is a dying market. Better off playing the lotto or going to Vegas and putting it all on Black.

Post removed 
decooney
2,341 posts
 

@audiokinesis yeah mostly Audionote, Soundlab, Eminent Technology, and others to name a few. Less often I see Zengali there, and they dont sit long. He sort of special orders those i guess. I mainly check in to see what gets traded in, and admire amps and speakers there that i’ll never have room for. I was eyeballing some nice Soundlab 545s there now recently. Very nice. Someone was picking up those 106" tall x 40" wide 945s. Good grief they are massive.

There are always 3-4 guys, and sometimes wives, sitting there listening, usually vinyl playing, enjoying the music, or spending retirement savings - lol. People go there for the experience and enjoyment to decide what to purchase -vs- blind ordering online and crossing their fingers.

@luvtubes69 I would agree, high end audio is more challenged in some areas. However a few still survive and thrive keeping it alive - thankfully so.

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