New Store Owner looking for help!

[hockeyizlife94 0]

i have worked at a pro shop for a year in my local rink, and my boss who had no idea to run a business decided to shut down. my old man, who is already a successful bussiness owner is taking it over. we are looking for a good supplier to get our supplies from like tape, laces, etc... my old boss used A&R for all the little things that are needed in a small pro shop, any other suggestions? my personal preference in tape was always jaybird so im going to try and get that.

also we need to pick up a machine and we have several options. someone in the area has a CAG one for sale, but i am going to stay away from that. i dont care how good or bad it can sharpen skates, i prefer doing it myself because i dont want to trust a machine when i know i can do a good job. i believe we are going to get the portable blademaster with the switching head for a cross grinder for around $2000 used with the holder. any other suggestions?

[furlanitalia 1]

Get FBV sharpenings. I wish it was more available where I live.

[althoma1 575]

+1 on Blackstone Flat Bottom V (FBV) sharpenings.

[VakarLajos 5]

FBV is definitely a good option. How much traffic is there at the rink?

[Ivan 1]

i have worked at a pro shop for a year in my local rink, and my boss who had no idea to run a business decided to shut down. my old man, who is already a successful bussiness owner is taking it over. we are looking for a good supplier to get our supplies from like tape, laces, etc... my old boss used A&R for all the little things that are needed in a small pro shop, any other suggestions? my personal preference in tape was always jaybird so im going to try and get that.

also we need to pick up a machine and we have several options. someone in the area has a CAG one for sale, but i am going to stay away from that. i dont care how good or bad it can sharpen skates, i prefer doing it myself because i dont want to trust a machine when i know i can do a good job. i believe we are going to get the portable blademaster with the switching head for a cross grinder for around $2000 used with the holder. any other suggestions?

I would call Blackstone Sports and see if they have a demo or used professional portable Spinner on which you also will be able to do the FBV

[Drewhunz 3]

Can't recommend Blackstone enough.

[Ogie Oglethorpe 14]

Where's the JR weigh-in? That's where that sort of question should start and end.

[JR Boucicaut 3810]

He doesn't want to hear what I have to say about the hockey industry and small stores, especially in Detroit.

Where's the JR weigh-in? That's where that sort of question should start and end.

[Ivan 1]

i have worked at a pro shop for a year in my local rink, and my boss who had no idea to run a business decided to shut down. my old man, who is already a successful bussiness owner is taking it over. we are looking for a good supplier to get our supplies from like tape, laces, etc... my old boss used A&R for all the little things that are needed in a small pro shop, any other suggestions? my personal preference in tape was always jaybird so im going to try and get that.

also we need to pick up a machine and we have several options. someone in the area has a CAG one for sale, but i am going to stay away from that. i dont care how good or bad it can sharpen skates, i prefer doing it myself because i dont want to trust a machine when i know i can do a good job. i believe we are going to get the portable blademaster with the switching head for a cross grinder for around $2000 used with the holder. any other suggestions?

This http://blackstonesport.com/product_details.cfm?product_id=44 will still do a better job than

this: http://blademaster.ca/products.asp?id=110

All Blackstones have a ceramic/teflone table-top. Basically, no maintainance needed for 'em

[Chadd 916]

I think my advice would be pretty similar at this point.

He doesn't want to hear what I have to say about the hockey industry and small stores, especially in Detroit.

Where's the JR weigh-in? That's where that sort of question should start and end.

[Krev 86]

+1 on Blackstone Flat Bottom V (FBV) sharpenings.

This.

Sharpenings, tape, and mouthguards are your bread and butter. At least in my limited experience. B)

[goodguy 7]

Blackstone all the way - but be sure you can eventually convert it to FBV spinner. Charge a bit extra for FBV sharpenings.

Besides they are pretty close to you (over in CA), maybe you can get with them and find out some options. Maybe you can find a decent used machine.

Elite has a pretty nice display I saw over at Artic Pond which has all their laces and now they are carrying the "Ultra Skate Guard" which I had a hard time finding before (the BEST skate guard ever made IMO). Kids want all the different lace colors now so Elite gets that right - get the colors of your local teams and you will sell a ton.

Carry some of those clear gel pads figure skaters use to fix blister spots too.

And carry water bottles - Coaches are always breaking/losing those.

Howies Tape seems to be everywhere now.

Some suggestions form a Hockey Parent.

[shotty 7]

Get FBV sharpenings. I wish it was more available where I live.

who has it in vancouver?

[furlanitalia 1]

Hockey Shop. I think they charge 7 bucks though for it.

[shotty 7]

Hockey Shop. I think they charge 7 bucks though for it.

surrey? gag.

not worth it. my cars have never been to surrey and i am NOT sitting on a skytrain for a skate sharpening. $7 isn't too bad though. a couple stores in NV charge $6

p.s. how are your ribs? you've missed nearly half the season and you're still 2nd in scoring.

[furlanitalia 1]

Not to hijack the thread but still sore. Better, but little things still kill. And those little things are a long list.

As for the OP, some other things I've needed in a pinch has been coaching/reffing stuff. Once had to buy a whistle on the spot when i forgot mine at home. Pucks would probably be a good bet as well, along with skates socks and all the little stuff. Find it rare that anyone buys gear from those shops, unless nothing else is around.

[jrhky36 1]

He doesn't want to hear what I have to say about the hockey industry and small stores, especially in Detroit.

Where's the JR weigh-in? That's where that sort of question should start and end.

some are ok. just not the two you worked at. the first esp.

[JR Boucicaut 3810]

Joe, actually, no. They're all struggling.

Name me a store in the area that has been in business more than 5 yrs that hasn't closed down stores, changed ownership or isn't in financial trouble.

The Detroit market is saturated. And nobody is buying anything.

[DarkStar50 680]

This is not the time to open a new shop in this economy and especially in Michigan. I had a guy a few weeks ago in the shop thinking of buying a rink pro shop in another state. He had that look in his eye like it was a good idea. We tried to give him some solid advice but until you are on my side of the front counter behind the register, you really have no idea what goes on to run a shop. It may look like fun but it's a business, plain and simple. And you have a lot, a lot of competition in this business.