What shop would you want on your high street?

[Givemestrengthorgin]

There is a empty premise for rent on our high street and I wish I had the courage to lease it and make a go of running my own business. The only problem being I don't know what I would sell! What kind of shop do you think does well on a high street? It's a mid size town with quite a few tourist visitors and the shop is in an excellent location. We already have a good book shop and ice cream/sweetie shop. Any bright ideas?

I am always drawn to a nice deli. Lovely meats, breads, olives, biscuits.

Not many private eateries on the high street these days. A nice lunch or coffee and cake from a locally run business is lacking I feel.

Well in Exeter anyway.

I was just thinking deli too.

Decorated with artwork that you can buy. And selling a few extra things like stylish greetings cards.

Sorry I should have said in my original post that we have loads of cafes already! And they are all pretty good I was thinking more of a shop that sells things - I just don't know what. One idea was a toy shop but seems impossible to compete with Amazon and Argos!

I always like a “present” shop. Cards, wrapping paper, a bit of art and some stylish/hip gifts.

Somewhere I could buy groceries ‘loose’. So I can buy exactly how much I want, and provide my own containers to minimise plastic packaging.

An independent wine/cheese/deli combo.

Versions of Oliver Bonas always seem to do well as well

A branch of Cook opened here recently. Excellent, if a little pricey, chilled and frozen prepared meals which taste like home.

If you want to think about a toy shop look at high end wood and eco friendly toys. They are rarely discounted online by more than maybe 10%, don’t tend to be on amazon or eBay and have a very loyal following (look at the wooden toy groups on FB). If you could be a stockist for Grimms, Holztiger, Ostheimer etc. and get well known on social media you could draw people from quite a distance. It probably does require you to be in a reasonably affluent area though, they are generally quite expensive. To see the type of things I’m talking about look at Myriad, BabiPur, Yes Bebe, Adams Attic, Concious Craft etc. online.

The shop I'm most excited about at the moment is what magmatic said. It's just opened nearby and is brilliant. I used to live near a chocolate shop that made everything in the shop. It smelt amazing and did gorgeous single chocolates.

Realistically only shops that sell things it's not easy to get/ get right on Amazon can make a go of it.

In the market town I live in the following appear to be doing well:
Fancy ice cream store
Mid-range homeware/ nick nack/ card shop
Deli with a few covers
Posh shoe shop
Posh baby ware shop
Top end second hand (things not clothes) shop
Specialist stationers

Things that have gone to the wall recently:
The lovely independent toy shop
Chocolate shop
The quirky but mainstream gift shop
Tapas bar
Overpriced boutique

A Zero Waste shop, where I can go along with muslin bags and buy dry goods loose from bulk bins. Also get refills of liquids like shampoo, detergent and olive oil.

A decent butchers/ deli. I'd be in heaven.

Another vote for a good card shop. People don't get to get them online, and people always need to send birthday cards e.t.c

I know you said there are cafes but perhaps you could find a niche. I like the French coffee shop where I live because the pastries and bread are good and there is a little corner with toys my daughter plays in. I think a lot of people go there for those 2 reasons- free entertainment for baby and quality produce, though the coffee is terrible.

Good luck. I hope you find something that is right for you and right for your area.

Ooh @lettherebelight where do you live?

Thanks everyone for all the responses and great suggestions. The zero waste shop is a super idea and I reckon would go down really well in our town which is quite affluent. And I've always fancied a fruit and veg shop which could tie in with that too. Food for thought (no pun intended). If I could sell branded reusable cloth bags etc that would appeal to tourists too.

I would like a proper farmers produce market. Our town used to have one but they closed it down a few years back and turned it into a all you can eat Chinese restaurant

We've got this amazing shop where I'm from it just sells stuff- it's actually called Stwff- really lovely things like scarfs, candles, make up bags, bags- but all really good quality. It's always busy and seems to be doing really well. It's my favourite place!

Craft beer shops are a good one, stock that preserves well and a customer base willing to spend a fair bit.

A really nice bakery!