Bow shop/archery range, in town or out of town? Please read my post before you vote.
I need some advise guys and gals.
As some of you know and have helped in my poll questions before,I am working on opening an archery business.
I have found a building that is about perfect! It is 50x200 so I can have a 30x50 shop/retail area and still have a 60 yard(actually 59) yard range. It would also allow me to have an outdoor shooting area that I have permission to build an elevated shooting deck. It has a HUGE grass field behind it I could use for big events. The whole compound is fenced in and has a storage business,a truck supply business and some warehousing. I would be the only retail business there though.
Here's the glitch
It is 5-10 miles out of town,depending on which end of town you are leaving from. It is 3 miles south of a major Hwy,just north of another smaller town and off the blacktop,on a gravel road 1.2 miles of gravel.
Advantages as I see them
Big building, allowing for a long range.
Rent is less than in town
Cool owner,willing to work with me
Secure
Outdoor shooting area(I get to use this for free!)
Owner does all the mowing and snow removal at no charge
Room for expansion
Plenty of parking
Great for outdoor cookouts/openhouse events
In the country,almost like going hunting!
8 miles from my house
Less restrictive County zoning laws
Owner pays electric bill, I just have to pay the heat in the winter
No water bill,it has it's own well and septic system
Building is SUPER insulated
Building is air conditioned for those hot days in summer
Building is 90% ready to go,just need to install a bathroom and a few fixtures
No Non-hunters/PETA typesdriving by while we are weighing deer for contests
Disadvantages
In the country
1.2 miles on a gravel road
No "drive by" exposure to potential customers,I would need to spend more on advertising
What do you guys think?
Would you drive 5-10 miles including 1.2 miles of gravel to get there?