Importance of Store Front Windows

[DCLaudromat1]

Hello all,

This is my first post and I would sincerely appreciate anyone's feedback. I am considering a store location in a town that has the "right" demographics (High pop. of renters, low-moderate income, big families) but the store itself barely has any visibility. There is only one door as an entrance and no windows! My question is, how important is it to have nice big windows for your store? I think good signage can help but would customers feel "trapped" inside my store? Would that deter potential business?

Again, thanks in advance for your thoughts and comments.

[BMWHD3060]

Originally Posted by DCLaudromat1

Hello all,

This is my first post and I would sincerely appreciate anyone's feedback. I am considering a store location in a town that has the "right" demographics (High pop. of renters, low-moderate income, big families) but the store itself barely has any visibility. There is only one door as an entrance and no windows! My question is, how important is it to have nice big windows for your store? I think good signage can help but would customers feel "trapped" inside my store? Would that deter potential business?

Again, thanks in advance for your thoughts and comments.

You don't tell us where you are, what State.
For example Bright Sunny Florida, California will be different than Maine.
With that said, I would recomend putting in some windows if not possible, make the store as Bright as possible.

[Howard]

Huge windows are a big plus to both making customers feel safe and for getting natural light and improving ambiance.

I had customers complain that they felt unsafe when some school buses started using the strip malls huge parking lot for staging for a few days as it blocked their view of the street. Landlord took care of problem right away, but it just went to show how much customers value having a view of what is going on outside.

[subati]

In my city, your signage size is dependent on you store front size. You get 1 sq ft of signage for every one linear ft of your store front. There is one very successful laundromat near me that is not very deep, but has a huge store front. They have an enormous sign that you can not miss from a very long distance.
The larger store front also makes your store a lot bigger than it actually is.

Cheers
Sudheer

[DCLaudromat1]

I am in NJ. I'll have to see what the landlord can do for me about the windows. I may just have to install more lights inside.

[DCLaudromat1]

I was not aware that there could be such limitations. I will check for that too.

[Howard]

I would check other stores in your area. Its really not a light issue, its a for a feeling of safety. Customers, especially women, will not come to your store if they don't feel safe.

[MrMachine]

Yes, if at all possible, try to open the store up with some nice big windows...

Your store may work without them, but you will definitely attract more people with big windows for a variety of reasons.
Customer perceived safety is only one.

[bodman]

Go open 24/7 tear down the whole front of the store and be an open air facility. Of course if you is one of those yankees up north that will not be feasible. COLD up there,

[Duane]

This is my front of the store at night. When the police drive by they can see the whole store......