| Let's face it, times are tough, and although a rescue | | | | can save on shipping costs and shipment time for |
| boat is on the horizon, we're all stuck on "Recession | | | | replacement parts. If you're getting fabric upholstery, be |
| Island," a place where consumers are cutting their | | | | sure to get a marine-based fabric, a water-resistant |
| spending and watching their pennies. As a nightclub or | | | | material that will safeguard your seating area from |
| bar owner you have to assume that same mindset | | | | spilled drinks, thereby increasing the useful life of your |
| when it comes to building or renovating your | | | | furniture and cutting replacement costs. |
| establishment. In tough times you as an owner should | | | | 3) The hardware store is your friend. Home Depot and |
| take the time to do the research and get your hands | | | | Lowe's are an amazing resource that few bar and |
| dirty and perform some of the installation. I know that it | | | | nightclub owners utilize. I highly recommend visiting |
| does not sound pleasant, but every dollar you save | | | | these hardware meccas when you're trying to save |
| goes directly into your pocket. Here are five money | | | | some cash on items like lighting and hardware (which |
| saving ideas for cost-effective renovations. | | | | can get pretty pricey). At the end of the day no one |
| 1) You must eliminate as many middlemen as possible. | | | | will ever know where you got these items. |
| When building a bar or nightclub it is important to | | | | 4) Get a reseller license. When filing for a business |
| remove as many hands out of the cookie jar as | | | | license you can kill two birds with one stone and get a |
| possible. Go to décor conventions or industry | | | | reseller license, which will help you get discounted |
| trade shows like the Nightclub & Bar Show is Las | | | | pricing from wholesalers. In addition a reseller license |
| Vegas or The Bar Show in New York. Trade shows | | | | allows you to buy items like floors or tiles wholesale |
| are a great resource for learning about new and | | | | and avoid paying contractors a 20% fee for the same |
| innovative products as well as money saving | | | | job. Also, resellers don't get charged sales tax, which |
| strategies. In addition, going to trade shows will allow | | | | can be over 8% of the purchase price. |
| you to meet wholesalers and manufacturers that will | | | | 5) Always Negotiate. Remember, in tough times when |
| offer heavily discounted prices compared to (for | | | | companies and individuals cut their spending the |
| example) nightclub designers, who purchase items | | | | purchase power of each dollar increases as goods |
| from these same wholesalers and then mark them up | | | | and service providers compete to attract the same |
| 300% before selling them to you. Buying directly from | | | | consumer. You can and should negotiate the price of |
| the manufacturers can save you a fortune. | | | | any goods or services you need (contractor fees, rent |
| Remember to buy from a reputable wholesaler of | | | | for your space, food and beverage etc...). Always |
| manufacturer, that way you can be sure that product | | | | keep in mind that goods and service providers want to |
| is kept in stock and damaged pieces can be easily | | | | stay in business as badly as you do and your business |
| replaced. Auction houses and refurbishing stores also | | | | means more to them now than it did two years ago, |
| deserve a look. You can find them through internet | | | | when everyone was flying high. So don't be afraid to |
| search engines or in a phone book. | | | | ask for price breaks. |
| 2) What if you want to have your furniture custom | | | | Starting any business is difficult and costly, which is |
| made? Getting your furniture custom made is a more | | | | especially true for a nightclub or bar. I hope that these |
| expensive than commercial models. But, if you have a | | | | money saving tips and ideas will help you save money |
| vision and nothing else will do, you should make sure | | | | when opening, building or remodeling your |
| that your custom furniture is made locally so that you | | | | establishment. |