Monthly Archives: March 2025
Will trendy axe throwing and escape room businesses last? More experience-based retail: the Hat Bar
Continuing the discussion on experience-based businesses, what happens after everyone in town tries it? Do these businesses go away? Sheila Scarborough posed the question this way: How do all these axe-throwing and escape room places think they’re going to stay in business past a few years? Main Street Expert Jackie Wolven weighed in: In a […]
Continuing the discussion on experience-based businesses, what happens after everyone in town tries it? Do these businesses go away?
Sheila Scarborough posed the question this way:
How do all these axe-throwing and escape room places think they’re going to stay in business past a few years?
Main Street Expert Jackie Wolven weighed in:
In a tourist community they might be ok if they keep it fresh. But like any small biz, if they aren’t making money they will close and move onto something else.
I was also thinking with the current popularity of shows like Game of Thrones, Last Kingdom and Outlander… the axe throwing probably is a cultural phenomenon. And the true crime fandom is just as rabid which might be driving escape rooms.
The Hat Bar: customize your own hat
We’ve talked before about the candle bar in Bellefontaine, Ohio.
Get your own custom western hat in Caldwell, Kansas. Photo via Rustic Longhorn Co facebook page.
In Caldwell, Kansas, there’s a retail business called Rustic Longhorn Co. that features a hat bar. I had to ask what a “hat bar” even was. They sell hats you can customize on site. Pick a cowboy hat or trucker cap. Pick your hat band, patches or other decorations. Assemble your personalized hat right there in the shop.
Won’t people get tired of making hats?
But how many customized hats does this town really need? They do get a lot of western-theme tourism, so it may have staying power.
When everyone in town has enough hats, they can swap it out for a new experience later. The store as a whole remains, even as the experiences change.
Every small town business has to work at keeping their offerings fresh and relevant.
Advertising the hat bar in the window draws in new customers for the Rustic Longhorn Co. in Caldwell, Kansas.
Create customer experiences online like Open the Shop With Me videos, and in person, like Silent Book Club
When Kathleen Minogue of Crowdfund Better mentioned Common Ground Coffee and Market to me, I found their Instagram feed was full of stealable ideas for small business social media marketing. We first talked about how they let customers know about changes to their hours. They’re in Boise, Idaho, which I realize is not a small […]
When Kathleen Minogue of Crowdfund Better mentioned Common Ground Coffee and Market to me, I found their Instagram feed was full of stealable ideas for small business social media marketing.
We first talked about how they let customers know about changes to their hours.
They’re in Boise, Idaho, which I realize is not a small town. I promise I wouldn’t share ideas unless they also worked for small town businesses.
These ideas are perfect for coffee shops, gaming businesses and other third places where people gather and hang out.
Any small town business could copy their “Open the shop with me” video, or their post of staff members as a group.
Steal this idea: do an “open the shop with me” video! Image from Common Ground Coffee and Market, Boise, Idaho, Instagram.
Partner with other groups and businesses, even in small ways.
You don’t have to come up with, organize and then staff every event. Start looking for other clubs, groups, people and other businesses you can partner with. What do people like to do in your town, for fun or activities? Try tapping into those folks to help create experiences inside your business.
Notice how each of these events is in partnership with another local group or business. Image from Common Ground Coffee and Market, Boise, Idaho, Instagram.
Another idea to steal: SILENT book club.
I’d love to join someone’s silent book club! And how easy would it be to make one?
In another photo, the Common Ground folks showed a pile of books on the table to kick things off. Just bring some of your own used or To Be Read pile from home, grab some used books from the library sale, or just ask around!
No rules. Just read.
Need more coffee shop and gathering place ideas?
Check out these past idea-fests:
Hands-on and experience-based businesses boost local economies
Guest post by Jason Duff, founder of Small Nation Ever wanted to pour your own candle? Now you can right here in Downtown Bellefontaine! Triple Moon Designs in Bellefontaine, Ohio, recently added a new and exciting candle bar, offering a unique experience not typically seen in small towns. My team has had the chance to try it out […]
Guest post by Jason Duff, founder of Small Nation
Ever wanted to pour your own candle? Now you can right here in Downtown Bellefontaine! Triple Moon Designs in Bellefontaine, Ohio, recently added a new and exciting candle bar, offering a unique experience not typically seen in small towns. My team has had the chance to try it out and they’re raving about it. Owner Jessica Epley has curated the best-smelling and cleanest scents, as well as some of the nicest vessels that range from only $20-$35.
Candle making as a business gets a new spin in this “candle bar” where customers can design and make their own candles. Triple Moon Designs in Bellefontaine, Ohio. Photo courtesy of Small Nation.
Plus, if you like your created scent, Jessica can re-create it for you to make for the perfect Christmas or new client gift!
How Candle Making Creates an Economic Ripple Effect
Jessica’s new candle bar is a perfect example of the kind of destination-type experience that brings vitality and vibrancy to our community. Creating these unique experiences in a small town setting holds immense value. They draw both locals and visitors. The candle bar isn’t just about making candles; it’s about the experience of creativity and personalization. Visitors have the opportunity to craft something uniquely their own, and this hands-on activity creates a memorable and engaging experience that keeps people coming back.
One notable aspect is the two-hour curing time for the candles. This built-in waiting period is a strategic advantage for our downtown area. While their candles cure, visitors are encouraged to explore and enjoy the other offerings in Bellefontaine. They can dine at one of our local restaurants, browse the many boutiques, or enjoy a coffee at a nearby café. This not only enhances their overall experience but also supports other local businesses, creating a ripple effect of economic benefit.
By people like Jessica integrating destination-type experiences like the candle bar into our downtown, it’s creating a vibrant, interconnected community where businesses support each other. This synergy is vital for the sustained growth and development of small towns. It transforms our downtown into a lively hub of activity and engagement, attracting more visitors and encouraging local residents to explore and invest in their own community.
About the guest author
Jason Duff is the Founder of Small Nation. He leads the Small Nation team in developing places, spaces and dreams for small towns and small town entrepreneurs across the country. The 4th generation of a family of entrepreneurs, he started his own businesses before leading a team that has completely revitalized the city of Bellefontaine, Ohio, population 14,000. Read more about how Jason and team did it at Small Nation.
How to let customers know when changing your business hours
Post extensively on social channels, and pin your hours post to the top of your page Your small business has times when you need to change your hours either for holidays, staff issues or (my favorite) extending into evening hours. How do you retrain your customers so they notice the change? Let’s look at a […]
Post extensively on social channels, and pin your hours post to the top of your page
Your small business has times when you need to change your hours either for holidays, staff issues or (my favorite) extending into evening hours. How do you retrain your customers so they notice the change?
Let’s look at a real-world example from our friend in Boise, Idaho, (I know, kind of a big town) Kathleen Minogue.
“My local coffee shop just extended their Monday hours, and I will get heading there this afternoon,” Kathleen said. “They did a whole video about it on the socials to tell us and have pinned their hours to the top of their page.”
Post your temporary hours on your favored social channels, and pin them for as long as they are current. Image from Common Ground Coffee and Market, Boise, Idaho, Instagram.
If your website is hard to update
If your website is not easy to change, use it to let people know what social channel is your main tool for quick updates.
Post your most usual hours on your hard-to-change site, then say, “For current hours, follow us on…” and then give the social link.
Kathleen said her colleague Scott Madsen was the one who suggested pinning the posts for visibility.
“It’s a quick and responsive way that keeps their customers in the know and can be pinned so easily for all followers to see when they visit their profile,” Scott said.
Crowdfunding? Crowdfund Better
Kathleen and Scott are part of the team at Crowdfund Better. I recommend them to everyone who tells me they are considering crowdfunding for their small business.