So, I started a business, and I think so far I've spent as much money paying NYS for various things then I've actually brought in. Hopefully by the end of the year things will be rosier.
The last requirement for starting this thing is that I publish the creation of my LLC in two different papers in Erie County. I have another month or two still to fulfill this requirement, but I've been afraid to find out just how extortionate it will be. I'm going to call tomorrow and find out. Hopefully it will be more like $50 and less like $500.
My merchant account I'm just getting through PayPal, so that hasn't been too bad. And it's funny, if you're starting a business account at HSBC they have you meet with a Vice President. Apparently every single branch has a Vice President working in it or something, so HSBC must have something like 20,000 VP's.
Jim's Journal
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04/18/2007 21:13 #38949
Red TapeCategory: life
04/18/2007 17:17 #38945
I Like SpringCategory: photo
That is all.
tinypliny - 08/03/07 23:34
So do I. I was born in the Spring.
Well... it was spring where I was born. Maybe, that won't hold in Buffalo.
So do I. I was born in the Spring.
Well... it was spring where I was born. Maybe, that won't hold in Buffalo.
04/17/2007 19:18 #38933
Elmwood PanhandlerCategory: buffalo
I just noticed that Elmwood Panhandler was closing. I feel really bad for the owner - it was a cute little store and this was the best part of town to have it in. I've actually noticed a lot more vacancies on Elmwood this year then last, last year it was pretty much just the Utica-Hodge block that had multiple vacancies.
chico - 04/24/07 21:30
(e:juliesam16) , maybe I had the wrong impression of the prices... maybe I've spent too much time at outlet stores and such to recognize reasonable retail prices when I see them. Your store definitely carried quality products as well.
Good luck to you and your husband as you move on, and I hope the good times in Buffalo outweigh all the rotten stuff about owning a business on Elmwood Ave.
Cheers!
(e:juliesam16) , maybe I had the wrong impression of the prices... maybe I've spent too much time at outlet stores and such to recognize reasonable retail prices when I see them. Your store definitely carried quality products as well.
Good luck to you and your husband as you move on, and I hope the good times in Buffalo outweigh all the rotten stuff about owning a business on Elmwood Ave.
Cheers!
juliesam16 - 04/24/07 20:24
Hi, I owned ELmwood Panhandler. Don't feel bad that I am closing, Jim. I am moving out of Buffalo for a job offer my husband just accepted. Business was good for me. As far as high prices, most customers wanted quality products, not temporary tools from China that you throw away and replace next year. My prices were right in line with Target and Wegmans and Premier and Williams-Sonoma. All of us sold that OXO spatula for the exact same price. I loved my one and a half years there on Elmwood. I had many great customers who became friends and I owe any success I had to them and their loyalty. I'll tell you though, I will not miss picking up all the trash, cleaning grafitti or cleaning up after being robbed last summer. All stores close for different reasons, some because of low sales, or because they just want something new, or because they want more time with their family. It's just like when people change jobs or their lives change, only we need to close a business.
Hi, I owned ELmwood Panhandler. Don't feel bad that I am closing, Jim. I am moving out of Buffalo for a job offer my husband just accepted. Business was good for me. As far as high prices, most customers wanted quality products, not temporary tools from China that you throw away and replace next year. My prices were right in line with Target and Wegmans and Premier and Williams-Sonoma. All of us sold that OXO spatula for the exact same price. I loved my one and a half years there on Elmwood. I had many great customers who became friends and I owe any success I had to them and their loyalty. I'll tell you though, I will not miss picking up all the trash, cleaning grafitti or cleaning up after being robbed last summer. All stores close for different reasons, some because of low sales, or because they just want something new, or because they want more time with their family. It's just like when people change jobs or their lives change, only we need to close a business.
jenks - 04/18/07 13:14
I only went in there once, and didn't pay too much attention to prices- but is it really that much more than, say, williams-sonoma? I didn't think over-priced kitchen gadgets were that unusual. Not that it's GOOD, but it seems to happen a lot...
I only went in there once, and didn't pay too much attention to prices- but is it really that much more than, say, williams-sonoma? I didn't think over-priced kitchen gadgets were that unusual. Not that it's GOOD, but it seems to happen a lot...
jason - 04/18/07 11:56
I feel badly, but then again people have to understand what their market is. When I complained to Talking Leaves about being all-Lib, all the time they explained that they're giving people on Elmwood what they want. Couldn't much argue with that.
I feel badly, but then again people have to understand what their market is. When I complained to Talking Leaves about being all-Lib, all the time they explained that they're giving people on Elmwood what they want. Couldn't much argue with that.
zobar - 04/18/07 10:49
Yeah man - I went there to buy a teapot. It was going to be a gift for (e:dragonlady7) so I fully expected to overpay for some trendy Le Creuset crap. They had One teapot. It was hideous and like $60, and if it were sentient it would have expected me to remodel my kitchen to match it. I asked if they had any other colors. They said they didn't have any other teapots. I walked out. My life is difficult enough without having a $60 French teapot sitting on my stove judging me every morning.
- Z
Yeah man - I went there to buy a teapot. It was going to be a gift for (e:dragonlady7) so I fully expected to overpay for some trendy Le Creuset crap. They had One teapot. It was hideous and like $60, and if it were sentient it would have expected me to remodel my kitchen to match it. I asked if they had any other colors. They said they didn't have any other teapots. I walked out. My life is difficult enough without having a $60 French teapot sitting on my stove judging me every morning.
- Z
joshua - 04/18/07 08:56
Then again, the gear is now 40% off - time to buy.
Then again, the gear is now 40% off - time to buy.
joshua - 04/18/07 08:55
I saw this one coming long ago.
I saw this one coming long ago.
chico - 04/18/07 01:13
I like to shop city stores but I'm with (e:zobar) on this one... Panhandler was *really* expensive. A few months ago I went in intending to buy and was priced out of the market.
I like to shop city stores but I'm with (e:zobar) on this one... Panhandler was *really* expensive. A few months ago I went in intending to buy and was priced out of the market.
jim - 04/17/07 22:20
I was too shy to say such a thing...
I was too shy to say such a thing...
zobar - 04/17/07 22:15
Man, now that the Panhandler is closed, where will Buffalonians go for that killer combination of overpriced merchandise and limited selection?
- Z
Man, now that the Panhandler is closed, where will Buffalonians go for that killer combination of overpriced merchandise and limited selection?
- Z
jim - 04/17/07 20:13
Metalpeter, I think Hertel had or has a map like that, and I'm surprised I've never seen anything like that from the Forever Elmwood (although maybe I've just completely missed it).
I used to go in to Elmwood Panhandler and drool on their merchandise, but I don't think I ever bought more then an egg whisk.
Metalpeter, I think Hertel had or has a map like that, and I'm surprised I've never seen anything like that from the Forever Elmwood (although maybe I've just completely missed it).
I used to go in to Elmwood Panhandler and drool on their merchandise, but I don't think I ever bought more then an egg whisk.
metalpeter - 04/17/07 20:09
I don't know what Happened Business wise. But I think one of the problems Elmwood has is that it is tough for an independent buisnes to be competive. I assume they sell pots and kitchen stuff. You have you big box places Target and then you have upscale places in the mall. Oh yeah and then there are so many places to shop online. It is tough you have to make your prices high so that you can make a good profit but not so high that you send people away.
I also think that a good Idea that might help more places stay open would be if every business on Elmwood Had a small publication and map and short little descripton of it. This publication would change when ever a shop moved or closed or a new one opened. They would be available in every store. One good reason for this is that when someone comes to the area they can see other places that they might not know are there. Maybe the phamplets could even be added to peoples bags when they buy something.
I don't know what Happened Business wise. But I think one of the problems Elmwood has is that it is tough for an independent buisnes to be competive. I assume they sell pots and kitchen stuff. You have you big box places Target and then you have upscale places in the mall. Oh yeah and then there are so many places to shop online. It is tough you have to make your prices high so that you can make a good profit but not so high that you send people away.
I also think that a good Idea that might help more places stay open would be if every business on Elmwood Had a small publication and map and short little descripton of it. This publication would change when ever a shop moved or closed or a new one opened. They would be available in every store. One good reason for this is that when someone comes to the area they can see other places that they might not know are there. Maybe the phamplets could even be added to peoples bags when they buy something.
jenks - 04/17/07 19:34
oh that sucks, was it open even a year? If cute high-end shops can't survive on elmwood, can they survive anywhere?
oh that sucks, was it open even a year? If cute high-end shops can't survive on elmwood, can they survive anywhere?
04/14/2007 21:15 #38890
Shameless Self PromotionCategory: photos
I started a photo blog:
photos.jimlindley.com
Something a little bit purer then Flickr. I need to remember to post more often here, though, too.
photos.jimlindley.com
Something a little bit purer then Flickr. I need to remember to post more often here, though, too.
jim - 04/14/07 21:53
The hawk flew over head at just the right moment, the first day that I was playing around with the new camera that (e:james) bought me for my birthday last year, it was just freaky good timing.
The hawk flew over head at just the right moment, the first day that I was playing around with the new camera that (e:james) bought me for my birthday last year, it was just freaky good timing.
theecarey - 04/14/07 21:29
ooh I recognize Sculpture park pics :)
nice job on capturing the hawk, too!!
ooh I recognize Sculpture park pics :)
nice job on capturing the hawk, too!!
jim - 04/14/07 21:24
You have to say that, mister terrible.
You have to say that, mister terrible.
james - 04/14/07 21:17
my eyes weep with color coordinated goodness.
my eyes weep with color coordinated goodness.
04/06/2007 17:02 #38776
Broadway Market 2007I'd never been there before, so went with (e:) james and we headed down. Very crowded, and very good pierogi. We did not manage to see a butter lamb, but I did get a few decent shots of the crowds.
matthew - 04/06/07 19:36
Cool Pics. I would go every easter as a child. I haven't been in quite some time.
Cool Pics. I would go every easter as a child. I haven't been in quite some time.
paul - 04/06/07 18:59
I think that could be overwhelming as I have an affinity for polish guys. Did you ever go to any of the dingus day events? One year we took (e:matthew) to a huge Dingus Day event and ironically he was allergic to the pussy willows.
I think that could be overwhelming as I have an affinity for polish guys. Did you ever go to any of the dingus day events? One year we took (e:matthew) to a huge Dingus Day event and ironically he was allergic to the pussy willows.
VP promotions are running jokes at banks - they hand that title out like candy and often in lieu of a raise.
Web app development, couple side projects that might turn into something that would let me quit my day job. I've also set up a few stores for people, I'm hopeful that'll keep bringing in some revenue.
The web apps that I"m making might need some money for promotional expenses, so I'm setting up a company to be official for loans (even though I'll still have to personally cosign everything).
NYS is just clueless.
WHat kind of business are you starting?
vice-president seems just like a jerk off title given to people to inflate their importance in the eyes of customers.
And it is good to know that small businesses are real expensive to start. The state must have their pound of flesh. Tax breaks for Exon/Mobile and fees for the rest of us.