How far?

[Earthcup]

I've been considering opening a Pagan bookstore. A really good one hopefully!

From what I've been able to find out the success seems to depend on something called a consumer....

So my question is: If you saw an ad for a really good Pagan bookstore, with stuff on all the trads, aspects, religons, etc...., how far would you be willing to drive?

I live in a touristy but rural area and there are Pagans scattered about but it's not near "Pagan Central". It is an area that is central to the north Georgia Mtns. are though with several healthy sized towns around it...

Anyway I'd really appreciate feedback on this!

[Flaire-FireStar]

Okay, I'm crazy.. 50+ miles (I think that's how far PG is from here anyway....8 hours. ;)) But sure, if I was completely desperate for something, and couldn't find anything on the 'net (in CAD $) or I wanted to ask someone personally... Sure, I'd drive that far. :)

[Earthcup]

I'd drive 50 to 75 miles myself as long as I wasn't headed to urban areas. Can't stand Atlanta traffic..... unfortunately all the shops I know of are in Atlanta or pretty close to it....

I'm hoping "If I build it they will come.." but at the very worst I'd end up with a lot of cool books and a little experience....

[Azure]

You know, I'm driving back from Charleston by myself - I'm wondering if I cross your path on the way and we could have coffee or something. . .

[Danustouch]

Hmm...can't really measure in Miles, since I don't drive. Heh. I'd say for the nearest one? About 25 minutes. Other than that, there's one 40 minutes away over the border of Massachussettes, one 30 minutes away, in Putnum, and one or two probably in Providence, though..i don't know them off hand.

[Myst]

The furthest we drive is St Thomas, which is half an hour from here, tho we do have a shoppe here in town. When I lived with my parents the furthest we would go (the closest shoppe), which is in this city, was 40 mins away.

[Earthcup]

Actually they just opened a dessert shop in town..... too many temptations in tourist towns.... let me know when you'll be passing through!

[seawitch]

i voted 50 miles or more.
i can't because we only have 40 miles of road.
but if there was a store i liked that much i'd make the trip a few times a year. even though the only thing i ever seem to buy is charcoals.

[Lavender]

I live in a fairly big city with pagan stores & other goodies almost within walking distances. But if I didn't, I would drive the 50+ to get to one. I may not do that every week, maybe once a month or so. It just means that I'll have a large shopping list when I get there! :D

Another suggestion, make sure you have your inventory up to date online. Nothing worse than driving all that distance to find out the items you want are out or discontinued. blech!

[Loon]

I picked 50+. I would be willing to drive a little extra if I knew the store was going to have something I was looking for (and if I could afford to buy it, haha). We have a few stores around here, but I haven't visited any of them yet because I'm not really sure of what they offer, and of course, I have no money, haha.

I would suggest having a really informative Web site with a list of the products you carry, directions, etc. Good luck. :)

[Flaire-FireStar]

Originally posted by Earthcup
I'd drive 50 to 75 miles myself as long as I wasn't headed to urban areas. Can't stand Atlanta traffic..... unfortunately all the shops I know of are in Atlanta or pretty close to it....

I'm hoping "If I build it they will come.." but at the very worst I'd end up with a lot of cool books and a little experience....

hehe...I'm glad most of the drive to PG is though farmland-type stuff (some forest area too) ;) Woo hoo...No big cities to navigate through! :lol:

[Garnet]

I'm another non-driver so you'd have to a) be on or near a busline or b) have a website & mailing sevice.
Good luck, & let us know.

[Twig]

as a bus will get me. :D

Peace
Twig
:elf:

ps- So far greyhound has gotten me 150 miles to the coast where there is THE BEST store named The Crystal Wizard - 1826 NE 101 N. (541)994-9303 in Lincoln City OR.
;)

[Earthcup]

I wish we had a bus service here... :( I'd hardly ever drive except when I wanted too.... still trying beat Elliot's 9 minute record on 9...:lol: 15 min is my best time so far!

I'm going to keep researching and keeping an eye out for a good location. Maybe I'll try to open up a shop this fall.... need time to plan and save money....

[shnen]

Sorry, I don't know miles... :eek: only kms... :(

[Loon]

16–32
32–80
80+

I hope my conversions are right!

[Mythrel]

no distance is too great

[Theres]

hey Twig, 'The Crystal Wizard' is a great place. but by Greyhound?!
i often drive further than 50 miles, since Portland has quite a few really good Pagan stores (and Powell's Books!), and is 64 miles from Salem (about 25 minutes, mwa haha!) .
'The Goddess Gallery' alone is worth the drive.

[Laiste]

Well I voted 20-50...but I would drive further if I had a better working car!!:)

[SimplyStrange]

I didn't vote on the poll, but that's only because I don't drive yet. But I'd say hey, as long as there was a bus route there, I'd go, regardless of how far it was. Gives me time to read my books on the bus :)

[TheTempestuous1]

That's one thing I miss about germany! And europe really.. You don't have to have a car they have such wonderful public transportation.. buses, street trains, trains.. It's just great. So convenient......By the way I voted over 50 since I plan to go to one with my mom on mother's day! :) I think I am getting really close to telling her.. She loves this kind of incense candle ext stuff and other new agey pursuits.. I think she will be pretty accepting once I explain a bit. She's a massage therepist and got thoroughly granola-ized more than she already was predispositioned for when she went to massage school in tucson! hehe So it's kind of a cool situation that at least she's really open to that kind of thing. Oh well rambling.. See you all later! And good luck earthcup!

[Witchy Cowgirl]

Truthfully? I have never been to a Pagan shop (good or bad) and would gladly travel 50 miles to visit one. There again I haven't done much searching for them either, but I'm positive there must be one within 75 miles of me. I do live in a rural area but am very close to the major interstates and could get to the city very easily. But once I get there (to the city) I'd have to have very specfic directions or I'd just get lost.
My sister-in-law recently went to NewOrleans and she was gonna pick up some things for me there. (Her 3 day trip turned into an overnight and she came home empty-handed....different story).
But even though I was looking forward her gifts; I would really just like to visit one if just for the experience.

[Kalosi]

I drive quite a bit on the weekends, so I can get to quite a few good stores! I FAR prefer my PC!!

I live in the middle of german-catholicville in MN. I'd like to win the lottery, so that I can open a good store up here so that my Pagan friends will have a good resource for their supplies! I'm going to open it next to the local christian bookstore. Should be a good time for all!

[stormyray]

Originally posted by Twig
as a bus will get me. :D

Peace
Twig
:elf:

ps- So far greyhound has gotten me 150 miles to the coast where there is THE BEST store named The Crystal Wizard - 1826 NE 101 N. (541)994-9303 in Lincoln City OR.
;)


THankyou for this info Twig. Hubby and I have been trying to figure out were to go fo a mini vacation and you solved it for us :) :) :) :) :)

[Melysande]

Earthcup, chica, I would patronize your store because you're a friend. Other than that, I can't even be bothered to go to any of them in Salem, and they're less than three miles away from my house. **smiles** Amazon and eBay are where I get my Pagan things, mostly.

[Earthcup]

:lol: You're in Witch Central! I'll bet there are at least five Witchy shops on the town square alone! :D

I don't think I'll be trying to start one anytime soon but when I do I want to make sure I do it right. Lots of history, interfaith, Wicca 101, Ceremonial Magic, folk magic and lore, herbal, Recon and Traditional and esoteric stuff. T-shirts, ritual gear and gift type stuff too but mostly lots and lots of good books!

I've gotten a lot of good feedback but I know the few shops topen in this area either closed or turned into giftshops. They mostly carried knick knacks and incense though and I want to focus more on books. I hope that will make a difference!

[Wyrdsister]

I'd be willing to drive quite far, but I don't think I'd make it to Georgia. :T Then again, I don't think you're trying to corner the Canadian market! :D

Good luck, Earthcup!!

Wyrdsister

[Earthcup]

Driving to Pittsburgh was pretty bad, I don't think I'd make it to the border myself! :lol:

[Eudaimonia]

I live more than 70 miles from the nearest one anyway. Mail order (www.azuregreen.com) is great for me!