Barlow's was the be all end all of fishing stores in DFW since the early 70's. They carry almost nothing in their storefront any longer. 99% of their business is now internet-based. Been many others come and go since that time. Internet makes it very hard for Mom and Pop storefronts.

I may be in the minority, but I couldn't stand going to Barlows. They had every fishing tackle item you could ask for. Just couldn't have a friendly staff member or customer service. Not being open on the weekends and business hours were the same as mine. I gladly spent my money elsewhere.

Always thought a tackle store with a small restaurant in it and call it Bass and Burgers would be a cool idea. Also think hours are a big component in the tackle store game. When I leave work at 5 the Academy�s, Bass Pro�s and Cabela�s seem to be all that is left opened after 6pm and on the weekends. Internet platform would have to be achieved and I would keep the wholesale business you have already built. Good luck and keep us posted.

I hate to put a damper on your excitement. My family has been in retail for over 50 years. Not in the fishing industry, but I don't think it matters in this thread. Retail has changed so much in the last 10 years. Matter of fact it has completely changed for the bad for brick and motor retail. Customers are not loyal anymore, they don't need to be because of online shopping. They will find it cheaper, have it shipped to their door and order it from their Lazy boy while sitting in their underwear while drinking beer in the middle of the night. They will find the item they want in your store after picking your brain, then pull it up on there phone to check pricing. After they find it on some closeout price they will ask you to match price, if you can't many will walk.
They will buy it online and then ask if you will exchange, they might even tell you they got a great deal because they bought it for 5% less than you are selling it for and then ask if you want to buy from them. I have seen and heard most everything. I can't begin to tell you how much things have changed it just blows you mind. Most of the boxes are selling more online than in their big fantastic stores. Those stores we built to increase their brand awareness.
Overhead costs are higher than they have ever been by a large margin. Save you money you will need it for retirement, retail is a bad investment. Just read this thread carefully. Your future customers have said you need the best price, best selection, best and longest hours, best location they don't want you to specialize they want you to have everything, they want you to have unique items(slow sellers) and on and on. By the way you sure won't have time to fish yourself if you are successful in your venture. It used to be rewarding but now is just frustrating.
If you ever make some one mad( it will happen to the best of us) you will be crucified on the internet in full public view. You will be berated worse than someone running for political office over a two dollar sale just because they can and it makes them feel big( examples of this often crop up right on this sight). They don't care that this is your lively hood just that they think you wronged them some way or another. Wish I had time to go fishing, and to think we are having a good day.
Sorry unload but the world, she is a changing. My father who started our business just turned 90 years thinks it is time for me to sell out and get a life. You know the older you get the smarter you get.
Good Luck and profitability in all you ventures.

Think if u add web site that is easy to navigate anything could work.

It is a saturated market, you need a niche. Something a little different like a Fisherman�s Roach Coach. Fresh hot good food for hungry now guys. Fresh cold food packed and ready for the ice chest. Bottled water and sodas.

Live bait maybe. Certainly some terminal tackle and a few soft baits. Customer demand will dictate what you stock.

I think access would be the problem. But yeah, find your niche.

Niches are great as my business has several that help keep us a float. This gentleman is talking about opening a Niche ( bass fishing only). Generally in small business it is better to diversify to several niches to have the best chance of attracting and retaining a large base of customers in the current retail climate. Then again you can't be everything to everybody. There is a limit as to how many things you can do and do them right.
By the way I have always considered myself lucky that my family didn't start a food business as I believe that is the toughest business of all retail businesses.

As an FYI, Scheels is coming to North Texas opening over by Nebraska Furniture mart in The Colony.

There used to be a store just as you described called bass something I forget the last word there, going from Greenville to Paris Tx on the right closer to Paris finally they folded due to all described here, they were about all bass related and did sell bait even some ammo, I only went in just to see what they had but much higher than places I traded with and the only bass killed it for me, I even think they had an eating place next door also.

i think it would be hard
you would have to be super specialized
& offer hard to find
lures
&
equipment
for all types of fish

I know you are talking about DFW area and I know there are lots more folks there but Tyler TX is hurting for what you are describing. We have Academy and Wal-Mart here. You have heard that Academy has some issues with the fishing supplies and that is no different here. Wal-Mart is well you know. We are forced to go online for things that we want. There is a couple other places here like Gander Outdoors and they recently opened after the other Gander Failed. If we drive for a bit there is another shop here called Porters out 155 by Lake Palestine and it is great but has a few issues as well. I know that I would support a Mom and Pop bass fishing store here in Tyler and there are several like me.

Jody

Yates Corner Grocery has worms and minnows. It's on Dove Loop, in Grapevine.

We will be moving back down in a few months I will be in the process of finding a place to open a shop and I will focus mainly on bass but cover everything if anyone knows of a good commercial location for rent or sale please message me

I�m moving my wholesale bait buissness along with it and retail helps me stay organized I think being able to take care of both would be the only way a guy could make it and we have an online store we are in the process of launching