Question to Canadian Members (Please help)

[RGM81]

LOL Most of the people I know at UBC are in the Poli Sci department, so I doubt I'd be a ton of help for your prospects!

[Goose97]

Hey Andy, It's been a treat seeing your posts on here, and during the Olympics your curling plugs.... Added bonus.

The fact you look north for opportunity is honourable(not honorable. We spell words different here). This country is always welcoming fresh, and great minds to help make it a better place, and you will be coming here at a time where this country is in it's self finally coming of age. All you had to do is see us at the Olympics. That kind of patriotism we displayed would have embarrassed us even 10 years ago. We have always looked to the States in awe, but finally we are looking to what we have, and that is only going to compound.

Oh yeah! Economy-wise.... Better than California!

My advice to you, basically, come here with the attitude to make a difference, make it a better place. Use your studies to your advantage, and find the opportunities that exist here.

I will put a plug in for Saskatoon, if you should so desire to seek a place to open up a shop in the future, or just take over any of the existing four... Well three really. I deal with two of them, but only one of them is I would recommend. The reason why I say is that all these guys are looking at retirement, and seeing as they are already in place, your start-up costs would be minimal.

Also I would like to Sound the horn on the recession......... What recession?????? Here??? NOT!!!!!!! The only place in the world that survived. A little slow down yes, but not enough. When the recession hit, we were in a boom. I work in the summer as a landscaper, and hold down a job in a major lumber yard. And by me being able to see what activity that has taken place especially with housing starts this year, and landscape contracts already signed, it's looking like it's gonna be nuts again. If you were to use that as a forecast where the money would be flowing, and the fact that Saskatoon has a few good collectors that drop a lot of coin down on cards. That at least should give you a possible choice of where you may wind up.......... not that I'm saying you should, but it would be nice to see someone with your enthusiasm wind up here....

Keep your eye on this part of the world, and for graduate studies, possibly the U of S.

Brian

[mr ozzie]

My question to you Canadians is: In what town/area is a shop needed? I'm not looking for a town with a small amount of people where no one collects. Does anyone know a town with a good sized amount of collectors lacking a good LCS? I ask this because if I do decide to venture into the card business, I'd like to know some places that would need a shop. Input would be appriceated.

I didn't read the replies, so I'll answer this directly. The number one market for card shops in Canada will always be the Greater Toronto Area. And don't think of it as just the Toronto proper, but think of the connecting cities surrounding Toronto outstretching to even the Kitchener/Waterloo area to Niagara Region and into Buffalo particularly. There seems to be more quality card shops in the west-end here probably because of the close proximity of Buffalo and Detroit. Don't forget also that the Hamilton region nearly got an NHL franchise last year, and many pundits (local and national) agree that southwestern Ontario is prime to support at least 1 NHL franchise, and possibly 2. I should point out that there is a high-concentration of junior hockey here as well - Brampton Battalion, Mississauga St. Michael's Majors, Niagara Ice Dogs, Peterborough Petes, Oshawa Generals, etc. On top of NHL opportunities, you also have to realize that Toronto is home to the Raptors, Blue Jays, Toronto FC, Argonauts, and Rock. And don't forget that the Buffalo Bills are only 1 hour away. Therefore, as a card shop all your 4 major sports will always be covered. However, many shops here only specialize in hockey, and sell the others sparingly.

Number two is the island of Montreal and surrounding, including as far as Quebec city and Ottawa regions. The French love their hockey, so if you want to specialize, then this is a good option as well. Do keep in mind the language barrier because you WILL have a problem. Good luck.

[whatagoalie43]

I'll throw this out there:

Toronto's hobby market is underserviced. One of the two most rabid hockey hobby markets in the world (The other being Montreal), but with only a few shops, and none that I've been to yet that is in the upper echelon of "Great Hobby Shops". If I were opening a shop, I'd do some research into where exactly in Toronto there are shops, and then go from there, but I think this is your best bet from a business perspective.

Beyond the physical location, your online presence will probably be the biggest aspect of opening a new shop going forward.

+1 Toronto has a very small amount of shops that are actually good, yeah we have the expo and what not but for the rest of the year considering the size and how many people in toronto do collect and follow hockey it is very poor.

just my 0.02$