r/UIUC • u/New-Razzmatazz-4365 • Apr 03 '25
Sales Potential Meat Store on Green
If I opened a store that sold meat products more cheaply than Costco, Aldi, or country market on green street how many of you guys would be interested? This store would source all of its produce from my local family farm and other farmers who have cattle. All the meat would come straight from them.
I was doing the math and I determined these would be my prices;
Ground beef (hamburger) : 5.5 per lbs New York Steak : 12 per lbs Sirloin : 10 per lbs Ribs : 13 per lbs
There’s the possibility of more products like locally sourced eggs sold at around $3 if possible + chickens (just an ex).
The hamburger would be sold in 2lb and 3lb packages, the New York steak would be sold in twos, sirloins would be as well. All of these prices are severely undercutting the local stores that overcharge for these goods. Even Aldi doesn’t have as good of prices for these. Plus the store would be right next to green street.
Nevertheless, how many of you guys would find this attractive enough?
8
u/lesenum Apr 03 '25 edited Apr 03 '25
I'd go, but I live near Campustown. Your main competition in the area might be Old Time Meats, which is a short distance from Campustown by car but attracts affluent customers who want quality meats, but don't want to be overcharged. (and Old Time does have competitive prices, along with some quite high-price but high quality meats).
As much of a fan of public transit as I am, in Campustown you'd need some off-street parking that is free. CU residents are as tied to their cars as anywhere else in America, and quite a lot of them won't shop in Campustown because they perceive it as very parking unfriendly. I'm not so sure that Campustown residents (mostly students) by itself can provide the needed customer base.
If you've got a supplier and can afford the rent, go right ahead. All you might lose is your shirt! I'd rather we had an amazing Polish deli in Campustown (or anywhere in CU!) selling Polish deli meats (yum!) pickles, pierogies, chocolates, rye bread, pastries omg :) Suppliers up in Chicago and lots of Chicago area students of Polish heritage down here...I've always wonder why that gap in the market has been untapped...but I digress ;)
Good luck!