Opinions Needed About Possible Retreat Location in Downtown Denton, TX

K., that sounds amazing... I could think of many reasons to rent a loft space! So long as it isn't too expensive-- you want "regular" people to be able to enjoy the space. If it is as cool as I think it is, and it is affordable, i'd rent it for my daughter's birthday. Keep us informed!!

All I want to know is did you open this wonderful place? I am sooooo interested!!!!
A.

Hi K.- I don't have much time so wouldn't be able to do this myself, but I can forward the question to my sister in Pennsylvania and ask her what she thinks. She's done a couple of retreats where she lives so may have some good input for you.

You might also want to find out if there are any benefits or suggestions the chamber or historic society of Denton has re. the building. Perhaps there is some sort of financial bonus/incentive to doing something special with it.

Along those lines, perhaps talk to some event planners in the area, or even the chamber of commerce re. offering it as a meeting space. Make sure it has high speed internet, of course! That will make it more appealing. Also - there are a lot of moms that have their own home businesses, but might benefit from having a "meeting space" - that might be a really great way to get people to use it (I have a friend in CA that was a wedding planner but worked out of her home. I'm sure she would have loved a place to meet that was professional, but reasonable." You might even be able to get some of the local businesses in on the act by having some sort of display in the Loft - ice cream shop, candy store, wine shop, tea room - that you mentioned. Perhaps they can give discounts to the people that are using the space and put out advertisements for the space for you - cross promoting each other.

Check out www.vistaprint.com - they do really reasonable business cards/postcards etc. that might be nice to promote it with if you do chose to market the space that way. Good luck and I apologize for the rambling post :)

Great idea for the location, I went to TWU, so I am partial of course.....

I would say a weekend package of $199, that would include fri and sat night.

That's what we paid at Fredricksburg, posh b&b for scrapbooking.

1. Would the location of the loft (in a historic downtown) be appealing to you to spend a weekend scrapbooking, or doing any other craft (jewelry making, stamping, cake decorating, you name it!)?

Yes, I think the location is nice.

2. Is the idea of the loft, itself, appealing in its uniqueness?

I like the loft idea, but if I had to haul bags up stairs or anything like that, you may have lost me. You could hire local high school kids to come carry stuff in & out. High school sports teams (at least the smaller teams) are always looking for ways to earn extra money.

3. If you had the opportunity to do a little shopping or go across the street to get ice cream at a scrapbook retreat, would you? Is that more or less appealing than being away from it all out in the country?

I totally love the idea of being able to leave and go to one of the downtown stores for a little shopping or to eat.

4. How much would you expect to pay as an individual coming to a retreat at this location?

I would expect to pay about $50 a night for a bed & breakfast.

5. Is this venue something you could see rented out as a meeting room, whether for weekly classes, meetings, rehearsal dinner, or other small gathering?

Not sure.

6. Would you travel to downtown Denton for or an overnight retreat or a meeting in this space?

Yes.

My daughter who is 27 has lived in Denton for two years now. She's a TWU student who lives within walking distance of the square.

I've had the opportunity to have ice cream at the shop, and I know where the wine shop is.

Check with the historic preservation society or the planning and zoning department to see if they have an overlay plan or a comprehensive plan for the downtown. The work of the planning commission provides the vision for the area.

As far as having it set up as a retreat, I also have questions about where people attending the retreat would be housed. I wouldn't want to go to a retreat in an historic building to learn that I was going to be put up at the Motel 6 by the interstate.

Needlepoint has been one of my hobbies. I haven't done much in years, but there was a shop in Kentucky that I loved. Not only did it have the highest quality of designs and fibers, but they also offered classes and there came to be a group who would get together to stitch together. Perhaps that is an idea that might have more possibilies for you.

Instead of having weekends, you could have a day long master's class or half day events during the week. Build a database of scrapbooking teachers in the area who are at the top of their game, and schedule events with registration and a reasonable fee. Also construct a database of scrapbooking enthusiasts and send out a monthly newsletter of classes being offered. I don't know if you would draw people from the DFW area to fight the I-35E traffic mess to get to Denton, but if you schedule the classes outside of rush hour, you'd have a better chance. You might also investigate the interest in areas north, east, and west of Denton or north of Lake Lewisville to see if there is sufficient interest there to come to Denton.

I think an all inclusive package at a fixed price for the classes is the best bet. Class and materials and something to take away with them.

Scrapbooking isn't my thing, but I can see your vision. Preserving history and teaching a bit about it at the same time.

You might also check with the local Arts Council and the art departments at UNT and TWU and see how you might incorporate them and their resources into your business plan.

Good luck!

I am a former facilities manager/conference management director and I am very into finding new and interesting locations for events. I think this space, depending on the square footage, would be a PRIME location for public use. I wouldn't limit it, though, to crafting. You wouldn't believe how many people need space for things like baby showers, luncheons, receptions, retreats, training meetings, particularly where there are no catering restrictions. Downtown is fabulous. Send me more info and I'll help you out.

Well, I live in Aubrey, but work at DATCU....so I would LOVE this location. I have TONS of scrapping friends, and can't wait to tell them about this.

I will admit, I do like going out to the country for a retreat, but, with the price of gas going up, having a place close to home is invaluable. I would love to see what the place looks like....will you have enough room for everyone to spread out? If meals are not provided, for the weekend, I think you should expect about $115 per person for Friday noon through Sunday 4pm. Will you have a kitchen for everyone to cook their own meals?

I will pass this along to everyone I know.

Good luck!!
K.

I posted your message to an e-mail list that I'm on....here is one ladies response:

1. Would the location of the loft (in a historic downtown) be appealing to you to spend a weekend scrapbooking, or doing any other craft (jewelry making, stamping, cake decorating, you name it!)? Yes, sounds pretty
2. Is the idea of the loft, itself, appealing in its uniqueness? Yes

3. If you had the opportunity to do a little shopping or go across the street to get ice cream at a scrapbook retreat, would you? Is that more or less appealing than being away from it all out in the country? I think taking a break for ice cream is always a great idea.

4. How much would you expect to pay as an individual coming to a retreat at this location? Individually with no food provided or cooked for me, I think I would be willing to pay about $100-$120 but would really like to have the opportunity to add Thursday to that weekend for an additional $25

5. Is this venue something you could see rented out as a meeting room, whether for weekly classes, meetings, rehearsal dinner, or other small gathering? Hmmm, not sure, depending on just how big this place is and how many people it can really fit comfortably.

6. Would you travel to downtown Denton for or an overnight retreat or a meeting in this space? Yes

I think it sounds like a good idea. Although I don't live in Denton it would be no further for me than other country retreats.
Would you be set up to do all the amenities that the country retreats do, food, how many lodging?
You could also consider getting teachers who do specialty classes. When I worked for Recollections (at the beginning) they brought in people who did a variety of types of paper crafting (scrapbooking, making books, cardmaking). They used all different type of techniques.
Also, is there a scrapbook store near to buy product you may have forgotten?
I don't know if I helped or made things more confusing. Please e-mail me back so that you can put me on your e-mail list when you make a decision.
Last, here's a scrapbook question. Does anyone know somewhere you can make 12 x 12 copies. Office supply stores make 11 x 14 or similar, but not 12 x 12.
Thanks,
J.

1. Would the location of the loft (in a historic downtown) be appealing to you to spend a weekend scrapbooking, or doing any other craft (jewelry making, stamping, cake decorating, you name it!)?

A. The location sounds VERY appealing since there are all the little shops around too.

2. Is the idea of the loft, itself, appealing in its uniqueness?

A. Yes, it sounds very homey. I bet it's a really cool little place especially with the interior brick walls and view of the courthouse.

3. If you had the opportunity to do a little shopping or go across the street to get ice cream at a scrapbook retreat, would you? Is that more or less appealing than being away from it all out in the country?

A. I'm all about convenience. Who wouldn't want some ice cream mid-afternoon!?!!

4. How much would you expect to pay as an individual coming to a retreat at this location?

A. Gosh that's a tough one. Would you be pricing a stay in one of the bedrooms or would it just be for day use? I would have to know more to make a guess at what it would be worth to me.

5. Is this venue something you could see rented out as a meeting room, whether for weekly classes, meetings, rehearsal dinner, or other small gathering?

A. I don't think you would have a lot of takers on renting it as a meeting room unless you had some small businesses close by that might use it. It doesn't sound like it would be big enough for a meeting of more than 10-15. Being a business person, I wouldn't rent it for that. We'd probably just all cram in an office or something. You might be able to rent it to groups from the colleges such as sororities. The rehearsal dinner idea is great, but there again, I would suspect that anyone in the market to rent an outside location would be looking to seat more folks than this place would hold. Also, when you start renting, you have to consider fire code with # of people the room will hold etc.

6. Would you travel to downtown Denton for or an overnight retreat or a meeting in this space?

A. Being from around here I wouldn't. If I lived out of town, I might. Since Dallas is so close out-of-towners might come to enjoy the retreat then visit Big D as well.

Good luck!! You've got some great ideas. But it might take a while to actually get the word out and start some income coming in on it. You also have to consider hazard insurance and liability insurance when you open it up to the public. Inevitably, you'll have some little old lady break her ankle on the way down the stairs and she's going to say it's the owners fault!! Just things to consider.

D.

Place sounds great. The deal breaker for me would be the price. I can see it being used for several activities, including scrapbooking. How much would they have to have per night?

1. Would the location of the loft (in a historic downtown) be appealing to you to spend a weekend scrapbooking, or doing any other craft (jewelry making, stamping, cake decorating, you name it!)? Yes

2. Is the idea of the loft, itself, appealing in its uniqueness? Yes

3. If you had the opportunity to do a little shopping or go across the street to get ice cream at a scrapbook retreat, would you? Is that more or less appealing than being away from it all out in the country? More appealing, especially when you consider gas prices.

4. How much would you expect to pay as an individual coming to a retreat at this location? If clean linnens and towels are provided, for 4 people $300-$400 total for a long weekend (Thurs-Sunday)

5. Is this venue something you could see rented out as a meeting room, whether for weekly classes, meetings, rehearsal dinner, or other small gathering? Without seeing the venue, it's difficult to say. However, I think it might be difficult to transform the place from a craft retreat to a dinner location.

6. Would you travel to downtown Denton for or an overnight retreat or a meeting in this space? Yes

Just make sure you have enough 6 foot tables for the number of people the location will hold. And, get a website on the internet.

That sounds like a very creative and unique idea!! How do moms get away from their kids all weekend for a retreat and where would they sleep? When I hear "retreat", I imagine a 2 night stay somewhere with accomodations(cabins by a lake or bed and breakfast type houses). Would the people who came share the 2 bedroom loft or would they have to get a hotel or drive back home? Or are scrapbooking retreats a one day thing?
I've never been!
Also, would this be profitable enough for your friends parents rather than having them just lease it out, or would you sign a lease and then host a retreat every month or so to cover the rent?
I'm not sure I'd be comfortable bunking with 7-10 other women in a 2 bedroom for a weekend but if accomodations are set up in a nice hotel, in which breakfast is inclusive and served at the loft, I'd be interested about hearing some more information if you end up going through with this. :)

To answer Julie's question, here is a link I found regarding making 12 X 12 copies:

http://www.memorymakersmagazine.com/forum/forums/thread-v...

If the link doesn't come through, just Google "12 x 12 copies" and you should be able to find it.

Also, to answer the question about a scrapbook store near downtown Denton, the closest one is Kim's Scrap & Crop, which is less than 2 miles away. http://www.scrapandcrop.net/index.htm

I have never gone on a scrapbook retreat, finding it hard to leave my young kids and justify the cost, but the idea is a good one. I seem to recall there being a scrapbook retreat house in Denton not too long ago, but maybe it doesn't exist any longer. You might use this one in McKinney for comparison purposes as far as rates, etc. http://www.creativecottageretreat.com. Personally, I'd go for the $15/day cropping days, but like I said, my kids are still young.

1-YES!!!
2-YES!!!
3-YES!!! Can't say that's it's more appealing, just a different sort of appealing.
4-$150, Friday afternoon to Sunday evening
5-Yes, it's a great location for any of those events
6-YES!!!

Make sure there is wifi available for digital scrappers.

K.,

I own Jupiter House on the square. I would put together some coupons for you to come enjoy coffee if this all works out.Those who attend might need some caffeine to keep them awake during those late nights :) I know friends of mine who go to retreats in the mountains but they live in Colorado. I think the square is such a fun, interesting place. Good Luck with your idea. -A.