Hey there, I'm new to the board...

[king]

Hey there everyone!!! First off, i must say i love this site! Definitely the most informative and professional info./advice sites on the web that i have found related to the industry. So Kudos...

I've been lurking for months and months and finally decided to register and start contributing to all the fun.

As for my background, im a college grad. with a psychology degree (who would have figured) and have been in the industry for 8 years and am extremely interested and passionate about everything related to the nightlife and hospitality industries.

I teach part-time, run a nightlife website(check sig) and for the past year or so i've been DJ'ing in and around NYC. I also have experience working in promotions/event planing, security and working as a barback. Basically just trying to gain experience and learn first hand info. on all facets of the industry.

Like everyone else on here- opening a venue of my own is a dream that i have been after since as long as i can remember. I know many people who own their own establishments and have friends on all levels of the industry and im ready to take the next step.

Originally my plans were to start the venture down south (New Orleans, LA) but since the hurricanes, our plans are on hold and we are unsure if it would still be a wise decision. I don't really have any questions at this time operation-wise but i would love to hear everyone's opinion on investing and starting something new in New Orleans at the current time with the given situation...

Thanks very much for your time and I appologize for the long introduction. Cheers!!!

king

[The Event Guy]

That would be something to look into government funding to purchase property, get the liquor license, then sit and wait on the property until the right time.

Could be wrong based on what the government and mayor plan to do

[king]

Event Guy,

Thanks for the reply. Although im not very familiar with the process, government funding does sound like a good idea and something worth looking into. And like you stated, we have also thought about purchasing, possibly closing the doors to keep costs down, sitting on the property and then opening when the time is right.

I have recently been in contact with a few owners that are selling down there and im just waiting on financials at this time to run them passed my accountant & attorney to see if it would all make sense.

Im surprised, no other opinions on investing and starting up a project in New Orleans. Please, i would love to hear some of your points of view on this. Thanks...

[jefferson935]

I am also looking into investors to open an nightclub in New Orleans, more specifically in the French Quarter. After the devistation of hurricane Katrina, the French Quarter is doing just fine. Mardi Gras 2006 attracted about 75% of the pre-Katrina crowd. Much money passed through hands over those couple of months and the economy is definetly on an upswing. Let me know if you still have any ideas and how far you are willing to go.

[king]

I am also looking into investors to open an nightclub in New Orleans, more specifically in the French Quarter. After the devistation of hurricane Katrina, the French Quarter is doing just fine. Mardi Gras 2006 attracted about 75% of the pre-Katrina crowd. Much money passed through hands over those couple of months and the economy is definetly on an upswing. Let me know if you still have any ideas and how far you are willing to go.


Jefferson is right, The city of New Orleans is bouncing back much faster than expected after hurricane Katrina and the economy is on an upswing. Real estate and the bar/restaurant businesses are definitely thriving right now. I have spoken to many people in the industry and on avg., most of the restaurants are experiencing an increase in sales of at least 25%.

I am in fact still moving on with my project down here but we are not planning to be located downtown in the qtr. We are currently looking at a few possibilities in Uptown, Warehouse district, CBD, etc. In my opinion, the qtr. is where the risk level is high at the moment.

Regardless, what kind of project are you looking to start? What size space are you looking for? We should talk, hit me with a PM, I may know of a building (On Bourbon St.) that might work for you.

King

[jefferson935]

What are you getting into in NOLA? I have over 12 years experience in the business from the bottom to the top. How do we get into ontact with each other?

[The Event Guy]

People ALWAYS want a place to go to drink the blues away or fantasize about another place. There will ALWAYS be a demand for entertainment/hospitality especially during the worst of times.