loving the algarve

nosey_parker · Post by **nosey_parker** » Sun Sep 26, 2004 1:26 pm

Funny that about sandwich shop. My father-in-law has been over here for the past week and we were also discussing opening a business. The sandwich shop idea did come about.

My other ideas are:

1) COMPUTER REPAIR SHOP (although there are many, so, risky!)
2) Feng Shui shop (can be risky and weird)
3) Chocolate shop ranging from Cadbury's to expensive chocolate like Thortons (spelling?)

What do you guys think of these? Certainly nothing to make me a fortune but I'm quite happy with just making enough to pay my bills and some extras.

Sue

Lesley Jean · Post by **Lesley Jean** » Sun Sep 26, 2004 2:21 pm

Mmmmmmm Chocolate Shop please, then with our sandwich and juice bar accros the road we would all be in heaven. Bread thing, what about making own bread, I do at home every weekend. Nothing better.

digger · Post by **digger** » Sun Sep 26, 2004 2:39 pm

Bread?.. yes I’m working on some secret recipies….I think we ought to have rolls that hold some generous filling.....

(ah yes...

….banana marmite and peanut butter..mmmmm)

tricky · Post by **tricky** » Sun Sep 26, 2004 3:35 pm

Right so we've obviously got the 'board' of this enterprise (whatever it may be) Digger, Lesley Jean, Thunderbolt, and Nosey Parker are having great fun with this , I can see you all sitting there daydreaming. Perhaps we should have a poll to see which shop/enterprise is need in CVO?, like the restaurant Polls, that should give you some valuable market research. My request, still the deli and breadshop - wouldn't the refridgeration costs of a chocolate shop be prohibitive?, we don't want any of that nasty additive stuff that stops them melting do we?

Tricky
p.s. I could do the advertising and marketing if there's a job going.

Thunderbolt · Post by **Thunderbolt** » Sun Sep 26, 2004 6:13 pm

Well I think we all have great ideas. We should try and do a bit of market research in the area to see what is most needed.

I was actually thinking of combining a juice bar with a kind of deli that would also do interesting vegetarian dishes. I have lists of ideas that I've put together and (very sad I know) but I have also started working on a business plan.

I was trying to get all the information about what licenses and paperwork I would need to try and get them all sorted out asap as I know they take forever to sort out.

So maybe there is something in it that should be done. There are obviously quite a few of us who have thought of doing something and we do seem to have similar ideas.

Maybe the beginning of a fantastic venture!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Sep 26, 2004 9:04 pm

yes ideas are easy in the algarve......getting the licences is however very hard....as it said in another heading...it took seven years to get approval for a small leisure complex.

Thunderbolt · Post by **Thunderbolt** » Sun Sep 26, 2004 9:16 pm

True but there's no harm in trying. After all, if you don't ask, you don't get.

nosey_parker · Post by **nosey_parker** » Sun Sep 26, 2004 11:42 pm

I forgot to add English bookshop to my list. Marketing Research sounds good to me. I've been to Carvoeiro today - I admit I had only been past by car once and my impression was that it was a very claustrophobic place....But today I went to meet our lovely Ellie (what a lovely lady) and I liked Carvoeiro "liveliness".

I later took my mum out to Alvor and it was dead comparing to CVO. So, my husband and I are thinking how much we would love to be there.

I think a joint effort into Marketing Research would be great.

Anyway, I had a great time in CVO today and I now understand why you all seem to want to be there.

Sue

PS - There was a Sandwich bar there...

Hope that doesn't spoil anyone plans. For best bread you need ORIGINAL ALENTEJO BREAD and SERPA CHEESE.

falcon · Post by **falcon** » Mon Sep 27, 2004 7:54 am

There is also an English book exchange in Carvoeiro, although it seems to open rather "sporadically"...

I reckon a really good bakery would work here. There seems to be one already but it is all sold out by 12 o'clock ... must be a demand there and you could sell pies and sandwiches too.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Sep 27, 2004 8:19 am

there is loads of bread at intermarche....pllus all the supermarkets in cvo recieive fresh bread every day..the portuguese insist on it

e-richard · Post by **e-richard** » Mon Sep 27, 2004 9:03 am

Aaah yes, Market Research. A subject close to my heart, so a warning:

How representative are members and contributors of this forum ? Lets not forget the thousands of one time visitors, families, children and of course many locals who may use this new business, but have not had their say here.

If one is going to do the research, then it must be done locally during the busy summer months.

Anybody want to borrow a clipboard ?

Lesley Jean · Post by **Lesley Jean** » Mon Sep 27, 2004 9:19 am

Thunderbolt, would be interested in any research etc on this theme. I for one am not 'day dreaming' I know starting a business in the Algarve would not be easy, I do not have 'my head in the clouds'. I would be very interested in perhaps a joint venture of the type talked about, sandwich and juice bar, bakery which sells sandwiches, etc etc...
We are looking to 'early retire' to our house in a couple of years time and would like to do something to keep active and not just vegitate. We have always said that there isn't a nice sandwich place at lunchtime in cvo. If there is already one then I think a little competition would be good.
Anyone else have ideas???

Thunderbolt · Post by **Thunderbolt** » Mon Sep 27, 2004 11:42 am

Lesley,

I'm also serious about this.

I'm moving over in February and although I have a job lined up, I would like to look into this further.

I have many clipboards for the market research

but I was thinking of the more direct approach of trying the actual products on those poor unsuspecting people. After all, everyone loves a freebie.

roy4eyes · Post by **roy4eyes** » Mon Sep 27, 2004 11:44 am

On the old road from Lagoa to Sesmarias (with the Madonna at the T-junction) on the left hand side is the Bar Boa Vista which has been closed for about 3 years since the owner won the lottery.
There is room for a bar + tea room/coffee shop/restaurant + mini-market + living accommodation above, and the residents of the growing Boa Vista urbanisacion arre desperate for some-one to take it on so they can walk for their beers etc. rather than get in the car to Sesmarias.
As it is already designated for business, licences should be relatively easy to obtain. so why don't some of you enterpreneurs have a look at it ?

suzy-chigwell · Post by **suzy-chigwell** » Mon Sep 27, 2004 3:06 pm

Just got back last night from cvo and missing it already.Does not seem possible that this time yesterday we were sitting at O Barco enjoying a last bit of algarvian sun and a beer or three.and now I am in in overcast and miserable Chigwell, Just thought the Sandwich bar idea was great we were always looking for something a little lighter than a full meal,and the kids would have enjoyed it too, although they didn't want to come home.

loving the algarve

loving the algarve

sandwhich bar