What Should Go Here: Castro Street @Dana St.

There’s a nice space on Castro Street that’s been sitting vacant for about a year.  What do you think is missing from Castro Street?

The space is at 329 Castro Street between Dana & California.  It used to be a Church of Scientology.  I spoke with the broker and says the market is heating up and there have been several businesses inquiring about the space.  Although there isn’t a kitchen they are open to restaurants as well as retail.

Generally, the first couple of requirements the property owner looks for is if the business has the finances to build out the space properly and to fund it for a few years before it turns a profit.  Then they need to be convinced that the operators have the experience.  

And then somewhere in there they try to figure out if there’s demand for their product or service.  Sometimes it’s obvious, sometimes it isn’t and this is more of an art than a science.  And some property owners, not implying this one, aren’t really concerned as long as they think they can pay their rent for the duration of the lease.  But that could end up with a business that very few people want and it doesn’t help anybody.

Do you feel like there’s anything missing from Castro Street?  If so, please suggest it on Spotmojo using this link:
http://www.spotmojo.com/openspot/329castro/

Mountain View Patch is working with Spotmojo to collect your ideas for filling vacancies.  Michael Hsueh is the co-founder of Spotmojo.  Spotmojo is a website where you can suggest the businesses you want where you live, work, or play.  The suggestions are used to help new businesses find the perfect location.  This gives you a voice in the businesses that open in your neighborhood and it helps local businesses succeed.