DATE: Monday, October 20, 1997              TAG: 9710180587

SECTION: BUSINESS                PAGE: D1   EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: SMALL BUSINESS Q&A

SOURCE: BY MELISSA GUNDEL, STAFF WRITER 

                                            LENGTH:   61 lines

WAITING FOR THE RIGHT PLACE, AND TIME, CAN PAY OFF LATER

Gloriaann Putnam and her husband, Bernie, have always wanted to have their own business. After years of research, they found one, but had to wait almost a year to open it. The Weekend Gardener, a Chesapeake-based home decor and garden franchise, opened Oct. 11 at Hilltop North Shopping Center.

What caused the delay?

We knew the geographical area we wanted, which was Hilltop, but there was nothing for lease. So we had to wait. By the time we made the first contact in choosing the final space to signing the lease, it took almost a year. Finally there was an opening. We purchased the franchise in November of 1995 and got the location in June of 1997. Renovation started in August. In the meantime, our garage and two large storage units were filled with merchandise.

What did you do in the meantime?

We went to the trade shows and also started to get to know all the vendor catalogs. Before we got the property, we did look for other locations. However, the locations were too big, didn't have the right traffic and the parking wasn't good.

Why did you want to start your business in Virginia Beach?

We liked the environment, area and people here. We also did a lot of marketing and area research and decided this is the area we wanted to be in.

How did you find out what franchise worked for you?

You can research franchises by computer, magazines and the library, but we didn't do it that way. We did it more of a conventional way. We visited different stores and talked to store owners. We saw an article in the newspaper on The Weekend Gardener and that's what drew us to their store. We stopped by the store in Chesapeake and talked to the owners and decided that was the store we wanted.

How did the franchise help you?

Going with a franchise guides you so you don't have to completely invent the wheel. This particular franchise helps you with preliminary descriptions and the business cost analysis. They've already gone through the financial aspect and they share what they learned with you. They also have done a lot of research on vendors - which vendors carry good products and are good reputable people. They also know some of the products that work and the ones that don't.

What distinguishes your store from others?

It has very unique and very selective items. You're not going to see these items at HQ or Lowe's. You can find anything for the home or garden - artwork, plaques, very high quality pots, plant stands, hand-tuned chimes. . . in some of the different displays. There's a gargoyle looking at himself in the mirror. We also have Zoo Doo, which is manure that is shaped like an animal and can be used as fertilizer for plants when it breaks down.

What advice would you offer?

Spend a lot of time talking to people in the other stores and make sure you're in the right location for the clientele you want to attract. Have a lot of patience because things don't always go as planned. Everything seems to take longer than you anticipate. ILLUSTRATION: Color photo

Gloriaann Putnam

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