Page 108 - One Thousand Ways to Make $1000

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FEW years ago, Henry Fisher lost his job in a restaurant. He took fifty
dollars from his small savings account, rented space in a Chicago Loop office
building, and opened up a hamburger shop. In three months, Henry’s
business became so profitable, he opened two more shops, which he now
operates successfully.

“The space secured for my first location was hardly big enough to turn
around in,” he said. “I hoped to be able to get additional space later, add a
regular line of restaurant food, and serve coffee, tea and milk. But I decided
against this policy during my first week and specialized in hamburger
sandwiches. These were a little larger than ordinary, and I sold them for a
dime. People working in the building crowded around at noon, and it was at
once apparent that they wanted quick service more than anything else. As
news of my stand got around the building, I had considerable difficulty
keeping up with the crowd’s demand during the noon hour.

“My investment in equipment amounted to sixteen dollars. Rent for the six-
by-ten-foot space was thirty-three dollars a month. I did no advertising. I
hadn’t figured on it, for I hadn’t planned on staying in that small space very
long. As I was serving a better hamburger sandwich for a dime (one covered
with relish in which a little mayonnaise dressing was mixed on a rye bun—
sometimes known as ‘Vienna’ style), they sold themselves. On my first day, I
took in twenty-four dollars. My expenses ran to fifteen. The second day was a
little better and by the end of the week, I figured I was on my way. My wife,
who was as excited over the success of this first stand as I was, urged me not
to be satisfied with one location, but to open a second stand. However, we
had difficulty finding a spot for it, since few office buildings had suitable
space available and those having such space wanted too much for it. So we
chose a small room on the second floor of an industrial building which was
almost entirely devoted to the printing industry. One typesetting company
employed a hundred and twenty men, and a printing company occupying two
floors employed six hundred men and girls. Our success in this spot was
immediate. The workers patronized us because we were convenient and gave
them a satisfying sandwich for a dime, which was about all many wanted to