Page 175 - One Thousand Ways to Make $1000

An awning extends over the counter built around the can. A stand designed to
resemble a huge basket of colorful vegetables would make a most novel
advertisement for the sale of farm produce. While the country is dotted with
many a “coffee pot,” one such refreshment stand is unusual in that it has an
apartment above the store proper where the owner lives. A cider barrel or an
old mill would tell the world that you sell cider, and an igloo would advertise
cooling drinks and ice cream. Often these novel stands cost little more than
the usual type to build and the advertising value is incalculable. Motorists
will pass dozens of ordinary stands, but an unusual one is bound to command
their attention.

The display stand is not the only type of roadside business that flourishes,
however. Many proprietors of golf driving ranges are making a good living
catering to the inveterate golfer who is “just out for a ride” in his car. The
“pony ride” is just as popular today with youngsters as it was years ago, and
children will clamor for a ride whenever they see a pony. One man in
Chicago made a good living for many years with his little string of ponies.
When he retired and sold out his concession and ponies, he cleared several
thousand dollars. Since archery is becoming popular again, archery practice
fields are springing up along the highways. Bicycle stands are common and
also riding academies. A successful riding academy near Chicago was once
an old farm. The farmhouse has been turned into an inn and about two dozen
riding horses are stabled in the barns. Groups of young people come out on
Saturdays and Sundays for a gallop and dinner. Many students on vacations
come out during the week.

Another rather novel roadside enterprise was developed by a young man just
out of school who was finding it difficult to get a job. He bought several
inexpensive cameras and rented them at the entrance to a large picnic grove.
A deposit was required on each camera and a small fee was charged for
rental. He added to his profits by selling rolls of film at his little stand. A
small enterprise of this type is bound to succeed. The overhead is practically
nothing, and it fills a need that no one else is bothering to fill, always an
important factor in drawing customers. Candy bars, chewing gum, packaged
nuts and other items can be added to increase profits.