Actually, the Monticello (IL) Railway Museum, where I do volunteer work, just spent a great deal of effort (and money) on a new and larger restroom building. The old one wasn't bad, but the new one (complete with wheelchair-accessible stalls and baby changing tables) has elicited many favorable comments from our customers.

pnichol6@prodigy.net

It was about two years ago that I took over all of the purchasing activities for the gift shop at the East Troy Electric Railroad Museum. It has been both a rewarding and frustrating experience.

The first year I was getting complaints from the old guard gift shop volunteers that I was getting to many "new" vendors! Yes vendors that return phone calls, ship on a timely basis at a fair price. To that I plead guilty. Based on our sales figures it looks as if we have made the correct decisions.

The old attitude was; "it will sell eventually". Tell me how can a not-for-profit afford to hold "dead inventory". You can't, just try to recover your costs.

Here are a few tips that have worked for us:
1). Create your own brand (T-shirts & Wood Whistles with your logo are perfect starters).
2). Keep your inventory fresh, purchase new items as soon as they are available.
3). Work on a Just-in-time basis to keep a good cash flow throughout the limited operating season.

We have not gone to an online system yet, but we have been very successful selling over different railroad oriented groups. There is a Yahoo Group on almost every topic of railroading and many allow sales over their chat boards at no charge to your organization.

We have received many compliments from our visitors on our selection of items for all ages, so we must be on the right track.

Sincerely:

Dennis Stanczak
East Troy Electric Railroad Museum

> All the above posts are well thought-out.
> Being a product manufacturer I deal with a
> few stores and museum gift shops. There are
> a few that have their act together and a lot
> more that are living in 1950!

> Mostly I hear things like we don't have any
> money! Well duh, if you sold this or that
> you might!

> I got write a small book on experiences that
> are even sorta laughable in this regard, but
> I don't want to bore you.

> I can however mention one experience where I
> contacted a museum gift shop regarding a
> video we had just completed that dealt with
> a subject that actually ran by their place.
> We don't have any money right now!! Well
> this train was running there again later,
> and I contacted a sponsoring group, who took
> some on consignment. Guess what that group
> made $500.00 extra for the day with little
> or now work.

> I later checked in this gift shop when I was
> in the area and they only had old stock of
> things that were unrelated to the area. So,
> there is your lack of PR and marketing right
> at home folks!

> Heck I think every outfit should have a nice
> gift shop with stuff for kids, mom and pop,
> the casual fans(t-shirts, etc), and some
> stuff for the railfan as well. Remember you
> are trying to preserve some history aren't
> you....then have something related to that
> for sale as well.

> In addition everyone should have some sort
> of on-line gift shop. This is a no-brainer.
> It can be run during the off-season as well.
> It can't be that hard. Internet stuff is not
> that expensive and someone in the group
> might be able to do a lot of the work. If
> not you can talk to my web guy if you like.

> As I like to say, there is one guy who is
> well known in the rail video market, and its
> not cause their tapes are way superior than
> everyone elses.
> They could sell Ice to Eskimos, and that
> comes through agressive marketing!!!

> Just some of my experiences that hopefully
> can help someone!
> Greg Scholl


http://www.easttroyrr.org
denmarst@earthlink.net

In the general vein of amenities, it might interest you to know that one of the MOT's big capital projects is a "comfort station" forther into the grounds. Along with the expanded trolley loop, it will be replacing the old volunteer parking lot. It will include restroom facilities closer to the Roberts Building, (The large display building at the Southeast corner of the grounds.)

Sincerely,
David Ackerman

david_ackerman@yahoo.com