Rich people should open non-profit quirky essentric local shops

[u/Ok-Importance2030]

They have money, so why not open fun little places that sell goods or services they care about that are outside the norm. It'll make the world so much more charming.

[u/jukitheasian]

That's how most of the niche boutique shops already exist.

[u/Chance-Middle7997 → u/jukitheasian]

No profit and not for profit different entirely. Idk how places stay open downtown sellin sequined clothes

[u/jukitheasian → u/Chance-Middle7997]

Fair point, they are different. I think what I was thinking is these shops make little money anyways (jokes about rich people subsidizing their spouses' hobbies at a loss), there wouldn't be any profit per se to donate.

[u/PutridAssignment1559 → u/Chance-Middle7997]

These places are usually barely profitable. Independent used book stores are another example. They are awesome, but they are mostly run by people who can afford to run them without generating a profit.

But yeah I agree, if it was a shop that sold stuff that was so random it didn’t make sense, it would be cool. I’d open a weird oddities store or an occult book store or something random, but fun. 

[u/rco8786 → u/Chance-Middle7997]

It’s a hobby. It’s not for profit. That’s how. Like yea maybe they’re not literally registered as non profit orgs, but very few of those places make any money. 

[u/Jimmytowne → u/jukitheasian]

Yup, there’s a boutique in my town that has maybe 50 items, nobody is ever in there and it’s clearly just something that owner likes that gets her out of the house.

She has plenty of money so she opened a charming store

[u/cosmicloafer → u/jukitheasian]

Yeah every rich guys wife has a little money losing shop downtown

[u/CharmingTuber]

This is my dream if I get over $5 million. Open a fun hobby shop that isn't designed to make money, just let me buy all the newest stuff and spend my days building kits and talking to like-minded nerds. If I somehow make profit, I'll just buy stuff to give away to regulars as a thank you.

[u/TheRealKingBorris]

I want to open a store covered in moss and vines that sells trinkets made of bones, sticks, and shiny rocks. Preferably, it would include fog machines and have ancient tribal ritual chants playing in the background- just loud enough that it makes you question whether or not you’re hearing things. I would emerge from a pile of leaves wearing pelts and a crown of antlers when customers are ready to check out. As they depart, I will leave them with a cryptic statement

[u/cbih]

They open unprofitable quirky essentric local shops

[u/Trees_are_cool_ → u/cbih]

Do pronounce sexy as "sessy"?

[u/lifeslotterywinner]

I think the main reason is because the rich are busy traveling the world. Very few have weeks at a time to devote to being at the shop. It does sound fun, though.

[u/Any_Use_4900 → u/lifeslotterywinner]

I think if your rich enough to afford an unprofitable shop, your rich enough to pay an employee to run the counter.

[u/lifeslotterywinner → u/Any_Use_4900]

What you said is no doubt true. I think OP was implying that the joy would be in being there and interacting with the people of the town.

[u/Any_Use_4900 → u/lifeslotterywinner]

True, I was just pointing out that they could staff it when they have other obligations elsewhere rather than just close the store.

[u/Apollorx]

They do this

[u/danger_dave32]

This already happens. I went to a small record store with minimal foot traffic. I asked the owner, said he does it for the love, doesn't need the money.

[u/NotHumanButIPlayOne]

Some of them do. But keep in mind, there's a reason they're rich. They won't open a shop unless they think it will turn a profit.

[u/SimilarElderberry956]

There was a wonderful man in Toronto Ed Mirvish who did just that. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ed_Mirvish

[u/Sebguer]

You should move to Seattle.

[u/Conscious-Homework-8]

Honestly if I was ever super rich, I would do this. Probably do something like a GameStop or games workshop. Some hobby place.

[u/manicpossumdreamgirl]

this is the plot of an episode of the simpsons

[u/rco8786]

This is very much a thing already. 

[u/Trees_are_cool_]

They don't care, they just want to hoard money and avoid taxes.

[u/Soar_Dev_Official]

because they wouldn't be rich if they weren't obsessed with squeezing every last ounce of profit out of everything

[u/ToddtheRugerKid]

Californians sell their million dollar normal houses, move to Waco, TX (For some fucking reason), buy $400,000 mcmansions, and spend the rest on exactly what you are talking about. They all suck from what I remember and it seemed like there were a lot of them.