By Joe Palumbo
The song told us, “Life is a cabaret, old chum, so come to the cabaret.”
Society refers to a cabaret as a gentleman’s club. It is a place where people (and not just men) escape and relax in another world, one of enjoying fine food, sipping champagne or delighting in a drink and viewing live entertainment, albeit not rated G.
I had an interesting discussion with Mr. Ron, of High Heels, which is one such club at 248-58 Rockaway Blvd. in Rosedale. The club opened this past Oct. 31 and has invested in creating an ambiance of glass and mirror, with grand staircases, dramatic lighting and sound systems. Guests are pampered and their every need is attended.
The High Heels management does not want its atmosphere to be equated with that of a disco pickup. The business’ focus is that of an excellent professional operation where people come (and Ron was quick to say that many couples attend, as well) to sit back and be pampered in comfort, he said.
High Heels also caters to bachelor and corporate parties in its private “sky box.” Its owners want to remove the perception of the “bad boy” dwelling, and Ron said people can come to this type of locale knowing that its focus is on good, clean fun.
Ron pointed out that business is moving in a positive direction.
Consumer spending for this type of enjoyment is quite elective and can fall into the travel and resort category of discretionary expense. Drawing business is not an easy task in an uncertain economy with jobs hard to find and those holding them wondering if their next envelope will contain a pink slip.
Nonetheless, the new club is doing quite well, Ron said. As in any business, marketing will be key in its development and growth.
So how’s business for this 21st century club? Growth will be quite explosive as soon as the uncertainty of the geopolitical problem of Iraq is settled, leading the way to a smooth economical recovery. Look for earnings to grow steadily with the prospect of sharp growth in an expected revived economy.
Joe Palumbo is the fund manager for The Palco Group, Inc. and can be reached at palcogroup@aol.com or 1-718-461-8317.
