C layout

[Former_Member]

Anyone try a c shaped layout for your booth?

I usually do a walk in u shape but some shows have booths so close together that you can't get around your booth to get inside your u to restock and neaten up. I was drawing some layouts and if i use 3 five foot tables and one 2.5 foot table I could do a c shape with one 5 foot running across the front, a 5 foot entry, a 5 foot running down the side and a 5 foot and the 2.5 foot table across the back and have a 2.5 opening in the back to enter my booth for restocking and maintainance .

Any thoughts?

[Former_Member]

It sounds like it should work. I've been wondering about this as well. Most of the shows I've done leave little to no room to get out from behind the table or booth. I try to build in some kind of space to get around. When I've walked other shows I've tried to see what other people do to build in a check out space and space to get out from behind everything. I think this has been a difficult thing to put together-still retaining retail space but being realistic. I'm curious to hear how this works for you. It seems like the perfect solution-as long as people come into the booth.

[Former_Member]

Looking forward in the booth I use a broken "U" in reverse....or an upside down U. The back has a three foot card table where I pack and demonstrate. I leave a space between that table and the side walls where the drift wood hangs in multiple branches.

But always try to block off the back so I don't have kids trying to use my booth to cut through. Its a pet-peeve of mine.

Can you setup the "C" early this spring in your yard to get an idea of how it'll work for you?

[AmandaDoster]

I am not sure blocking off the entryway in any capacity is a good idea...If just one person is standing in the wrong spot, it would prevent other people from entering. I am trying to figure out my layout for this year as well. I think I probably will end up with a U (or an L if the booth is narrow) and then just building some height into my back display for some more room. I am also going to try putting my demonstrating area/packing area in one of the corners instead of behind the display. That way I can interact with the customers better. We will have to see. All the shows I am planning for have pretty generous spaces or are cheap enough to get 2 booths, so I will get to play with layout a bit this year.
If the C layout works for you, you will have to post pictures!

[AuraRosesTreasures]

It is difficult to visualize without photos.
The aisles that are left may be limiting.
Worse, I would not want the configuration to create any narrower of a space.
People are sensitive to being closed in and worse,
they may start bumping the tables.
Looking forward to seeing photos.
When I start setting up booths, I will post photos for critique.

[BohemianHollow]

I agree with Amber that blocking off any kind of entrance is a bad idea. There WILL be that one person, or two people, that will end up standing in that entrance space and block it from anyone else coming in. I personally wouldn't risk it.

I've never liked being behind my tables. I feel like I can't see my customers or my items they're asking about. So for the past few years I've been setting up my booth in a U shape (or L shape), as big as I could get it, and setting up a little checkout / wrapping station in one of the corners. That way I can walk around with my costumers and help them find anything they want or stay out of the way in the corner, but still involved. And talk about easy re-organizing and restocking! It's worked -really- well! :D

[Former_Member]

The u shape i usually do only has a 5 ft entrance as the tables are 29 inches wide and 2 of them making the u shape. So the entrance isn't any smaller, it is just moved to the side, the fire marshall requires a 4 foot exit so It should be ok. I'm pretty good about shoving customers politely out of the way if they block my entrance...a southern accent works wonders.

[Former_Member]

...a southern accent works wonders.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I'll remember that when I have customer's chatting it up in front of my booth.

Remembering many threads back, how we discussed politely asking those folks to walk away from the front of our booths.

Some thought I was being rude by politely guiding those folks away with a gentle hand to their upper back, "please would you not block my booth entrance"....yes, please, Thank you.

[Former_Member]

I find a polite heavy southern said 'if I could sqeeeeeeze by y'all' while exiting my booth moves any group of chatters away from my entrance lol. No need to touch but carrying something bulky helps even more.

[Mulchandmore]

I haven't diagrammed your C but I think you you might have left out the width of your tables- my 5 footers are about 2.5' wide, using the three 5-footers you will create a sideways U that will go clear to the back of your 10 foot space, the shorter table will leave you a corner space for your chair but still no behind the table to get to.
What about an L with the first two 5-footers, then your third 5-foot parallel to your back wall and opposite your entrance 5' you would still have your 2.5 foot space to get behind that table and could put the small table along the side, to make your L longer across the one side?

[Former_Member]

I haven't been to a show where i don't have space behind the tent so i don't need to have extra space behind the back table. My back set of tables are only 24" tho my front and side tables are 29", so there is an extra 14" in the back. If need be i can shove the back 5 footer up into the C a tad if I get into a show that has booths back to back. Plus normally I don't use a back wall as tents are more often than not too hot in florida and the breeze is welcome.

[Former_Member]

I'm gonna try it out next weekend(not this one). Next weekend I'm back outside. This weekend i'm inside and the tables are provided.

[Mulchandmore]

Oh, sorry I wasn't thinking outside/tent but inside (being in the north country my first outside show isn't until June) so I was thinking inside with a wall or another vendor directly behind too and no wiggle room:) Will be interested in how your C works for you.