Demonstrating that it's possible to profit from any human desire, Sarah's Smash Shack was conceived to relieve people who are stressed-out. Customers in San Diego can choose fragile tableware from the Smash Shack Menu—for example a set of three glass flowers for USD 10, or the House Special, which consists of 15 plates at a cost of USD 45. They're also welcome to bring in their own breakables to pulverise for a 'corkage fee' that starts at USD 20. After donning protective gear, smashers are escorted to one of the break rooms, where they stand behind a waist-high barrier and hurl their arsenal at a stainless steel wall. To make the process more personalised, customers are encouraged to bring their own soundtrack on MP3, and to write messages on whatever they're about to throw. There's also the option of flinging objects at a photo or mantra of choice. A VIP room is available for group smashes.
Since August 2008, the shack has helped quite a few customers vent their frustration and release their tension. Or just plain enjoy the process of harmless destruction without having to clean up after themselves. It's hard to tell whether the credit crunch has benefited or hindered the business's success, making customers thriftier but also more stressed and up for smashing... Aware that it's not cool not to care about the environment, the shack donates its broken glass and ceramic to mosaic art programs throughout the United States.
While the whole concept might sound a bit nutty, this could be a lucrative small business to set up elsewhere, especially for entrepreneurs who can get their hands on cheap vacant retail space for a year or two. Entry costs are relatively low and, well, that human urge to smash stuff is universal ;-)
Website: www.smashshack.com
Contact: www.smashshack.com/Contact_Us.html
Spotted by: Colleen Ma
Is is just me, or does that room that you get to smash in look like it was designed to make you feel more stressed out? The tiled black and white pattern with yellow?
I think I've heard that these are prevalent in Japan and have been around for decades.
For a cheap and easy alternative, when you take your glass bottles to the recycling bin, hurl them in with extra force. Not only free, but eco-friendly! ;-)
In this economy I'm sure there are plenty of frustrated people wanting and willing to smash items - but are they willing to pay?
A restaurant in the Philippines has been offering this as a side attraction since 2006.
Here's the link to the news article:
http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=news04_mar30_2006
Here's a blog with pictures: http://anton.blogs.com/awesome/2006/08/tacsiyapo_wall_.html
I'm sorry but this strikes me as the most pointless business idea I think I've ever seen on Springwise! After reading about ColaLife, the bottom line audience benefit for this seems to help self-obsessed nutty people waste their money!I agree with Kelly - go to the bottle bank, it's free and makes sense!
Brilliant. I've always wanted to smash a bunch of plates. Now I have a place to do it.
Trust me, it's not that fun. When I was moving out of an apartment recently, I had several cheap glass plates that I had no room for when packing. So I broke one on the kitchen floor and found it to be less fun than I originally anticipated. I opted to simply place the others in the dumpster outside.
To: Steve
It's not fun because you have to clean it up.
This is a great idea and it was a niche.