[AFB24911S]

Brainstorming an idea I've been kicking around for a clubhouse for car enthusiasts. I want to buy an old service station or mechanic's garage, strip it and renovate it into a fancy clubhouse, and provide car storage/minor service/DIY service bay rentals for fellow car enthusiasts. There would also be nice leather couches, big TVs, a beer fridge, wine, liquor, exercise equipment, everything a young car enthusiast living in a cheap, small apartment doesn't have and everything a seasoned (older), wealthier car enthusiast who's sick of their country club would want.

I work in construction engineering, so I know almost exactly what it would cost to do the renovation, but I have no idea how much people would be willing to pay for the car storage, the club experience, or a space with tools to work on their cars. I can change oil and brake pads relatively quickly on just about any car, but I don't think I'd want to offer my services on anything more extensive than that. Maybe just helping out fellow club members with their projects for a small, small fee.

I've got to imagine that the insurance on this kind of a place would be astronomical. Maybe a good deal less without the alcohol, but still a lot especially if the cars I stored were worth anything.

Matt Farah of Westside Collector Car Storage seems to have a good gig going in Los Angeles; I live in Denver, Colorado, but the car community is really thriving here too and a lot of wealthy people have some very, very expensive cars. I can imagine a world in which bringing another gorgeous collectible home, even one they can easily afford, would miff their partner and having a fun place to keep it and talk cars with other people might be fun.

What do YOU think? Would you pay for membership in a club like this? What would you want, what don't you want? What's a dealbreaker? Most importantly, what's your budget for something like this?