Would you like to hear from someone who opened a store 10 months ago....and closed it this week? You should be aware of the obstacles you can be facing in today's economy.
Check the story in one of my blog posts at:
http://TheSmallBusinessNanny.blogspot.com
Building a business online is my recommendation. I started there, found a great niche, took it from "clicks to bricks" and now back to just online. If all goes well online, you keep more of your profits and aren't factoring huge overhead. If you don't make it in one market, you have many more options at very little investment. Open a retail store and you are stuck with that location, that market, that overhead for years. An internet business gives you flexibility and a multitude of options.
Opening any business, online or otherwise, takes a great deal of due diligence. Check out those retail books but be sure they are currently written to give a perspective on today's economy situation.
Good luck and keep brainstorming!
Jay