[glenra]

...or perhaps the addition of one more competitor makes this area become known as "the ice cream district", pulling in ice-cream-seeking customers from surrounding areas and attracting complementary businesses, with the new competition and higher profile making all three shops more successful and better-known than they otherwise would be.

[DoreenMichele]

I've never heard of an ice cream district. Supporting articles welcome. (I'm aware of, say, fashion districts or restaurant districts.)

I'm genuinely interested in what kind of research one should do if they want to successfully start a restaurant. I will likely look around myself at some point, but if anyone wants to give me links to good stuff, I will totes give one whole free upvote in exchange.