Ask HN: Has anyone opened a physical business (store, coffee, food)?

I'm retiring early next year (early 50s, with sufficient income, not rich) and looking to do something completely different that scratches my entrepreneurial itch but also has a social, non-office element to it. I'm always inspired when I visit Japan by the small, owner-run speciality businesses you find everywhere.

I'd love to hear from those who've done similar things. What went right and wrong and what would you do differently.

Thanks