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Moving Practice within Colorado

I presently rent space in a wellness center in Aurora, where there is no walk-in traffic. I am leaving the group the end of October to another location, in Littleton, Englewood or Denver. Still looking at properties to lease but what should I keep in mind? I've never done this before but feel my practice needs a jump start to a new location. I am intending to share the property with non-massage therapists; my husband and a friend are opening a memorabilia store in the same location but as a separate business. Any advice? Anyone rent in a shopping center and if so, what has been your experience? We want a store front with lots of traffic, not in an office building.

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Robin Wiggs on October 4, 2010 at 6:47pm

Hi Susan...I haven't rented a 'storefront' but I have had a single room within an office building. Your main concern is that you clients will feel comfortable coming to your office. the other main concerns would be safety, atmosphere, noise level, privacy. Make sure if you are renting a storefront that you don't have an assemble line or arcade on the other side of your walls. Also, you will need to know your clients, if it is necessary for them to walk through the memorabilia store to get to the massage room, will they be comfortable with that.

Permalink Reply by Lisa Parker on October 5, 2010 at 11:19am

Hello Susan,

I have recently started looking for space on my own and I would say that you should be aware of a few financial things. First of all CAMS are an additional charge above and beyond your rent. They are for property taxes, snow removal, parking lot maintenance, etc. Also if a property charges "triple net" this means you and the other tenants within the shopping center are responsible for all of those charges. They will take your square footage and divide it by the square footage of the entire center and charge you a percentage according to the ratio of your space to the entire center's space. These charges can get pretty pricey and in some instances they very from month to month. So when you ask about the cost of your rent make sure you understand all of the additional costs as well. I also found that most places give you a cost per square foot this may or may not include the CAMS or Triple net so make sure you ask about that. Here is how you can calculate it:
Example:
Cost per square foot: $18 total square footage: 1,200
Multiply these two numbers: 18 X 1200= 21,600 that is your yearly cost for that space.
Divide by 12(months)= 1,800 per month
This will give you a basic idea of what you can afford. Most newer shopping centers will be upwards of $20 to $23 per square foot but you can find places for as little as $6 to $8 per square foot. I hope this helps you and happy hunting!!

Lisa Parker, CMT

Permalink Reply by Susan Clingman on October 5, 2010 at 8:41pm

Robin & Lisa,

Thank you for your quick replies to my post. I think we are down to two buildings, but need to take a tour and discuss the details. One storefront has a separate entry in the back, as well as a parking lot in the rear (and street parking). This would be perfect because my clients could park in the back and not walk through the front of the store. The other is sandwiched between a camera store, artist studio, which does classes, and a picture framing store. Huge parking lot shared by all of the businesses. The second one used to be a salon, so it has a back room, but no rear entry.

Permalink Reply by DharmaLynne D Fuller on November 10, 2010 at 3:33pm

If you want to stretch a bit more on distance, I have a massage shop in Fort Collins I am willing to sell. My life has changed, and I really need more time flexibility than it currently allows me. I have a store with an office, retail up front, Migun beds behind it in the same area, then 2 massage rooms, a separate room with foot spa chairs for ion cleanses, then a back area with bathroom and storage + deep sink for washing up you and any tools. It's in a strip mall with healers & other retail with quiet yet steady traffic. You could even run a small memorabilia shop out of the current office as it has its own entry door.
(I hope the picture attaches) Please contact me via email if you are interested please contact me. ought2detox@qwestoffice.net

Permalink Reply by Susan Clingman on November 10, 2010 at 4:37pm

DharmaLynn, thanks for the offer. Fort Collins is a bit far to travel for me, we live in southeast Aurora. We think we've found a place in Englewood at Federal & Belleview, which are both really busy streets. Hopefully we can move in December 1st, so I can start doing gift certificates for the holidays.

Permalink Reply by DharmaLynne D Fuller on November 10, 2010 at 6:14pm

If you know anyone interested please send them my way. Blessings on your new site!