Choosing the Right Site for Your Salon

By Dale Willerton

There are many factors which combine to be critical to the success of your tanning salon – among the most prevalent would be proper site selection. You cannot spend too much time initially selecting the right spot for your salon. This property will be your business home for many years. Considering the great significance of site selection, here are a number of questions I have fielded on the subject.

I am looking for a commercial site for my first tanning salon. What are some things to consider before agreeing to lease a space?

There are many factors (and far too many to summarize in such a brief article) involved with the best site for your salon. When we are conducting site selection for a tanning tenant, we evaluate the space itself: Is this too large or too small for a tanning tenant’s needs? Remember, you are typically paying rent per square foot, so any additional unused space can cost you. We also look at the space for usability: Are there any pillars or long hallways with which you can do nothing? Your new business neighbors will also play an important role in your decision: Are these tenants conducive or detrimental to your tanning business? On the subject of neighboring tenants, we also determine who the anchor tenants are in the property and their interest in remaining. The anchors bring in a great deal of traffic to the property, so it’s vital to know of their long-term leasing plans. Remember to consider accessibility as well; many of your clients may not like to turn left off a busy thoroughfare across two lanes of oncoming traffic into your parking lot.

How many prospective sites should I view before making a decision?

In my opinion, you can never look at too many possible locations for your salon. When you view multiple properties, you can better compare one against another. Create a checklist and take notes on each property as you look through them. Along the way, collect written proposals from landlords/leasing agents that you can use as leverage with other landlords/leasing agents. Another recommendation is for you to view properties in reverse order of your preference (beginning with the least desirable location first). By doing so, you will gain increased confidence in dealing with agents and, therefore, be more in control of the negotiating process.

I am looking at two possible locations for my new salon. The first is a better location with higher rent, while the second is a lesser spot but with a reduced rent. Which would you advise I choose?

Given this scenario, I would always recommend the better location (even at a higher rent). Remember, it is your location that primarily draws your customers – and it’s one of the hardest things to change after you open your doors for business.

While you will be eager to open your tanning salon for business, exercise patience. Don’t quit your day job too soon! I recall one recent client who evaluated many options for his business and finally chose a spot following a year and a half of viewing potential properties.  The right site for him and his business just was not available any sooner.

Got a leasing question? Would you like to receive a complimentary copy of Dale’s CD, “Leasing Do’s & Don’ts for Tanning Salon Tenants?” E-mail dalewillerton@theleasecoach.com to see your questions answered in an upcoming article.

Dale Willerton is The Lease Coach – a senior lease consultant who works exclusively for tenants. As an ITA member, he has spoken at many North American tanning conventions and will be presenting at Smart Tan Downtown 2011 in Nashville (Oct. 14 - 16, 2011). Willerton is the author of “Negotiate Your Tanning Salon Lease or Renewal.” Call him at 800.738.9202, e-mail dalewillerton@theleasecoach.com, or visit www.theleasecoach.com or www.helpuleasetanning.com.