How to Choose the Perfect Location for Your Salon Space to Lease

Is it time to open, move, or grow your salon space? Whether you’re focused on hair, nails, or other services, you’re going to want to find the perfect space for your new location.  But what should you look for? Here are some things to consider when searching for your perfect salon space to lease.

Demographics

The demographics of the area around your new space are vital.  The demographic of a potential location should match the demographic of your intended customer base. Is your business a discount or full-service salon? You may want to find a location with families if you are doing family haircuts but if you are looking for full-service, high-end salon traffic, you may be looking more at higher income levels. 

While you’re looking at demographics, don’t forget to find out where the traffic in front of the space is going and when people are in the area.  For example, if you’re on the “going-home” side of the street (easy access for people traveling home from work) you might get more after-work traffic than if you are on the other side of the street.   Also, if you’re located in an area with a large daytime population but clears out in the evening, most of your business may end up being during business hours, whereas if you find space near a residential area you’ll get more of that evening and weekend business.

How many bowls do you need?

If you plan to operate a hair salon where you will need to do washes, there may be an advantage to finding a space that was already once used as a hair salon. Second-generation space may already have the infrastructure you need (like plumbing) to handle your expected needs.  You may even get the partitioned chair areas, waiting areas and other buildout already in place!

How many chairs?

Size of space will be important. Will you have enough? Too much space is wasted, but too little space means lost revenue. You’ll want to know how much space you need for every station.  If your stylists are renting that space from you or employed by you may also make a difference as you’ll want to make the area inviting to potential stylists. Also, a spa salon, will require larger, more private spaces than a nail salon, but even a hair stylist will need space for their tools and any product they’re selling at their personalized stations.

You’ll also need space for waiting areas as well as equipment. And if you’re going to rent out space to, say, outside therapists, makeup artists, or other complimentary services, you’ll need to include that in your considerations. These types of uses often require more private areas – and more space.

Competitors…and Complimentary Uses

It is important to give consideration to the type of businesses already located at and around the location you’re looking at. You want to know the competition within the immediate area that you are considering.  Some of the things you will need to look at are as follows:

• Price points
• Operating hours
• Product lines
• Services
• YELP ratings
• Google ratings
• Access/easy in and out
• How long have they been in business?
• When are theIr busy times?
• What type of clientele do they cater to?
• Anything else that you feel is relevant to your business

Also, don’t forget to check out the complimentary businesses located proximate to your salon. Setting up shop near other businesses allows for walk-in customers, cross-traffic and cross-advertising. Remember, if you’re putting your salon in a neighborhood shopping center, you’re sharing parking space and visibility, so find a place with shops you know will also appeal to your customers. Other things to consider:

• Are there other stores that will compliment your salon within the center?
• Is the center busy
• When are the peak hours of the center?
• What type of customer does the center bring

Opening a new salon is an exciting time – and finding the perfect salon space to lease can feel daunting.  Do your homework and ask lots of questions.  But looking at the demographics and surrounding businesses, being specific about your space needs and considering second-generation space are all a great start to begin your search for space.