Small Business Focus: A Case Study

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This column is sponsored by Biz Launcha division of Arlington Economic Development.

by Alex Held

Relocating a small business to a new space is a major undertaking that comes with many challenges. Moving to a different location can be a daunting task for small businesses, whether due to expansion, cost considerations, or changes in the business landscape.

When Reena Bawa, Founder of beauty fair hairdresserslearned that he needed to find a new location after running his Columbia Pike business in the same location for more than 35 years, the process seemed daunting. Fortunately, she had BizLaunch to help her find a new space for her business.

First, finding a suitable space that meets the needs of the business can be a major hurdle. Generally, this process can take from one to three years. In Arlington, particularly along Columbia Pike, it can be hard to find vacant commercial space, and with little supply, rents are rising. Currently, the retail vacancy rate along Columbia Pike is 2.8%. This challenge can be further amplified if a client is looking for industrial space, which CoStar reports has a 0.8% vacancy rate in Arlington.

In the case of Beauty Fair Hairstylists, Bawa was already double the industry average (about 17% of sales) in rent and facing another increase in current space. However, Bawa knew he wanted to stay close to his customer base along Columbia Pike and keep the space easily accessible.

Through Relaunch, Beauty Fair was able to leverage Revby’s experience to explore different options, such as buying a space, leasing another space, or staying in the existing location with a rent increase. However, with the rising cost of acquisition, construction and rental, none of those options made financial sense or aligned with Bawa’s objectives. Therefore, she decided to rent space within an existing hair salon. Such an arrangement is commonly known in the industry as a booth rental.

Once it was clear in which direction Bawa wanted to go, the BizLaunch team identified several leasing opportunities throughout Arlington. Eventually, Bawa settled into his new location inside Samaris Hair Salon at 38 S. Glebe Road.

Once the location was selected, the logistical challenges of the move came into play. Small businesses must plan and coordinate the physical relocation of equipment, inventory, and furnishings, which can be complex and disruptive to daily operations. In Bawa’s case, since she would be renting out the space in an existing salon, much of her equipment was no longer needed, forcing her to liquidate or store equipment.

In addition, BizLaunch supported Beauty Fair during the move, helping her update her address and request a certificate of partial occupancy for her new space, while also supporting her in the transition. In this case, Bawa had been in her location for over three decades and was understandably attached to the location. It was part of her business identity and it was important not to lose that identity.

Another major challenge is notifying customers, customers, and vendors about the relocation. Small businesses rely heavily on their existing networks, and a move can disrupt established relationships. Communicating the new address and contact information is crucial to maintaining strong connections and minimizing any potential loss of business.

Fortunately, Revby was able to help develop collateral, such as flyers and business cards with the new address, and updated the website and Google My Business page, letting customers know about the change. Additionally, the Revby team was able to help extract customer information from the owner’s phone into a spreadsheet, easily accessible in one place.

“While the adjustment has been difficult, I am grateful for the resources Arlington has brought to my business, as well as the support of my clients and colleagues within Samaris Hair Salon,” says Bawa.

For businesses facing a relocation decision, please contact BizLaunch as soon as possible, as finding suitable space for your business may take some time. schedule some time with one of our experts today. For more information about BizLaunch, visit www.bizlaunch.org.