Zoning and permitted use come before anything else
Before falling in love with a space, confirm it's zoned for your type of business and that a salon/shop or spa use is permitted there — check with your city or county planning department. A great-looking space that isn't properly zoned for your business type is not a shortcut worth taking.
Never sign a lease contingent on zoning approval you haven't actually confirmed. Verify permitted use in writing before you're financially committed.
Beyond foot traffic: what actually matters
Foot traffic matters more for some business types (a walk-in-friendly barbershop) than others (an appointment-only med spa where clients drive specifically to see you). Consider:
- Visibility and signage — can potential clients actually see and identify your business from the road?
- Parking — inadequate parking is a common, avoidable reason clients choose a competitor instead.
- Proximity to your target customer — is this location actually convenient for the client base you're trying to reach?
- Nearby complementary businesses — being near (not necessarily next to) related businesses can create natural referral opportunities.
Lease terms worth negotiating
- Length and renewal options — enough stability to justify your buildout investment, without locking in longer than you're confident about.
- Buildout allowance — some landlords will contribute toward renovation costs, especially for a longer lease term.
- Exclusivity clauses — in a shopping center, whether the landlord can lease to a directly competing business nearby.
Have a lease reviewed by a professional before signing, even if it feels like a delay you'd rather skip. Commercial leases are usually much harder to exit early than most new owners expect.
Home-based as an alternative
If a commercial lease doesn't make sense for your stage of business, see our Home-Based Beauty Business Considerations guide for what that alternative involves.
Frequently asked questions
How much space do I actually need? This depends entirely on your service mix and capacity goals — work backward from how many stations/rooms you need at your target capacity, plus reception and retail space, rather than picking a space size first.
Should I choose based on rent cost alone? No — a cheaper space with poor visibility, inadequate parking, or the wrong zoning can cost you far more in lost business than the rent difference from a better location.