Have You Ever Moved Your Business? Here’s What Our Brain Squad Says

Yes: 37%

• More space … more visibility. Customers gladly accepted it since it was only about 2 miles from our previous location. — Frank Frattini, The Hungry Puppdy, Farmingdale, NJ
• The motivation for moving my business was to expand (add a bakery and more retail space.) The building owner was selling the building and therefore would not extend a long lease. It went over well with clients. I sent them newsletters, posted big signs in my old windows directing to the new location, and posted on social media. Tip 1: Use your local city agencies to see if you are eligible for a store front improvement programs, discounted programs through your utility company and more. It’s takes longer but results in HUGE savings! Tip 2: Especially for groomers … before you negotiate your lease, ask if there is HOT WATER. — Leel Michelle, Bow Wow Beauty Shoppe, San Diego, CA
• We have moved twice. In some ways, it is almost like starting a new business each time. No matter that you shout it to the rooftops, you will have people pull up and rattle the door as you are packing. Best thing we did was put signs in the window of the old location to tell people where we went. — Connie Roller, The Feed Bag Pet Supply, Grafton, WI
• When we added the coffee shop we moved from a 1,500-square-foot location to a 3,000-square-foot space. Thankfully, it was only across the street. I created a “Wheel of Fortune” board each day for the two weeks preceding the move and had our followers guess letters. I “turned over” a new letter each day until our new name and addition of the coffee shop was revealed. Then I let them know the address. It was a fun way to get their attention and keep them following us. — Wendy Megyese, Muttigans, Emerald Isle, NC
• We moved the business about 100 yards south to double the size with much better parking. It was easier for customers to find us. We told them over a 3-month time period using Facebook, our monthly newsletter and word of mouth. We gained customers right from the opening. — Nancy Okun, Cats n Dogs, Port Charlotte, FL
• By moving one block away, we were able to cut our rent by more than half. We did not lose customers. — Jack Carey, Amoskeag Pet Supply, Manchester, NH
• Grew out of old space. Customers all accepted the move (but it was less than half a mile from the original location). We sent email blasts, used social media and had signs up all over the old location. Also, we shared on the phone when customers called. — Myra Tsung, Camp Kitty, Decatur, GA
• We moved from one location in New Jersey to a more rural location. The customers from our former area followed us. We used social media and email to let everyone know when we moved, which was in late 2012. — Jacqueline Levy, Cross Keys K9, Williamstown, NJ
• We started telling customers about 30 days prior to the move in July 2018. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but I believe it will pay off. — Janelle Pitula, Wags to Whiskers, Plainfield, IL
• We moved from a poor location — we were a destination location at that time — about seven years into business, to a great location right on the main road through our town, and our business literally doubled over night. We rented a portable sign with the address of our new location that sat at our old business location for two months. Plus, we told customers the entire month previous to the move that we were moving. If you have the opportunity to improve your location, do it! The greater investment (yes, it was scary) was 200 percent worth it. — Michelle Nelson, The Pet Authority, Albert Lea, MN
• We moved from a warehouse to a storefront five years ago. When I realized people were finding us in a warehouse area, I realized if we moved to a storefront business would only go up. Our client base is much larger now. — Debbie Brookham, Furry Friends Inc., Colorado Springs, CO
• We were lucky enough to move into a larger location less than 3 miles away from our first store. We notified our customers in-store, online, via email and through advertising. — Johnna Devereaux, Fetch RI, Richmond, RI
• We moved twice in 10 years, both times to get away from unreasonable landlords . If I had to do it over again, I would buy my property. I just didn’t know how long we would be in business! — Robert “Jungle Bob” Smith, Jungle Bob Enterprises, Centereach, NY
• I’ve moved my stores multiple times in order to gain more square footage. Most customers were thrilled, but some, of course, were unhappy. You can never please everyone, especially the customers who expect you to be in their back yard. We started telling customers way ahead of time, put a huge sign on our door, included in our newsletter, website and shared on all of our social media platforms. — Toni Shelaske, Healthy Pet Products, Pittsburgh, PA
• I moved from a strip mall that I rented space in to a freestanding location that I purchased. The mortgage was one sixth of the cost compared to the rent I was paying for the worst location in the mall. The smartest thing I’ve done in 30 years in business. — Paul Lewis, Birds Unlimited, Webster, NY
• We’ve had three locations since we first opened. With each move, we gave our customers four-plus months of notice, signage around the store, emails, postcards, front-page newspaper ads and radio commercials. And then once we moved we held grand openings, ribbon-cuttings, open houses adoptions, sales and specials for services. It’s never easy. Each move requires lots of renovations and down time of about 30 to 45 days. We kept our customers updated with photos and news of our progress during that time so they could share in our excitement. Now, we are about six months our from our next and final move. We are preparing our team members before we share the news with our customers. We’ve changed our logo, website, updated our name, business cards etc. in preparation for the move. We are also sending out letters to our customers to help generate excitement with a survey of what they would like to see, services and retail wise, and a chance for them to help us raise funds and be a sponsor with lots of perks. — Sherry Shupe, Fur Baby, Milford, DE

No: 63%

• We are moving very soon to a much larger location. We will be launching a campaign across social media and sending out email and texts as soon as we have a move date. We will also be having a big grand opening/shop-warming party and invite rescues and others to partner with us to increase our reach. We are way overdue moving to a bigger space due to the owner’s health and not finding the right spot. — Angela Smutny, Swanky Paws Pet Spa, Lawrenceville, GA
• I love my location and my customers. I have worked hard to build a reputable business and do not have any interest in moving and starting over. — Laura Haupt, Bark & Meow, Tarrytown, NY
• Our location is absolutely stellar for walk-by traffic. The only things that might get me to move are a bigger unit opening in our center, or a place not too far away that would be able to affordably house retail and an indoor dog park. — Shane Somerville, Paddywack, Mill Creek, WA