Moving my business

[boneal]

Oklahoma

We own a franchise in a strip mall. The business next door has asked the landlord to approach us about acquiring our space for their expansion. There is one other vacancy in the mall which would be perfect for us. The business and the landlord are willing to pay for our new buildout and all expenses. We have been open since July 1999. In January 2000, the franchise went to a new concept design (new colors and fixtures). The furniture and fixtures would cost approximately $50,000, this does not include moving our satellite, phone lines, trash receptacle, signage, blueprints, etc. They want our space, would it be feasible to request the new concept design?

 

[LL]

In a negotiation, it is feasable to request anything, so long as you don't turn off your negotiating partner as being too greedy.

This is clearly a testr of your personal relationships and your ability to do the real work of being a business person.

Are you negotiating directly with the people who want your space, or through the management of the strip mall? I would go directly to the business next store. Presumeable, because they are next door, you know them and are friendly with them. You should be better able to work together, than through the middleman who may have hisown interests at heart.