Stuf
Preferred Sq. Footage: 2,000-15,000 s.f.
12-Month Anticipated Openings: 65-70
The self-storage brand, which received $1.8M in funding from Wilshire Lane Partners and Harlem Capital, anticipates bullish growth. The chain expects to open new units in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Washington, D.C., and Boston by the end of the year. Stuf aims to revolutionize the self-storage industry by opening units in underutilized spaces, such as basements, garages and vacant storefronts in commercial buildings, including challenged spaces in shopping centers or strip malls. The retail space Stuf seeks does not necessarily need to have tremendous foot traffic, but targeted areas should have a large millennial population.
Choice Market
Preferred Sq. Footage: 3,000-6,000 s.f.
12-Month Anticipated Openings: 10+
The grocery chain believes it has the potential to grow its current four-location portfolio up to 50 stores over the next five years. This growth will be spurred by the use of the latest in mobile check-in and cashier-less checkout technology recently launched at its newest store in Denver. Choice currently has stores in downtown Denver but sees possible growth throughout the western half of the U.S. with eyes on California, Texas and Washington. The chain sells groceries and prepared food and footprints and operations can adapt to the specific locations and communities served. The retailer also recently brought in a new chief brand officer to oversee growth, marketing and visual identity.
Tecovas
Preferred Sq. Footage: 3,000-4,000 s.f.
12-Month Anticipated Openings: 10
The Austin-based western apparel and boot brand seeks sites in the South, Southeast, West and Midwest, with a close eye on Texas, New Mexico, Nevada, Idaho, Tennessee, the Carolinas, Atlanta and St. Louis. Major metros such as Los Angeles, New York and Chicago could also possibly see brick-and-mortar stores because of thriving online sales in those areas. Downtown, street-front, shopping center, lifestyle center and non-traditional sites will be targeted.
Evo
Preferred Sq. Footage: 2,000-12,000 s.f.
12-Month Anticipated Openings: 4
The outdoor retail chain will expand through multiple concepts this year with units planned for Washington, Oregon, Denver and Salt Lake City. The chain also looks for new sites in recreation tourist towns in the Midwest, the South and well-populated coastal cities. Evo works in variety of sites including downtown, street-front, freestanding pad, non-traditional units and refurbished warehouse space. The brand sells ski, snowboard, surf, wakeboard, skateboard and mountain biking equipment.
Backcountry
Preferred Sq. Footage: 1,500-4,500 s.f.
12-Month Anticipated Openings: 3
The Utah-based outdoor gear brand will open its first brick-and-mortar units in Boulder, Colo., and Park City, Utah, by the end of summer with hopes for an additional unit in the Rocky Mountain region before year’s end. Locations could also be in the works for Portland, Ore., Washington, D.C., Charlotte, N.C., and other urban cities. A variety of sites including downtown, streetfront, lifestyle center, outlet center and non-traditional units will be targeted. The chain sells snowboards, mountain bikes, kayaks and related apparel.
Rumble Boxing
Preferred Sq. Footage: 7,000-8,500 s.f.
12-Month Anticipated Openings: 1+
The boxing studio was recently acquired by Xponential Fitness, becoming the company’s ninth fitness brand along with others such as Club Pilates, CycleBar and StretchLab. Rumble, which started in New York City, is poised for rapid expansion with the former president of Club Pilates now overseeing franchised growth. The largest current franchisee plans a new unit in Chicago with the rights to open up to 14 more. Freestanding pad and lifestyle center sites will be targeted. Rumble’s studios offer strength and conditioning workouts crafted around specially designed boxing bags.
