📗 Volume 3 · The Space
Where you put the shop is the single biggest driver of success and the largest ongoing cost. This volume is commercial-real-estate, explained for a beginner.
What this volume covers
Retail rent works differently from renting an apartment. Terms like "NNN" and "percentage rent" confuse people who've never seen a commercial lease. This volume demystifies the whole process — how leases work, where to find spaces, what size you need, and how to negotiate without overpaying.
Chapters
Chapter 1 · Commercial Leases 101
NNN, gross, percentage rent, base rent + CAM — the language of retail leases in plain English.
The vocabularyChapter 2 · Finding the Right Space
LoopNet, Crexi, brokers, strip malls vs storefronts — and the foot-traffic questions to ask.
Where to lookChapter 3 · Size & Layout
How much square footage you need, and how to lay out machines for flow and safety.
The footprintChapter 4 · Negotiating the Lease
LOI, security deposit, term length, free rent — how to negotiate and not overpay.
Lock in a fair dealFor a claw machine shop, foot traffic beats rent price almost every time. A slightly pricier space on a busy street can earn far more than a cheap dead-end spot. In Volume 5 you'll learn how to measure and monetize that traffic.