Innovation and creativity keep industries alive and evolving business concepts are rife with creative potential. The newer and younger generations love the experience, which is why a lot of retail giants are embracing experiential retail. Unique businesses require unique spaces and these 5 businesses are making waves as real estate gems.

Escape Rooms

This trend isn’t exactly new, but it’s still fresh and exciting. You can find an escape room in any major city in all 50 states and you can even find some in the most unlikely places. Escape rooms are puzzle rooms where participants must work together to interpret clues, solve puzzles and ultimately escape before the time limit runs out. These unique spaces can be quite elaborate and many companies have two or three rooms in one location, each with a different theme. There is no set demographic for this type of entertainment and escape rooms are perfect for anything from a first date to a company team building event. The growth of the industry is stunning. There were only 22 escape rooms in the U.S. in 2014, but in just 4 years that number ballooned to over 2,300 across the country with interest continuing to grow. With that kind of potential, escape rooms are here to stay for a long time to come.

Competitive Axe Throwing

Competitive axe throwing and the sport of axe throwing are relative newcomers that have exploded in popularity. While throwing axes competitively has been practiced for many years, now there is a demand for a venue to meet with friends and throw a few axes to pass the time. The first regulated axe throwing venue, BATL created by Matt Wilson, opened in 2010 in Toronto and now they have locations across Canada and the United States. Other entrepreneurs followed suit and put their own spin on the axe throwing venue, such as Urban Axes, LumberjAxes, Stumpy’s Hatchet House and many other businesses aligned with the National Axe Throwing Federation (NATF) across several continents. As a business space, each venue needs open wall-free space to build throwing lanes and that’s about the biggest requirement. Some businesses are creating a great atmosphere to do more than just throw axes, adding bars, dining and other games. This model turns unique spaces into awesome places to throw sharp stuff at wood.




Crossfit

Crossfit was founded in 2000 by Greg Glassman and Lauren Jenai and it’s a workout regimen that combines high intensity interval training, weightlifting, plyometrics, powerlifting, gymnastics and a range of other exercises. More a lifestyle than just a place to workout, Crossfit gyms are everywhere! There are reportedly more than 13,000 gyms in 120 countries and the sport continues to grow. Crossfit affiliate gyms have also proven to be a sound investment, with a failure rate of just 2%. These unique spaces are often open with minimal remodeling needed to fit all the equipment needed to get a great workout all standing alone. As the number of dedicated Crossfit devotees expands, despite a current user base larger than the population of Los Angeles, demand for access to crossfit gyms is high.

Arcade Bars

Arcades had largely fallen out of public light after the creation and industrialization of the home video game console. However, arcades are making a come back in a new and exciting format. Enter the arcade bar where adults can quench their nostalgic thirst for a time gone by when they spent every saturday at the arcade while they also quench their very real thirst with a beer or a cocktail, combining two things that adults love for proven success. Every major city has at least one “Bar-cade” where people gather to stand around old video game cabinets and button mash. The industry has grown steadily into a billion dollar industry since 2015 and there are over 6,000 designated arcade bars across the U.S. so don’t expect to see these unique spaces shuttering any time soon.

Microbreweries

Craft breweries and microbreweries have been a staple in cities across the U.S. for nearly 20 years and yet the industry continues to grow. Microbreweries have accounted for more than 55 million square feet of leased space in the U.S according to Cushman & Wakefield. This presents a great opportunity for CRE owners to purpose their space for one of the fastest growing and in demand business trends of the last 20 years. One of the most interesting things about the industry is its versatility. While anyone with unoccupied warehouse or retail space can house a new brewery, crafty owners are also setting up shop in unique spaces. The Church Brew Works in Pittsburgh occupies an old catholic church while Jailhouse Brewing Company in Georgia brews its beer in a former jailhouse! That kind of utility and the growth statistics indicate the craft brewing industry is just getting started.

Do you have a unique business venture that needs the perfect space? Are you a commercial real estate owner that wants to attract the best businesses following the newest trends? No matter what you’re looking for, you need a partner like LCI Realty to help you make the most of any deal. Contact LCI Realty today! We can help any business find the perfect location, help owners find and retain quality tenants, and even manage your properties. Call 480-565-8981 today for more information.

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