San Antonio Express News: Retailers rush to fill empty Blockbusters

By Neal Morton

January 17, 2014

SAN ANTONIO — Less than a week after Blockbuster closed its remaining stores, businesses hoping to make their debut or expand their footprint in San Antonio have targeted the newly vacant — and apparently prime — commercial real estate space.

Blockbuster officially closed its last 10 locations here Sunday, just two months after the embattled video-rental company announced it would walk away from the few hundred remaining stores it operated across the country.

During the holidays, bargain hunters scoured the bins and shelves at area Blockbusters, hoping to score a cheap movie from the latest victim of online competition.

Already, a First Choice Emergency Care clinic has started moving into one of the now-empty stores, at 13434 Nacogdoches Road.

Other Blockbuster locations across the city have appeared on the radar of fast-growing franchise chains, including Frisco-based Mooyah, a fast-casual burger and shake chain that opened its first restaurant here two years ago.

Similarly, spa company Hand & Stone and 24-hour gym operator Workout Anytime might consider some of Blockbuster's old digs to establish an initial presence in San Antonio.

“It's kind of an irony or, I guess, just an evolution of business that Blockbuster disrupted the video industry by changing the way people watch movies,” said Todd Leff, president of Hand & Stone. “And then business evolved again: Blockbuster's out, and now we're coming to change the way massages and facials are delivered.”

Since 2012, the New Jersey-based franchiser has opened 14 spas in Austin, the Dallas-Fort Worth area and Houston, with six more locations in the works.

Leff wants to open at least three spas in San Antonio and has paid attention to Blockbuster locations in the city.

Blockbuster officially closed its remaining 10 locations in San Antonio, opening real estate space for other retailers. This location is 2951 Thousand Oaks Drive.

“We've done some investigation into the real estate there, and things like Blockbuster are a key component for us to be able to get into big-box anchored shopping centers at a reasonable rate,” he said. “We've identified some key locations, but it's all about finding the right developer at this point.”

Businesses like Leff's have waited months for Blockbuster to vacate its space.

The company operated more than 9,000 retail locations less than a decade ago. But crippling pressure from online streaming services and video rental kiosks pushed Blockbuster's owner, Dish Network Corp., to announce in November that it would close its remaining stores.

The official closure last weekend cleared the way for opportunistic retailers looking to find a home here.

“With the real estate climate being what it's been the last few years, we haven't seen much” new construction, said Alan Hixon, vice president of development for Mooyah. “Availability is what really drives your real estate.

“So without a lot of projects coming out of the ground, you're going to need second-generation space,” he added.

Mooyah franchised its first location here at 22502 U.S. 281 near Stone Oak, but the owners hope to debut as many as 20 more restaurants in the city.

Like Hixon, Randy Trotter, vice president of development for Georgia-based Workout Anytime, described the newly vacant Blockbusters as attractive places to open the company's first San Antonio gyms.

“They are normally in grocery-anchored shopping centers, with great visibility, access and parking,” Trotter said. “A large company like (Blockbuster) did their homework back in the day and really picked quality real estate.”

http://www.expressnews.com/business/local/article/Retailers-rush-to-fill-empty-Blockbusters-5150380.php

Hand & Stone featured in Woodlands Online

Recently, Hand & Stone was featured in Woodlands Online in an article titled, "Hand & Stone massage headed to The Woodlands."  The article focuses on Tony and Brittany Rodgers opening Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa in The Woodlands, Texas.  It then goes on to highlight the Rodgers’ journey to becoming a part of Hand & Stone and The Woodlands community.  Click here to read the whole article.

Hand & Stone massage headed to The Woodlands
By: Brian Shettig

THE WOODLANDS, Texas--Research Forest is getting...hot stones?

That's right.  When Hand & Stone massage and facial spa opens April 15, the salon will focus on the spa side of things, including massages with hot stones incorporated into the massaging itself.

"We want to be able to offer the highest quality massage at an affordable price, especially for those who have never had a massage before," said Brittany Rodgers, owber of the location off Research Forest near Diva Boutique and Hubbell and Hudson Kitchen.  This is the first Hand & Stone in Texas and possibly the first of five in the north Houston area, Rodgers said. 

Rodgers, who owns the spa along with her husband Tony, moved to The Woodlands from Florida after trying to find a business they could both be passionate about, she said.  They decided, after some research, to combine their interests in fitness and health into massage and after walking in a Hand & Stone in Orlando, Fla., Rodgers said she knew "right away this was the place."

(Read More)

Franchisee Profile: Tony & Brittany Rodgers of Houston, TX

Name:  Tony & Brittany Rodgers

Opening Date: April 2012

Brand:   Hand & Stone

Location: Houston, TX

 Both having similar backgrounds and goals for success, Tony and Brittany seek to open five Hand & Stone locations throughout Houston. With a strong passion for the health and wellness industry, the couple brings devotion, motivation and faith to the Hand & Stone brand.

Q: Where are you from?

A: Tony grew up in South Bend, Ind., where he graduated from a five year apprenticeship program with his associates degree in applied science. Brittany grew up in Orlando, Fla., but moved to South Bend, to go to school, where she met Tony. She attended Indiana University and graduated with degrees in psychology, social and behavioral science and radiology science.

Q: What was your career before franchising?

A: Before franchising, Tony spent 10 years in the construction industry, running large commercial accounts. Later, Tony became operations manager for a large manufacturing/recycling  facility located in Northern Indiana. Brittany worked in the medical field of Radiology where she enjoyed helping and caring for patients. She worked mostly in large out-patient centers, including one of the largest orthopedic clinics in all of central Florida. Additionally, Tony dabbled with his Realtor’s license, partnering up with a company to buy, remodel and sell prime real estate for opportunities to further his success. The couple spent two years purchasing and renovating vintage riverside homes in the Notre Dame/ St. Mary area of Northern Indiana.

Q: How did you learn about the brand?

A: Tony and Brittany learned about the Hand & Stone brand from Frannet, a leading company in expert franchise consulting.  Once Tony and Brittany  realized their strong desire for independence and accomplishment,  the couple began searching  for the next step towards success. With much research, and the assistance from Frannet, Tony and Brittany were introduced to Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa.

Q: Why did you decide to open your own business?

 A: Tony and Brittany chose to open their own business to gain personal  freedom,  stability and the chance to one day give back. They wanted the opportunity to finally reap the benefits from their devoted strength. By opening their own business, Tony and Brittany have the ability to watch their hard work pay off for future generations to come.

Q: When choosing a franchise, what were the criteria you used to make your decision?

A: When choosing a franchise, Tony and Brittany had specific criteria they were in search of. They knew they wanted to stay in the health and wellness industry due to their passionate histories for both health and wellness. They wanted a company they could stand behind, a company they felt passionate about, a company that could meet their financial goals for personal success and a company that connected with the community.

Q: What was appealing to you about joining a franchise system?

A: For Tony and Brittany, the most appealing aspect about joining a franchise system was the proven track record for success. They felt strongly about the worth of a well-established business model and felt it was a great way to get started in the entrepreneurial world of business.

Q: What are some of your achievements (professionally or personally) that you think will help you along the way in your business?

A: Tony and Brittany were once told the keys to success are devotion, motivation and faith —three things neither of them lack. Starting their entrepreneurial business journeys at a young age, the couple’s education and work experience have been their biggest achievements thus far. Priceless assets they share that will drive their success in the franchise world include dedication for hard work, a passion for continuously giving back to others and an extensive background in many aspects of the business world.

ABOUT HAND & STONE

Hand & Stone is a 50-plus unit massage and facial spa with a mission to bring massage and facial services to the masses, tapping into the day-cation market segment.  Launched in 2005 by a passionate physical therapist, John Marco, and now led by franchise veteran Todd Leff, Hand & Stone now has locations in 12 states and Canada with plans to open an additional 20 locations by the end of 2011.  For more information on Hand & Stone, visit www.handandstone.com.