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26 DAYSPA | JUNE 2014 PROFILE Positive Moves Sixteen years after opening her fi rst location, the owner of So Cal's Spa Gregorie's day spa chain still fi nds new ways to grow. By Linda W. Lewis Times are tough, so why make connecting with clients more diffi cult by changing locations? Sometimes it's just a matter of opportunity calling the shots—at least that was the case for Angela Cortright, founder and owner of Spa Gregorie's, with three Southern California locations. "The lease on our Rancho Santa Margarita location was up for renewal and we were doing our due diligence," she explains. "We had been in the space for seven years but felt we really needed to look at our options." As luck would have it, Cortright found the perfect space—but it was for sale, not for lease. "The timing was just right," says Cortright. "We couldn't believe our good fortune. The seller was motivated and interest rates were low. When we ran the numbers, we realized that we would be paying less by buying the space than by continuing to rent. And our favorite contractor was available to do the build-out!" Buying affordable space may be easy in some cities, but that opportunity is rare in Southern California; Spa Gregorie's' Newport Beach and Del Mar locations are both leased. "We've leased space in Newport Beach since we opened there in 1998," Cortright explains. "Our landlord treats us like a business partner, and we will likely continue leasing there, and in Del Mar as well." Located on the fi rst fl oor of a new three-story profes- sional building, the new Spa Gregorie's Rancho Santa Margarita, which offi cially opened in July 2013, is situated about a mile from the original. Neighbors include a physi- cal therapy center, a fi tness center and medical offi ces. "Owning does have its advantages," Cortright continues. "We built in energy effi ciency from the ground up. Energy is a major expense, so the change helps our bottom line and lets us feel good about being A unique new lounge woos Spa Gregorie's clients. P r o f i l e . i n d d 2 6 Profile.indd 26 5 / 1 / 1 4 3 : 2 6 P M 5/1/14 3:26 PM