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Running a business often starts at home—on your kitchen table, in your garage, or behind a laptop in your favourite café. But there comes a point where your ambition, your customer base, and your operations simply outgrow your current setup. That’s when the question arises:
Is it time to lease a commercial space?
The answer isn’t always black and white, but there are clear signs that the timing might be right. And if you're wondering whether now is the moment to take that next step, you're not alone. Many Calgary businessowners have been exactly where you are—and made bold moves that paid off.
Here’s how to recognize the signs, supported by real-life examples from right here in the city.
One of the clearest signs you’ve outgrown your current setup? Demand is surpassing supply—and you're missing opportunities.
Case in point: Sidewalk Citizen Bakery.
What began as a small bread delivery business run out of a home kitchen has grown into a local institution with multiple retail locations. Their flagship bakery in the Simmons Building gave them the space they needed to increase production and serve customers directly—unlocking a whole new level of brand experience.
Ask yourself: Are you capping your income because your space (or lack thereof) is limiting how much you can offer?
If you're consistently maxed out, it's time to expand your capacity.
Working from home or in a co-working space might be ideal for the early days—but if it’s cramping your professionalism, focus, or customer experience, it could be costing you more than it’s saving.
Take Modern Civic, a Calgary-based design studio that shifted from working remotely to leasing a collaborative downtown studio. The new space didn’t just support their growth—it elevated their brand presence and created room for client meetings, team brainstorming, and creative expression.
Ask yourself: Is your current environment aligned with how you want your business to be perceived?
When your space doesn’t reflect your ambition, it’s time to move.
Having a physical space can do wonders for your brand awareness and visibility—especially if your business is rooted in product, experience, or community.
Case in point: The Livery Shop in East Village.
This curated retail space gave multiple Calgary makers a unified, brick-and-mortar presence. It became a destination—not just a store. Their physical location created foot traffic, media coverage, and the kind of in-person customer connection that builds long-term loyalty.
Ask yourself: Would a storefront or studio help bring your brand to life in a new way?
Physical presence = deeper connection and stronger brand story.
When your business starts scaling, your solo operation can quickly turn into a small team. But without the right environment, collaboration and culture can suffer.
Goodlawyer, a Calgary-based legal tech startup, reached a tipping point where their growing team needed dedicated office space. The shift gave them structure, cohesion, and a central hub for brainstorming and building momentum.
Ask yourself: Are you outgrowing your team setup? Do you need a home base?
If you’re hiring—or want to—space planning becomes mission-critical.
Sometimes it’s not about hitting a wall—it’s about spotting an opportunity.
Rosso Coffee Roasters expanded strategically with new café locations that reflected evolving customer habits and neighbourhood vibes. Each space was a launchpad for a new product mix, design language, and customer experience.
Ask yourself: Could a dedicated space allow you to pilot something new?
Sometimes leasing is the next chapter—not the end of the book.
No surprise here—leasing a space is a financial commitment. But it’s also an investment in your future. If your cash flow is stable, your projections are strong, and you have a clear plan, leasing can be the move that unlocks scale.
Example: Local Laundry grew their operations gradually and smartly, including office and warehouse space to streamline inventory and fulfillment.
Their calculated risk allowed them to handle larger orders, collaborate with other brands, and grow revenue without compromising quality.
Ask yourself: Are you reinvesting in growth, or just coasting?
If you’re ready to scale, space can be your most powerful asset.
Not every commercial lease is created equal. As you begin exploring options, consider:
This is where working with a commercial real estate partner makes a real difference. At NuSpruce, we specialize in helping small business owners find spaces that work with them, not against them.
Leasing a commercial space is a big step—but it’s often the step that takes a business from side hustle to serious contender.
If you’re seeing these signs, trust yourself. You’ve built something worth expanding. And with the right support, the transition can be smoother, more strategic, and more exciting than you might expect.
Looking for a space that can grow with you?
Let’s connect. We’re here to help you move forward—with clarity, confidence, and community.
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