Dental practices and healthcare clinics are setting up shop in former stores in a trend known as "medtail," according to a Feb. 22 New York Times article.
The trend gained traction because of decreased rent caused by the pandemic. Getting your teeth cleaned 500 feet away from where you buy your suits may sound odd, but practices are ready to adapt. Some practices are even adopting a more retail-friendly look to blend in with their surroundings.
New York City-based dental chain Tend spends between $1.1 million and $1.6 million on every office, Andy Grover, Tend co-founder and the chief development officer, told the New York Times. The company prioritizes constructing a calm, modern and inviting environment complete with aromatherapy and Netflix.
What's got landlords on board?
"As the landlord thinks about what will happen if we ever go through a crisis again, they want things that won't close — grocery stores, pharmacies and medical facilities," Barrie Scardina, a retail expert for real estate services firm Cushman & Wakefield, told the New York Times.