With many retail chain stores cutting back on locations or closing altogether, mall owners are eagerly courting mom and pop stores to fill those spaces.

If you’ve longed to move your gift basket business from home to a retail location, now is an ideal time. Not only are mall owners more flexible with fees, but are offering short-term leases according to an article in the Patriot Ledger.

Being able to operate your business in a mall setting will give you a chance to decide if this is the best venue for your business. Also, by getting acquainted with the other store owners in the mall, you can learn more about the retail industry than you could from home.

You shouldn’t get too comfortable in your retail location, however, since the mall owners are biding their time until the economy turns and they are able to lure back big stores willing to enter into long-term leases.  In the meantime, consider this a time to test the waters.

Check out the malls in your area and talk to the management.