Equipment

When BJ's Auto Spa co-owner Chris Bjurlin purchased his property in Phoenix in February 1999, he also inherited an auto garage. "Actually, the space was a combination auto garage and gas station with 1,000 square feet devoted to the c-store section," he said. "We left the exterior walls standing, took down a wall, ripped down the tire area and widened the space for the c-store. We also didn't keep any of the in-store equipment."

For owner Charles Reichenau, the biggest headache of his redesign came when he looked across the street every day. Because he was looking at his competition front and center.