Licensed spas stay open for 5 years or more. Unlicensed ones don't last as long. I think there are still two west end spas from the 1970s. It seems that the first few months are the hardest. Since 1999, probably 400 have opened and half are still running.
During 1999, I went to USA to work. When I got back, I starting compiling my address and phone number database. That is when I discovered that a "friend" of mine was forwarding my number to her MP on Bayview and had an ad in Now!!! This lady is still active but I'm not giving her my keys again.