If it's happening in CRE in Ohio, Tori Nook is all over it. But her journey to starting her brokerage, Anchor Retail, was definitely unexpected.

In this episode of Retail Retold, Chris Ressa and Tori talk about the current state of the retail landscape and the unique characteristics of the Ohio market, where DLC now has four open-air shopping centers. She highlights the challenges and opportunities in retail real estate, including the impact of construction delays and the emergence of new retail concepts. Tori also shares insights on her recent work with Academy Sports and the evolving dynamics of tenant representation.

Takeaways

• Tori Nook has been in the retail real estate business since 1999.
• Anchor Retail specializes in retail brokerage and property management.
• The journey to starting Anchor Retail was unexpected and driven by circumstances.
• Tori emphasizes the importance of having a good team to manage operations.
• The retail landscape has changed significantly since 2021, with fewer new constructions.
• Ohio is a strong market for retail due to its spending power and demographics.
• Retailers often enter Ohio through the three C's: Cleveland, Columbus, and Cincinnati.
• Academy Sports is a significant new tenant in Ohio, marking a fresh entry since 2012.
• The deal-making process has become longer and more complex due to various factors.
• AI may play a role in streamlining the waiver process in real estate.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Tori Nook and Anchor Retail

02:00 The Journey of Starting Anchor Retail

06:40 Balancing Business Management and Deal-Making

08:54 Current Trends in Retail Real Estate

11:52 Ohio as a Retail Market

17:11 Exciting New Retail Developments in Ohio