Retail Redeveloped

Amelie’s French Bakery recently announced they would be closing their Uptown store for good. This closing is a brutal hit for Center City and has taken an individualized/local retailer out of Uptown. How can Uptown Charlotte recover from the closings we’ve seen this year and will continue to see into 2021? Enjoy this episode of 5Q Showdown as Jason Thomas and Adam Williams discuss the pros and cons to Amelie’s, and others, leaving the Center City tenant mix. 

What impact will the Coronavirus pandemic have on retail and office real estate markets moving forward?  Today we're joined Darryl Dewberry, Chairman & CEO of The Spectrum Companies. The Spectrum Companies is a fully integrated real estate conglomerate developing, owning, and leasing office, retail, mixed-use, and multifamily projects in the Southeast.  Listen along as we take a deep-dive into what's next for office leasing and companies across the country as offices begin to reopen, why Vantage South End in Charlotte is the only office project Invesco has kicked off this year, and what markets will be a net winner after the pandemic. 

In recent years we have seen an overwhelming buzz of activity on the Eastern side of Charlotte. Several corridors down Highway 74 have been elevated from their lackluster reputations to bursting with new development seemingly overnight. What is it that is pushing local retail into East Charlotte? Today we're joined by a surprise guest host and Associate Broker, Kate Yates! Kate is joined by three business owners who have recently moved their companies into the East side of town - Jessica Law, owner of The Dog Salon; Sherman Walters, owner of the historic Dairy Queen that sat in the hart of Plaza Midwood; and Curtis Stone, Co-Owner of Swirl Bakery and Celestial Cakery.  Listen along as we discuss the why behind these businesses moving east, why a shared vision with your Landlord opens further collaboration among Tenants, and how Eastway Crossing and other East Charlotte shopping centers are taking off with a lineup of new, local Tenants. 

In July, 2020 the city of Charlotte teamed up with "Charlotte is Creative" to fund a massive Black Live's Matter mural in the heart of Uptown. 17 local artists were chosen to participate in the project, which shut down a portion of Tryon Street over the past several months in celebration. In November, Charlotte City Council voted to reopen Tryon Street to roadway traffic. 

Should the City have kept that portion of Tryon Street closed? Is it possible to permanently make Tryon Street, in Uptown, a complete pedestrian thoroughfare? Listen along to the latest episode of 5Q Showdown as our hosts, Adam Williams and Jason Thomas, discuss the ins and outs of completely closing down a city street and what reopening Tryon St means for the future of the mural?

Why is it that during the Coronavirus pandemic, retailers have had the best opportunity to reach potential customers they've never had access to before? Today we're joined by Ron Thurston, Vice President of Stores at INTERMIX and author of Retail Pride: The Guide to Celebrating your Accidental Career. INTERMIX, now under the Gap Inc. brand, is a collection of specialty boutiques known for curating the most sought-after styles from a compelling and edited mix of both established and emerging designers.  Listen along as we take a deep dive into the long term implications on luxury retail because of Covid-19, why the human touch is at the center of customer service excellence, and how Ron curated his career in retail and positioned himself as a best selling author. 

What could be better then two retail nerds sitting down and debating real estate as it relates to the retail and restaurant sector in Charlotte? Today we're debuting a new series where Adam Williams, Commercial Real Estate Broker, and Jason Thomas, Charlotte Development Expert, sit down and deliberate all things retail. This week we’ll answer the question: are more restaurants opening than closing, so far, during covid? Listen along as we take a deep dive into the concepts that have opened their doors over the last 8 months, which retailers have shuttered citing COVID-19 as the cause, and what it says about Charlotte as a whole to have so many restaurants opening in the worst time, economically, since the Great Depression.  

How can brick-and-mortar retailers take in-store enjoyment and transform that into a successful sales opportunity?  Today we're joined by Paul Brenner, Chief Strategy Officer for Vibenomics. Vibenomics was created with a simple focus – to help location-based businesses and connected cities create and control a vibe that will drive their business economics. As the nation’s premier Audio Experience Solution provider, they help businesses enhance sales and enrich the customer experience through licensed background music playlists and professional voice announcements. Listen along as we take a deep dive into how in store audio affects a retailers bottom line and helps elevate sales, the mechanics behind reaching the hundreds of in-store customers a retailer sees daily, and how the next generation of in-store advertising works. 

How can developers take a former factory, rich in history, and transform it into a successful retail powerhouse?  Today we're joined by Damon Hemmerdinger, Co-President at ATCO and Camp North End's Placemaker-in-Chief. Once used to produce Model Ts and Army missiles, this 76-acre historic industrial site now serves as a hub for creativity and innovation, as Charlotte's largest adaptive reuse project, in the heart of the North End Smart District.  Listen along as we take a deep dive into ATCO's plans for the project, discuss how public art and repurposing buildings became crucial to the redevelopment efforts, and why short-term leases are beneficial to both landlords and a sites trendy and "fresh" atmosphere.  

The Coronavirus pandemic has brought forth many changes in the way consumers experience retail. In recent years, retailers have already begun pushing towards a customer centric model. Successful retailers, who are 'winning' as stores reopen, all have one thing in common, they are taking consumer health & safety measures seriously.  Today we're joined by Shohini Banerjee,  Senior Vice President - US Channel Performance, at IPSOS. IPSOS is a sophisticated data company and is the third largest research firm in the world. The conduct consumer research in 19+ countries and have recently released their Consumer Health & Safety Index. 

Listen along as we take a deep dive into the latest consumer health & safety measures that are important during the Coronavirus pandemic, which attributes are driving consumers to return to in person shopping, and how retailers are shifting to shrinking storefronts and increasing their online eCommerce. 

With thousands of retailers shuttering across America, malls are left with an increasing number of vacant store fronts. Landlords have become creative with how they fill these empty spaces. Some have added upscale food halls, full service restaurants, and entertainment options while others are turning to industrial tenants to fill their empty spaces. 

Demand for e-commerce services has skyrocketed during the Coronavirus pandemic and the demand for warehouse space has risen along with it. To remain relevant, fulfillment centers could be the answer for filling large, vacant department store fronts across the US. 

Listen along as we take a deep dive into the why behind industrial tenants and discuss case studies for why landlords should rethink the need to add these logistical tenants to their mall landscapes.