In this episode of the Jake and Gino Podcast, we dive deep into the world of retail real estate with Andy Weiner, Founder and President of Rockstep Capital. Andy shares how he transitioned from running a family clothing empire to revitalizing struggling malls in secondary and tertiary markets. Discover how his “Rock Steps” culture drives high performance, why retail isn’t dead, and how positive leverage and local community partnerships are the secret to sustainable success.

You’ll learn:

- Why the future of malls lies in mixed-use redevelopment

- How Andy secures non-recourse community bank loans

- The benefits of buying at a 15-cap and de-malling to an 8-cap

- The biggest mistakes new retail investors make

- The unique power of local investors and positive leverage

Whether you're a seasoned multifamily investor or curious about diversifying into retail, this is a masterclass in spotting hidden value in overlooked markets.

Learn more: https://rockstep.com

Visit Rockstep’s Learning Center: https://rockstep.com/learning-center/

Chapters:

00:00:00 - Introduction  

00:04:08 - Family Business Struggles and Strategic Lesson  

00:06:00 - Leadership at 32: Earning Respect and Setting Vision  

00:07:53 - First Real Estate Deal: Assembling Land for Lowe’s  

00:09:40 - Identifying Opportunity in Retail Real Estate  

00:15:24 - The Vicksburg Model and Rockstep’s Track Record  

00:23:51 - Top Investor Mistakes in Shopping Centers  

00:25:20 - Has E-Commerce Killed Retail?  

00:29:22 - “Rock Steps” Culture and Company-Wide Accountability  

00:34:12 - Brick-and-Mortar + App + Distribution: The Retail Trifecta  

00:46:28 - Tractor Supply Love & Market Size Criteria  

00:48:04 - Gino Wraps it Up

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