Bucky Mabe, CEO of FACE Amusement Group talks about his family's history in the amusement business, the importance of innovative branding, and strategic planning. He delves into FACE's recent acquisition and redevelopment of Myrtle Beach Mall, blending unique entertainment experiences with traditional retail. The episode covers challenges and successes in the amusement industry, touching on market selection and technological advancements, with insights into the future of retail entertainment.

This interview was recorded at Entertainment Experience Evolution 2025, a conference by InterFace Conference Group, which is a division of France Media Inc.

James Cook is the Director of Retail Research in the Americas for JLL. 

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Lauren Ball, COO of Westwood Financial, talks about the company's $1.6 billion retail real estate portfolio, which includes about 125 centers, primarily in the Sunbelt states. Lauren highlights some standout properties, like Glenwood Park in Atlanta and Paradise Valley Shopping Center in Phoenix, explaining their unique attributes and tenant mixes. She also delves into the strategic growth decisions in markets like Austin, Texas, and the value-centric approach of Westwood Financial. Lauren shares her career journey from making cold calls at 16 to her current expansive role overseeing multiple teams at Westwood. 

James Cook is the Director of Retail Research in the Americas for JLL. 

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify  Listen: WhereWeBuy.show 

Email: [email protected] 

YouTube: http://everythingweknow.show/

Read more retail research here:  http://www.us.jll.com/retail

Theme music is Run in the Night by The Good Lawdz, under Creative Commons license.

Nate Minnis is the Head of Real Estate for Smalls Sliders. Nate shares his journey from working at Subway to leading real estate strategies for multiple franchise brands, including Smalls Sliders. He discusses the unique aspects of the Smalls Sliders concept, its growth driven by simplicity and modular design, and the key factors for choosing optimal locations. He also touches upon challenges he faces, including educating city officials on modular construction and finding suitable real estate, and the company's plans for expansion across the U.S. and globally.

James Cook is the Director of Retail research in the Americas for JLL. 

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify  Listen: WhereWeBuy.show 

Email: [email protected] 

YouTube: http://everythingweknow.show/

Read more retail research here:  http://www.us.jll.com/retail

Theme music is Run in the Night by The Good Lawdz, under Creative Commons license.

Joe Kunigonis, CEO of Smartify Media talks about the ways that commercial property owners can monetize digital screens. He delves into the programmatic and targeted advertising capabilities of this medium, explaining the infrastructure and advantages of digital signage. He also covers the challenges and opportunities in both indoor and outdoor retail spaces, and the future implications of this technology.

Jesse Michael is Senior Vice President, Digital Solutions for JLL. James Cook is the Director of Retail Research in the Americas for JLL. 

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify  Listen: WhereWeBuy.show 

Email: [email protected] 

YouTube: http://everythingweknow.show/

Read more retail research here:  http://www.us.jll.com/retail

Theme music is Run in the Night by The Good Lawdz, under Creative Commons license.

Nick Hodge is CEO of Essential Growth Properties. Nick shares insights from his extensive background in the supermarket industry and details Essential Growth's focus on acquiring, building, and operating grocery-anchored shopping centers nationwide. The discussion explores current investment opportunities in secondary and tertiary markets, the operational goals for Essential Growth, and the value of grocery-anchored centers in today's market. The conversation also touches on Nick's family history with Kroger, changes in the real estate industry over the past 15 years, and strategies for dealing with natural disasters.

Naveen Jaggi is President of Retail Advisory Services at JLL.

James Cook is the Director of Retail Research in the Americas for JLL. 

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify  Listen: WhereWeBuy.show 

Email: [email protected] 

YouTube: http://everythingweknow.show/

Read more retail research here:  http://www.us.jll.com/retail

Theme music is Run in the Night by The Good Lawdz, under Creative Commons license.

Zach Gelfand is Head of Property for Funlab, an Australia-based entertainment company. He talks about the company's unique entertainment concepts, including Holy Moley and Hijinx Hotel, and the company's expansion from Australia to the United States. Zach discusses Funlab's distinct blend of bar, restaurant, and entertainment elements, their innovative employee culture, and the differences in real estate negotiations between the U.S. and Australia. The conversation highlights FunLab's emphasis on creating immersive experiences and tailoring venues to local demographics while navigating the challenges of capital investment and growth in new markets.

Rebecca Norton is Executive Director, Retail Property & Asset Management for JLL

James Cook is Director of Retail Research in the Americas for JLL. 

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify  Listen: WhereWeBuy.show 

Email: [email protected] 

YouTube: http://everythingweknow.show/

Read more retail research here:  http://www.us.jll.com/retail

Theme music is Run in the Night by The Good Lawdz, under Creative Commons license.

Lane Chaplin talks about Hyperfuel's unique approach to electric vehicle charging stations. Hyperfuel is building a network of fast-charging stations in the U.S., with a focus on locations near retail and dining establishments to incentivize shopping and dining while charging. He discusses the company's use of personalized incentives through their Hyperfuel app and the benefits of high-speed Level 4 charging. Chaplin also shares insights from his background in retail real estate and his previous experience at Tesla, elaborating on how Hyperfuel partners with landlords and plans for significant expansion. 

James Cook is the Director of Retail Research in the Americas for JLL. 

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify  Listen: WhereWeBuy.show 

Email: [email protected] 

YouTube: http://everythingweknow.show/

Read more retail research here:  http://www.us.jll.com/retail

Theme music is Run in the Night by The Good Lawdz, under Creative Commons license.

David McGlinchey is Chief Strategy Officer at Sprouts Farmers Market. He discusses Sprouts’ unique positioning as a specialty market focusing on organic, vegan, and gluten-free products. He explains Sprouts' growth strategy, customer demographics, and how the company plans to expand into new territories. He also highlights how Sprouts differentiates itself from competitors. Additionally, he touches on the impact of online shopping on Sprouts and innovative store features, such as the bulk foods section and in-store partnerships with coffee brands.

Geno Coradini is Managing Director for JLL Americas Retail.

James Cook is the Director of Retail Research in the Americas for JLL. 

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify  Listen: WhereWeBuy.show 

Email: [email protected] 

YouTube: http://everythingweknow.show/

Read more retail research here:  http://www.us.jll.com/retail

Theme music is Run in the Night by The Good Lawdz, under Creative Commons license.

Christine Mastandrea is COO of Whitestone REIT, which owns 55 shopping centers in Texas and Arizona. She discusses her unique philosophy about retail real estate;  Whitestone's strategy of acquiring smaller, community-centric properties in high-growth markets; and how understanding neighborhoods through data analytics and psychographics drives their decisions. The conversation covers the increasing importance of health, wellness, and fitness centers as traffic drivers.  Additionally, Christine shares her thoughts on teaching commercial real estate disruption at Rice University and the evolving retail landscape driven by Millennials and Gen Z.

James Cook is the Director of Retail Research in the Americas for JLL. 

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify  Listen: WhereWeBuy.show 

Email: [email protected] 

Watch our video show, Everything We Know About Retail: http://everythingweknow.show/

Leave a message on the Where We Buy hotline. We may use it on an upcoming show. Call (602) 633-4061 

Read more retail research here:  http://www.us.jll.com/retail

Theme music is Run in the Night by The Good Lawdz, under Creative Commons license.

Daniel Russo leads Building Engines, a property management software platform owned by JLL. He explains how the software connects tenants and property teams, facilitates maintenance, tracks utility usage, and manages vendor interactions. He also elaborates on adapting the software for retail properties, the differences between managing retail and office spaces, and integration of AI tools to enhance operational efficiency. 

Daniel Russo is President and Chief Executive Officer, Property Management Technologies at JLL Technologies. 

James Cook is the Director of Retail Research in the Americas for JLL. 

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify  Listen: WhereWeBuy.show 

Email: [email protected] 

Watch our video show, Everything We Know About Retail: http://everythingweknow.show/

Leave a message on the Where We Buy hotline. We may use it on an upcoming show. Call (602) 633-4061 

Read more retail research here:  http://www.us.jll.com/retail

Theme music is Run in the Night by The Good Lawdz, under Creative Commons license.