Retail

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The impact of COVID-19 has forced retailers, restaurants and service providers in the Northeast to improve their digital channels and adapt social distancing policies to continue serving customers. With retailers struggling to pay rent, landlords could find mutual benefit in reaching a compromise with existing tenants before temporary closures become permanent. Unfortunately, for many small businesses the virus has activated a Darwinian battle of the fittest among retailers with primarily physical channels. Meanwhile, e-commerce giants like Amazon are thriving in market conditions tailored to their already digital-focused business plans. Grocery stores and pharmacies have also found themselves to be arguably the most essential of services during the outbreak, as many have struggled to keep fresh food, toilet paper and other supplies on their shelves. But even after medical professionals and politicians give the “all clear” to reopen the economy completely, it is still unclear when consumers will feel comfortable returning to their favorite stores and restaurants. Northeast Real Estate Business recently caught up with three real estate professionals to gain their insights into how the virus has impacted their local markets. Below are edited responses from Ronald Dickerman, president and founder of Madison International Realty, which provides equity capital to …

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MINNEAPOLIS — Minnesota-based discount retailer Target has temporarily closed six stores in four states in response to protests that turned violent over the weekend. The looting and destruction of commercial property took place in the days following the death of George Floyd, an unarmed black man who died May 25 following an encounter with Minneapolis police during which an officer kneeled on his neck for several minutes. On Sunday, several other retailers, including CVS, Apple and Walmart also announced temporary closures or adjusted hours in major cities where rioting had taken place. None of these retailers specified which stores would be closed and for how long, only saying that the measures had been taken to protect customers and employees. Other cities imposed weekend curfews, and the City of Philadelphia ordered all retailers to close entirely on Sunday. The National Retail Federation (NRF), a trade association representing the industry, issued a statement on Monday imploring Americans to cease defacing and plundering retail properties in the name of general welfare. “Of primary concern to our retailers is the safety of their teams, the communities they serve and the emotional and physical well-being of their African American colleagues and customers,” said Matthew Shay, …

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CHICAGO — Boutique fitness concept Studio Three has signed a 10,000-square-foot lease at 333 N. Green, a new office building in Chicago’s Fulton Market. Studio Three, which offers cycling, yoga and interval classes, is slated to open in the first quarter of 2021. The Chicago-based business currently operates two studios in Lincoln Park and River North. Sterling Bay owns the 555,000-square-foot 333 N. Green, which opened in December and is now 87 percent leased. Sterling Bay plans to move its corporate headquarters to the 19-story building this summer.

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MIAMI GARDENS, FLA. — With sports absent from Americans’ daily lives due to the COVID-19 outbreak, Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens has pivoted to offer a drive-in movie theater. The 65,000-seat stadium is home to the NFL’s Miami Dolphins and college football’s University of Miami Hurricanes. The field will be able to hold up to 230 cars and the open-air theater will host small groups. Events throughout Dolphins’ team history, family-friendly movies and even commencement ceremonies will be shown. Food and beverages can be purchased through an online system and delivered to cars. Those wanting to participate can click here to put their names on an email list for when tickets become available.

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DAVISON, MICH. — Domino’s Pizza has leased 3,000 square feet at Davison Village Shopping Center in Davison, about 10 miles east of Flint. Domino’s will occupy space that was formerly home to YaYa’s Chicken. The property, which is anchored by The Salvation Army, is located on State Road. Michael Murphy and Tjader Gerdom of Gerdom Realty & Investment represented Domino’s in the lease transaction.

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ORLANDO, FLA. — Walt Disney World Resorts has submitted a proposal to the Orange County Economic Recovery Task Force to begin reopening the Orlando parks July 11. Pending approval, Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom will open July 11 and Hollywood Studios and Epcot will reopen July 15. In an effort to limit large gatherings, parades and nighttime fireworks shows will still be indefinitely unavailable. Additionally, “high-touch” experiences, such as makeovers, playgrounds and character meet-and-greets, will also be temporarily unavailable, though characters will still be in the parks. To limit capacity, Disney will pause new ticket sales so it can focus on guests with existing tickets and reservations. Each guest must register in advance for park entry. A timeline for a vote from Orange County was not disclosed. Furthermore, Walt Disney CEO Bob Chapek said in an interview with ABC News that the company is in daily talks with the NBA to try to get the sports league to finish out its season at the Orlando sports park.

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MILFORD, CONN. — Press | Cuozzo Commercial Services has brokered the sale of a retail building in Milford, a western suburb of New Haven. Located at 135 Cherry St., the property is part of Milford Plaza, a 182,000-square-foot shopping center. Amity Physical Therapy will lease the building for its fourth store. Stephen Press of Press | Cuozzo represented the seller, Hale Properties LLC, in the transaction. Press also procured the buyer, Dow Enterprises LLC. The sales price was undisclosed.

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HOUSTON — Locally based firm NewQuest Properties has brokered the sale of Inwood Forest Shopping Center, an 89,213-square-foot retail center located at 5700-46 W. Little York Road in Houston. About 75 percent of the six-acre property’s tenant roster consists of businesses that have been deemed essential. Grocer La Michoacana anchors the center. David Luther, Bob Conwell and Josh Friedlander of NewQuest represented the seller, RPI Interests I Ltd., and procured the buyer, Fahra International Inc.

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DETROIT — Bedrock, the real estate development company created by Quicken Loans Founder Dan Gilbert, has implemented a program called Bedrock Relaunch, which will build off its rent relief program that began in March with three months of rent abatement. Through Bedrock Relaunch, the landlord will provide all eligible, operating restaurant and retail tenants with the option to waive all rent and fees for the month of June; waive base rent in favor of paying 7 percent of gross sales starting in July; and apply the security deposit toward reopening costs. The temporary lease amendments will span the remainder of 2020. “It is becoming clear that even when all businesses are able to reopen, it’s unlikely their sales volume will immediately return to pre-pandemic levels, and we want to make sure that rent payments aren’t a barrier to success,” says Matt Cullen, Bedrock CEO. “Dan Gilbert founded Bedrock 10 years ago on the principle that a landlord should be an invested partner with each tenant as well as a responsible corporate citizen. We are committed to doing everything we can to make sure we all come out of this together, including looking into experiential initiatives that will help drive traffic …

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IOWA — Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds has signed a new proclamation permitting the reopening of outdoor performance venues, casinos, bowling alleys, amusement parks, skating rinks, skate parks and outdoor playgrounds starting June 1. The proclamation enables bars, wineries, breweries, distilleries and social and fraternal clubs to reopen starting May 28 with the same public health measures that restaurants have put in place. Under the order, social or sports gatherings of more than 10 people are permitted if public health measures are implemented, including limiting attendance to 50 percent of capacity and maintaining six feet of distance between participants. The state has also extended the public health disaster emergency until June 25, extending regulatory relief to those affected by the pandemic.

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