An emerging dilemma cities are being faced with is the challenge of big box vacancies. “Big box” can be defined as a single-use store, typically 20,000 square feet or larger, such as a large bookstore, office-supply store, pet store, etc.

As an ongoing feature in CommunityMatters, we would like to hear from cities as to what you are doing to fill, retrofit or demolish vacant big box buildings. With retailers such as Linens N Things and Mervyns going out of business, cities will be faced with these types of problems, if they have not already encountered something of this nature.

Buxton will be printing a series of case studies dealing with this matter and we’d like to include real world examples. If you have strategies or examples, email us at Buxton@buxtonco.com and we’ll use your applications as part of our case study series.

There are a number of advantages to working with developers including:

• A developer might have a successful relationship with a retailer that is on your retail match list. Network through those developers as a way to reach out to retailers.
• A number of developers attend ICSC. If your city attends, as well a local developer, you’re attacking retailers from two angles.
• Retailers like to see how their store will fit into a space. If a developer is currently working on a strip center, lifestyle center, etc. in your community, they can bring information to the table in addition to your knowledge of the community.
• Having a larger workforce using your detailed city information.

Resources

Buxton Webcasts

Over the course of the year, Buxton has put on six webcasts discussing retail recruitment, marketing communities to retailers, downtown and neighborhood redevelopment and more. All of these webcasts are archived on the Buxton website. Look for upcoming webcasts on our website in 2009.

The Doom and Gloom mongers are having their way with us and continue to fuel this economic downward spiral. Don’t let them get to you. Those who keep a positive attitude will come through this storm and be better positioned to take advantage when the climate inevitably changes. This doesn’t mean you should ignore reality – it means change reality. Some points to consider:

• I just read that companies that advertised aggressively during the past recession had sales 256% higher than those who did not.
• CVS Caremark Corp. says they are not immune from what’s going on in the economy, but people are still getting their prescriptions filled and they’re still getting sick (maybe this isn’t such a positive note if you’re prone to getting sick). So CVS and Walgreens continue to expand.

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