Where We Buy: Retail Real Estate with James Cook

Gregg Katz, Director of Business Industry Solutions for Real Estate at ESRI and a nostalgic retail aficionado, shares his insights on defunct brands like Blockbuster and Planet Hollywood. He discusses the critical lessons from their rises and falls, emphasizing the pitfalls of rapid growth and the need for brands to adapt to technology. Personal anecdotes and reflections on iconic establishments, including Howard Johnson's, highlight the evolving landscape of retail and consumer preferences, reminding us of the significance of brand identity.

Nishant Jain is CEO of Presso, a company with a self-service machine that autonomously cleans, deodorizes, refreshes, and presses garments in about five minutes. Jain explains how Presso's technology simplifies traditional, labor-intensive dry cleaning processes and makes them more efficient and environmentally friendly. He explores potential applications in different real estate settings, from apartment buildings and hotels to shopping centers and laundromats.  James Cook is the Director of Retail Research in the Americas for JLL.  Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify  Listen: WhereWeBuy.show  Email: jamesd.cook@jll.com  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.  

George Banks of Revel is an experience-driven retail real estate veteran. He talks about the elements that make for a great retail street and successful food hall. He explores the importance of location, density, and the right tenant mix in both scenarios. He shares insights from the various projects his company has worked on across the country and provides a nuanced perspective on pedestrian streets and the merits of local versus national tenants in retail developments. James Cook is the Director of Retail Research in the Americas for JLL.  Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify  Listen: WhereWeBuy.show  Email: jamesd.cook@jll.com  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.  

Winston Fisher and Michael Beneville talk about the latest at Area 15, an immersive entertainment district in Las Vegas. They discuss the project's inception, the role of key attractions like Meow Wolf, and the unique blend of experiences that make it more than a typical entertainment venue. The interview covers Area 15's approach to creating a dynamic visitor experience through strategic curation and innovative offerings, from a 747 airplane installation to various themed districts and upcoming attractions such as Universal's Horror Unleashed. The conversation also highlights the analytical and creative strategies behind maintaining Area 15's relevance and appeal. James Cook is the Director of Retail Research in the Americas for JLL.  This interview was recorded with help from Entertainment Experience Evolution 2025, a conference by InterFace Conference Group, which is a division of France Media Inc. Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify  Listen: WhereWeBuy.show  Email: jamesd.cook@jll.com  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.  

Alex Patterson is founder and CEO of Beat The Bomb, an interactive entertainment venue inspired by action movies and team-building games. The concept combines mission-based challenges with a paint bomb finale. Patterson shares insights on the business's growth, ideal real estate, and target demographics. The conversation covers Beat the Bomb's unique gaming rooms, their formation inspired his experience working at Tough Mudder, and the potential for future growth in interactive digital gaming.  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.  Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify  Listen: WhereWeBuy.show  Email: jamesd.cook@jll.com  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.  

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.  Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify  Listen: WhereWeBuy.show  Email: jamesd.cook@jll.com  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.    

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: jamesd.cook@jll.com  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: jamesd.cook@jll.com  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: jamesd.cook@jll.com  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: jamesd.cook@jll.com  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.