Retail Retold

What's a 1031 exchange and how can you use it to make money in real estate? In this episode of Retail Retold , Chris Ressa sits down with 1031 exchange expert David Foster to demystify one of real estate’s most powerful wealth-building tools. David, a seasoned Qualified Intermediary (QI), breaks down how 1031 exchanges allow investors to legally defer capital gains taxes when selling and reinvesti...

It's Shawarma with Swagger, and it's coming to America. From humble beginnings in London, Ontario, to a thriving restaurant chain with over 64 locations , Tahini’s is now poised for U.S. expansion—fueled by innovative flavors, a massive social media following, and a franchise model centered around local ownership and community engagement. This week, Chris Ressa talks with Tahini's Founder and CEO...

In this Retail Retold Replay , Chris Ressa dives into the winding path of a complex lease deal at a DLC shopping center in Cheektowaga, NY — where Five Below ultimately took the space, but not before a rollercoaster of negotiations, tenant terminations, and lessons in legal vs. physical possession. The story starts with Office Depot downsizing, a prospective tenant backing out, and ends with a suc...

Through the lens of a single neighborhood shopping center in Lawrenceville, GA, Chris Ressa lays out a compelling story of what’s happening across retail real estate today—and why the industry isn’t just surviving, it’s thriving . Despite headlines about disruption and store closures, America is undersupplied when it comes to retail space, and demand is surging. In Lawrenceville, post-COVID succes...

Summary In this episode of What's in Store , Chris Ressa and Karly Iacono hold their feet to the fire—revisiting bold predictions made at ICSC to see what held up, what flopped, and what’s next. From the unshakable rise of value retail to the surge in food and beverage concepts, they dissect the real trends shaping retail today. They dig into the tug-of-war between experiential and convenience, th...

It's an exciting time at DLC. In a perfect case study of how our vertically integrated team executes in unlocking the value of real estate, Chris Ressa interviews Jack Rosencrans , Vice President of Development at DLC, about DLC's foray into self-storage development in Columbus, OH. The conversation covers the rise of self-storage as a viable asset class, the strategic decision to enter the Columb...

In this episode of Retail Retold, host  Chris Ressa  speaks with  Peyton Thomas , Vice President of Construction at  Renovo Construction . They discuss Peyton’s unique journey from a career in acting to construction, the innovative approaches Renovo takes in the general contracting industry, and the challenges faced during the construction of a Dick’s Sporting Goods store in It...

In this episode of Retail Retold, Chris Ressa discusses the current state of the retail market, highlighting growth in retail sales and the implications of recent bankruptcies. He shares a detailed case study of a redevelopment project in Lockport, New York, where a vacant Walmart was transformed into a multi-tenant property. Ressa emphasizes the importance of creativity and adaptability in commer...

Summary In this episode of What's in Store , Chris Ressa and Karly Iacono are building up the buzz leading into ICSC Las Vegas—the "Super Bowl" of retail real estate. It's not just about big deals; it's about the mindsets of the retailers, landlords, and other industry stakeholders. The trio of hot topics? Tariffs, AI, and supply-demand warfare. While tariffs continue to ripple uncertainty, AI's f...

Your best new tenant might be sitting right above your head. On this episode of Retail Retold , Chris Ressa is joined by Bill Fitzgerald of Radial Power to reveal a game-changing secret for retail landlords: your rooftop is prime real estate. Backed by industry heavyweights like Starwood and Related, Radial Power is turning unused roof space into pure NOI with zero CapEx. Forget about just cutting...

Guy Morris is a legend in the real estate business and in this episode, you will hear why. He started in advertising but quickly realized that real estate was where it was at for him. Guy shares with Chris Ressa his experiences in building a portfolio, the resilience of retail real estate post-COVID, and the current dynamics of the market in New York City. He emphasizes the importance of central b...

Data transparency? Transaction timelines? In this episode of "What's In Store?" Chris Ressa and Karly Iacono discuss what they would love to see improve in CRE. Focusing on the need for data transparency, the inefficiencies in transaction timelines, and the complexity of documentation, they explore potential solutions and innovations that could enhance the industry's efficiency and effectiveness....

If it's happening in CRE in Ohio, Tori Nook is all over it. But her journey to starting her brokerage, Anchor Retail, was definitely unexpected. In this episode of Retail Retold, Chris Ressa and Tori talk about the current state of the retail landscape and the unique characteristics of the Ohio market, where DLC now has four open-air shopping centers. She highlights the challenges and opportunitie...

What do you think you know about measuring foot traffic? In this episode of Retail Retold, Chris Ressa and Carla Henson, Vice President of Solutions at MRI Software discuss the evolution of foot traffic analytics, the integration of AI in retail, and how data can optimize customer experiences. Carla shares insights on the potential of visual AI in understanding consumer behavior and the importance...

What does it take to revive a retail brand? And, have you heard the most incredible grassroots approach to site selection? In this episode of Retail Retold, host Chris Ressa speaks with Stephanie Stuckey, CEO of Stuckey's, about her journey and the rich history of the iconic roadside retailer from its 1937 to its peak during the Great American Road Trip era. She discusses her plans for expansion,...

Will Chris and Karly agree on the impacts of privatization on retail? In this episode, Chris Ressa and Karly Iacono focus on significant deals such as Walgreens' privatization by Sycamore Partners, Nordstrom's strategic move to go private, and Blackstone's acquisition of ROIC. What are the implications of these changes for investors? Plus, they recap the highlights of ICSC OAC from earlier this mo...

Have you ever thought about real estate beneath the stores where you shop? Evan Mouhalis does, and he does it well. In this conversation, Chris Ressa and Evan, a real estate entrepreneur and managing partner of Mahalas Capital Management, discuss Evan's journey from commercial real estate finance to developing retail properties and venturing into the tire business. The conversation covers various...

It'Sugar is more than just a candy store. It's an immersive experience. In this episode of Retail Retold, Chris Ressa interviews Jonathan Schwartz , the Vice President of It'Sugar. Jonathan shares his journey in real estate, detailing his experiences from corporate real estate to leading the real estate department at It's Sugar. He discusses the unique positioning of It's Sugar as more than just a...

In this episode of Retail Retold, host Chris Ressa speaks with Aaron Harris , Vice President of Real Estate and Construction for Dutch Bros Coffee. They discuss the unique drive-thru experience at Dutch Bros, the company's rapid expansion plans, and how they navigated the challenges of the pandemic. Aaron shares insights on the Albuquerque store's opening, the importance of market knowledge, and t...

Can two retail real estate thought leaders really pick five "favorite" retailers? It's like picking a favorite kid! In this episode of 'What's in Store,' hosts Chris Ressa and Karly Iacono do pick some favorites, spotlighting innovative retailers across various categories. They explore the performance of general merchandisers, grocery stores, soft goods, specialty retailers, hard goods, and food a...

In this episode of Retail Retold, host Chris Ressa speaks with Peyton Thomas , Vice President of Construction at Renovo Construction . They discuss Peyton's unique journey from a career in acting to construction, the innovative approaches Renovo takes in the general contracting industry, and the challenges faced during the construction of a Dick's Sporting Goods store in Ithaca, New York. The conv...

In this episode of Retail Retold, host Chris Ressa speaks with bankruptcy counsel Scott Fleischer , partner at Barclay Damon , about the intricacies of retail bankruptcies, focusing on the Chuck E. Cheese case during the COVID-19 pandemic. They discuss the unique challenges faced by retailers, the role of landlords, and the impact of lender support in bankruptcy outcomes. The conversation also tou...

In this episode of Retail Retold, host Chris Ressa and Travis Farren, Vice President of Leasing at DLC are feeling the vibes of a unique coffee shop that opened at La Frontera Village, just outside of Austin, TX. Putting the customer experience at the center of the shop, the owner was executing on a robust business plan that has set him up for success. With over 20 years in the industry, Travis sh...

This week, host Chris Ressa interviews Josh Suffin, president of RetailStat (formerly CreditIntel), about the evolution of the company, the importance of relationships in retail real estate, and insights into the current state of the industry. Josh shares his journey in the retail sector - he started part time at RetailStat at the age of 15! - the significance of understanding client needs, and th...

Topics: Retail, real estate, consumer spending, holiday sales, health and wellness, gym industry, marketing psychology, e-commerce, value retail, consumer trends In this episode of What's in Store, hosts Chris Ressa and Karly Iacono are in the nitty-gritty of consumer spending trends, holiday sales performance, and the HOT category of health and wellness. They also discuss the psychology behind ma...