Retail Redeveloped

Why is company culture so crucial to branding and the customer experience?  Today we're joined by Jim Ingles, President of Inglis Retailing and author of Breakthrough Retailing: How a Bleeding Orange Culture can Change Everything. Jim is a world-renowned expert with sixty years of experience in the retail home-improvement industry and a former Executive Vice President of The Home Depot company.  Listen along as we take an inside look at retail expansion strategies for large-box retailers, what made Home Depot the largest home center in the world, and how company culture helps grow market share.

The Fundamental purpose of both digital media and brick-and-mortar retail are rapidly changing.  Today we're talking through those changes with Retail Prophet, Doug Stephens. Doug is one of the world's foremost retail industry futurists. His intellectual work and thinking have influenced many of the world's best-known retailers, agencies and brands including Walmart, Google, Home Depot, Disney, BMW, Coca Cola, and Intel.  Listen along as we discuss how brand media impressions take place within physical retail, what the retail metaverse is and how it will radically change retail, and what's next for retail in a post digital world. 

As the world continues to emerge from the COVID-19 Pandemic, IPSOS' Latest E-Commerce Experience Report  revels how grocery stores and quick service restaurants have altered their customer service and which brands come out on top.  Today we're joined by Carlos Aragon, Vice President at IPSOS. IPSOS is one of the largest consumer data aggregators on he planet. Together we'll take a deep dive into the latest IPSOS report and discuss why 3/4 of consumers are continue with their online purchasing behavior. Listen along as we discuss what the continued online behaviors means for retailers, how we see the consumer acting as we move forward, and why retail is all about data. 

Mall of America is not your typical mall. Instead it is truly an entertainment destination. What makes Mall of America different is its sheer size. In short the mall is massive with a sprawling 5.5 million square feet, 7 acre indoor theme park, 520 stores, 60 dining establishments, 2 hotels, and and a dozen other attractions.  Today we're joined by Jill Renslow, Exectutive Vice President of Marketing and Development for Mall of America. Renslow works with top Mall leadership to provide direction and vision for the expansion to the Mall.   Listen along as we discuss how 5 and one half million square feet pivoted during the Coronavirus Pandemic and what's next for the destination 

To stay relevant, retailers are turning their brick-and-mortar storefronts into experience immersion tools.  Today we're joined by Howard Tiersky, Founder & CEO of FROM, the digital transformation agency and author of Winning Digital Customers: The Antidote to Irrelevance.  Listen along as we discuss how retailers can leverage digital to provide a greater customer experience and value proposition to the consumer; how legacy retailers are adapting to compete with digitally native brands; and why organizations may resist change

Howler Bros, One of the coolest emerging men' s clothing brands, tells us how experiences drive everything in retail whether its in store or DTC.  Today we're joined by Rick Wittenbraker, Chief Marketing Officer for , a clothing brand with timeless style of sports with modern influence from waves, water, geography, fashion and art Listen along as we talk through how Howler Brothers evolved from a digitally native brand to having a presence in retailers across 4 countries, the why behind the brand and how they work, and how they strategize for their ecommerce store front vs their brick-and-mortar strategy. 

Retailers are working hard to stay relevant in a post pandemic world. Those that will continue to thrive has found a balance between a solid omnichannel ecommerce site and experiential brick-and-mortar retail.  Today we're joined by Michael Osborne, President of Wonderkind. Wunderkind is a leading performance marketing engine that delivers tailored experiences at scale. Listen along as we discuss how retailers can compile behavior data in exchange or better consumer experience, how the halo effect can lead to customer loyalty, and how online data and sales and experiential brick-and-mortar retail can coexist.

After a devastating 15 months on the service industry, and two missed Queen's Feasts (July 2020 and Jan. 2021) due to COVID, Charlotte Restaurant Week is back, kicking off this Friday, July 16 and running through July 25. Due to restaurant staffing shortages, this year's Restaurant Week is scaled back to 41 restaurants in a five-county footprint.  Today we're joined by Bruce Hensley, who co-owns Charlotte Restaurant Week with his wife, Jill. Listen along as we discuss why this years restaurant week is more important than ever (and why you need a reservations), how the community can help restaurants get back on their feet post pandemic, and what changes are rapidly happening within the food industry. 

The Coronavirus Pandemic accelerated growth in Charlotte and made businesses either adapt or shutter their doors. Today we're joined by Katie Peralta Soloff, Reporter for Axios Charlotte. Axios Charlotte, formerly Charlotte Agenda, is a modern local news organization that exists to make Charlotte smarter and better connected. Listen along as we talk through the ever changing retail landscape, what the closing of legacy staples means for the Identity of Charlotte, and as we discuss what's next for the city.

The biggest disruption to the grocery sector over the course of the pandemic has been grocery delivery.  Today we're joined by Pradeep Elankumaran, CEO and Cofounder of Farmstead. Farmstead is an artificial intelligent powered farm-to-doorstep delivery startup out of California.  Listen along as we discuss the artificial intelligence delivery interruption in the grocery sector, Why farm to doorstep delivery is thriving above other grocery delivery services, and what's next for the grocery sector.

How can we use data to analyze how the market will bounce back post pandemic? Today we're joined by Chuck McShane, Director of Market Analytics for Costar. Costar is the leading provider of commercial real estate information, analytics and online marketplaces.   Listen along as we discuss consumer revenge spending habits, which categories have done well through the pandemic and which will continue to dominate, and what's next for retailers as we move out of the Coronavirus pandemic. 

Is South End still the industrial district in Charlotte or has it turned into more of a Midtown district?    Today we're joined by Clayton Sealey, or as you may know him online CLT Development, to take a deep dive into where South End came from and what the future of the neighborhood looks like.    Listen along as we discuss why South End should actually be considered Charlotte's Midtown, why skyscrapers are heading South of I-277 as we run out of room in Uptown, and how the neighborhood grew from industrial buildings to glass and Steele developments.  

Throughout the Coronavirus pandemic, many retailers have been struggling to stay afloat. However, there is one category that seems to be thriving as others are struggling: home stores. Stores such as Home Depot, Lowe’s, Target, and Walmart continue to enjoy increased busines during the Covid-19 pandemic, as people use their lockdown time to renovate their homes. Listen along as our guest host, Kate Yates, breaks down the why behind home stores success and what this means for the future of retail.

Charlotte’s development is not slowing down, but what will we see developers do in a post-Covid world?   Today we’re joined by Clayton Sealey, or as you may know him online CLT Development, to discuss the ins and outs of Charlottes development scene amongst a global pandemic.   Listen along as we discuss what the future of development looks like, if it’s feasible for cities to spread out and eliminate the need for Skyscraper offices, and how developments will be more purposeful in how they interact.  

Why do we keep seeing the same, constant mistakes being made within the retail sector?    Today we’re joined by Howard Meitiner, Managing Director at Carl Marks Advisors. Howard has decades of experience advising and leading retailers through business development improvements has previously served as President and CEO of Sephora, The Museum Store, and COO of Fortunoff Group.   Listen along as we discuss why retailers need to stop thinking in historic terms, how developers and retailers alike can create community spaces with emphasis placed on the customer experience, and why the pandemic has enabled us to transform the way we look at labor.  

How can we ensure retail is viewed as an amenity within a development?   Today we’re joined by Jared Londry, Co-Market Leader at Stream Realty Partners. Stream is one of the fastest-growing full-service commercial real estate companies in the country with over 250 million square feet of office, industrial, retail, and healthcare assignments, resulting in over $3.6 billion in real estate transactions annually.   Listen along as we discuss how to successfully add retail to a mixed-use development, how to ensure a. Merchandise mix fits the dynamics of a neighborhood, and why the pandemic is gasoline on a fire of what was already happening in the retail world.  

Why are retailers making the shift to go small?    Over the last few years, we’ve seen a major shift in malls across America. From closings to the addition of more entertainment options the model of the modern-day mall Is still being written. The latest retailer looking small is one of the States' top occupants: Macy’s.   Listen along as our guest host, Kate Yates, discusses the why behind smaller format stores and how the global pandemic has accelerated this change.  

COVID -19 rewrote the rules of shopping – but which ones will stick post-pandemic?   Today we’re joined by Suzanne Kapner, retail reporter for the Wall Street Journal. Her coverage area includes department stores like Macy’s, J.C. Penney and Neiman Marcus, as well as apparel companies like Michael Kors and Polo.    Her recent story about how COVID changed our shopping habits caught our attention, especially the role technology has played in our new shopping behavior.   Listen along as we get her take on if COVID conveniences such as curbside pickup, contactless payment and virtual dressing rooms are here to stay. 

From greenways and ballparks to housing and transit, Charlotte is regarded as a well-planned city and that’s not by chance. Beginning with the Odell Plan in the 1960s, the Queen City has a 50-year tradition of creating a new Center City plan every 10 years to provide a blueprint for long-term growth and development. It’s that time again and parts of the 2040 Plan are generating strong opinions so we’ve gone to the source to understand why.   Today we’re joined by Charlotte Planning Director Taiwo Jaiyeoba. He and his team authored the Charlotte 2040 Plan.   Listen along as we discuss his vision for an equitable, livable, sustainable and inclusive Charlotte, highlights of and objections to the 2040 Plan, and why transportation and housing are so important to Charlotte’s future. 

How can small business owners, developers, real estate agents, and investors collaborate together in a meaningful way and curate mixed-use developments where small shops can thrive.     Today we’re joined by Barry Greene, CEO of Shades of Moss Plant Shop and Founder of Mint City Connect. Shades of Moss, named Charlotte’s best plant shop in 2020, is a one-stop-plant-shop where customers have the opportunity to become educated on plants and work with a designer to curate plants to fit their space. Barry’s latest initiative Mint City Connect, strives to connect black-owned businesses with investors, commercial real estate groups and developers in order to shed a light on the affordable commercial real estate crisis happening within the city and to assist black-owned businesses open brick-and-mortar storefronts.     Listen along as we take a deep dive into how Barry has curated his following and amassed wide-spread success within his first year of operation, the why behind Mint City Connect and what he hopes to achieve through this initiative, and how micro-retail is changing the retail game.  

When your teams mentality shifts, your culture gets defined.     Today we’re joined by Mark Quinn, President & CEO of Sibose LLC, and Mark Kinsley, CEO of Englander Sleep Products. This dynamic duo recently released their latest book Come Back to Bed: Attract more foot traffic and make people fall in love with your store. Come Back to Bed answers the age defining question: what does it take for today’s independent retailers to survive and thrive?     Listen along as we discuss how independent retailers can drive more foot traffic to their brick-and-mortar stores and why it’s important for retailers to create an experience for consumers that’s better than what they can accomplish online.  

What keeps a customer from purchasing in store or at all? Today we’re joined by Carlos Aragon, Vice President of Client Success and US Channel Performance for IPSOS. IPSOS, a global market research firm, has launched its Consumer Health & Safety Index, an inaugural health and safety benchmarking study that evaluates how retailers are operating amidst COVID-19.  Listen along as we discuss the future of contactless handoff with click to collect sales, how the pandemic will continue to shift the why behind consumers behavior, and why health and safety is still the most important factor for consumers.

Has South End always been at the center of innovation? Today we’re joined by Megan Gude, Vice President of South End for Charlotte Center City Partners. She manages programs to activate public and private spaces, enhance public infrastructure, promote the neighborhood’s best attributes, and connect people and businesses. Listen along as we discuss South End’s innovative roots that began with the Gold Rush of 1892. An industrial corridor and four light rail stops later, it has become a buzzing metropolis for retail, office, and residential.

Pre-pandemic restaurants were all about the experience and were coming up with creative solutions to the public’s growing trend to spend their money on an experience rather than an object.   Since March 2020, restaurants have been placed under strict orders to either close entirely, open for take-out only, offer outside seating only, and/or open at limited capacities. Restaurant owners have gotten creative with how to service their customers and remain profitable amongst strict measures and the growing global health crisis.   Listen along as our guest host, Kate Yates, takes you on a deep dive to discuss what restaurants are doing to stay afloat among orders to either stay closed or pivot to outdoor dining only

How do you break into a retail sector where 90% of the market is owned or controlled by one company? Today we’re joined by Johnny Freeman, Founder and CEO of Johnny Fly Co. Johnny Fly was founded in 2011, with a hand full of designs and an ambitious objective: to create wearable artwork and one-of-a-kind items that represent a unique individuality that can only be found in nature. The brand was formed from humble beginnings with a scattering of tee shirts and a passion to create something truly original. Listen along as we discuss how to build a brand from the dining room table to shipping to 89 different countries, the why behind wooden, eco-friendly sunglasses, and what it looks like to take the plunge from being a direct-to-consumer brand to having your own brick-and-mortar store.

How does artificial intelligence (AI) tie into the rapidly changing retail landscape? Today we’re joined by Bram Warfsky, Founder of Shelfgram. Shelfgram’s platform provides increased in-store visibility and a suite of competitive intelligence tools to better understand how products look, perform, and compete on the shelf. Listen along as we discuss "the why" behind Shelfgram’s innovative AI technology, the next big changes coming to the grocery ecosystem, and how brands can understand what happens when your strategy turns into execution.

Why are economists saying Charlotte will be a net winner coming out of the current pandemic?  Today we’re joined by Clayton Sealey, or as you may know him on social media, CLT Development. Together we’ll discuss why secondary markets are winning the Pandemic.  Listen along as we discuss what markets will come out on top after the government shut downs, why we’re seeing people move out of major US markets to move to secondary cities, and how secondary and tertiary markets are seeing an acceleration of of new residents and developments.

Why should developers be pushing forward with their projects through the pandemic? Listen along as Jason Thomas and I discuss all things development in the pandemic, what office space will look like at the tail end of this, and the spotlight that is being created on second tier cities.

What thought work and strategy are behind how brands identify unique differentiators for their product? Today we’re joined by Michael Keplinger, Director of Strategy and Managing Partner for SmashBrand. SmashBrand is the only agency in the world that designs, tests, and optimizes brands and products with real consumers — so that before it hits the shelves, their clients know the increase in preference and sales impact. Listen along as we take a deep dive into how a brand can track purchasing behaviors among consumers to better their packaging and brand awareness, what brands are getting it right, and take a look at what is driving the modern-day customer.

What would a Central Park esq. green space mean for the city of Charlotte? Today Jason Thomas and I are discussing the proposed Central Park that would be planned for Charlotte’s rail yard, near Optimist Hall. Listen along as we discuss is a green space of this size feasible for the city, where does Charlotte stand on park developments, and how would more parks be received by those that live in and around Charlotte? 

Are Offices as we know them dead?  Today we’re joined by , or as you may know him on social media, CLT Development. Together we'll tackle the question on the top of everyones mind: will we ever make a return to what office life was like in February, 2020?  Listen along as we take a deep-dive into what office/work-from-home hybrid models may exist post government shutdowns, how the physical office layout may change, and how quickly we project central business districts to bounce back after the pandemic. 

Today I’m teaming up with development influencer, Jason Thomas, to discuss development vs gentrification. We’re seeing an unbelievable renaissance with old warehouses in and around the city, where new retailers are moving for lower rents. However, as an area begins to become cool/hip/local, young people, with a little big of money, want to move in and redesign homes in that area. One of the biggest problems the city of Charlotte is starting to realize - how do you grow an area while also making up for the necessary affordable housing developments, transportation, and social programs? Listen along and let us know your thoughts - can you stop development and what is the balance between growth and gentrification? 

Are companies going suburban? Today we’ll tackle the discussion everyone outside of the city center wants to know - will COVID push a more hub & spoke suburban sprawl? Will the burbs finally get Cool concepts we’re seeing pop up in South End/Dilworth and other parts of town? Check out today’s episode and then tell us what you think!   

How can companies demystify the technology and process of personalized marketing? Today we’re joined by Diaz Nesamoney, Founder and CEO of Jivox. Jivox enables the world’s top brands to deliver personalized dynamic content across all marketing channels to power digital commerce. Diaz’s latest book Personalized Digital Advertising: How Data and Technology are Transforming How we Market is the first practical guide to supercharged digital advertising personalization: what's here, what's next, and how to make the most of it.  Listen along as we discuss how tech and data are working together to make digital advertising appear seamless, why brands should use consented and personalized data shares, and how COVID-19 is forcing legacy brands to think outside-the-box in terms of digital marketing and data collection.

The question that plagues the Charlotte bar scene: how many are too many breweries? Enjoy another episode of our Friday Hot Takes with Adam Williams & Jason Thomas as they debate the question as old as Instagram: does Charlotte have too many breweries and do we need to focus our attention elsewhere? Listen along as we take a stance and discuss quality of beer, location, ambiance, and suburbia in the hot take that dominates all other hot takes. 

What will workplaces like look like in a post COVID-19 world?  Today we’re joined by Irene Vogelsong, Associate Principal of Corporate Interiors for Perkins + Will. Irene has over 20 years of experience in workplace design. Her approach emphasizes wellbeing in environments while supporting diverse work methods and lifestyles. Perkins + Will recently released their Road Map for Return; Guidance for a Return to the Office During COVID-19 in which they share how workplaces can begin returning to normalcy.  Listen along as we discuss the three future office models and how Covid-19 has shaped each of them, when we will full return to the pre-pandemic office model, and how developers can support and amenities their asset for office Tenants moving forward.

Are the rumors true? Is South End Immune to the Coronavirus? On today’s episode of the 5Q Showdown we’ll discuss why businesses in South End seem to be thriving amongst a global Pandemic that has shut down much of the rest of the city. Enjoy this lively debate between Adam Williams and @Jasonthomasclt about the demographics in South End, how South End is “winning” during the pandemic, and what’s next for the neighborhood. 

What restaurants will be net winners after we pass the Coronavirus pandemic and what innovations are restauranteurs putting in place to come out on top?  Today we're joined by Dan Simons, Founder and Co-Owner of Farmers Restaurant Group. is a concept development and restaurant management company whose collection of restaurants is owned by more than 40,000 family farmers of the North Dakota Farmers Union, serving American inspired food and drink with an emphasis on cooking from scratch. Listen along as we discuss how a mission-driven restaurant group operates, what the future of restaurants look like in a post Covid-19 world, and Farmers scaled their restaurant group to include 7 restaurants, a distillery, and a bakery.  

Amelie’s French Bakery recently announced they would be closing their Uptown store for good. This closing is a brutal hit for Center City and has taken an individualized/local retailer out of Uptown. How can Uptown Charlotte recover from the closings we’ve seen this year and will continue to see into 2021? Enjoy this episode of 5Q Showdown as Jason Thomas and Adam Williams discuss the pros and cons to Amelie’s, and others, leaving the Center City tenant mix. 

What impact will the Coronavirus pandemic have on retail and office real estate markets moving forward?  Today we're joined Darryl Dewberry, Chairman & CEO of The Spectrum Companies. The Spectrum Companies is a fully integrated real estate conglomerate developing, owning, and leasing office, retail, mixed-use, and multifamily projects in the Southeast.  Listen along as we take a deep-dive into what's next for office leasing and companies across the country as offices begin to reopen, why Vantage South End in Charlotte is the only office project Invesco has kicked off this year, and what markets will be a net winner after the pandemic. 

In recent years we have seen an overwhelming buzz of activity on the Eastern side of Charlotte. Several corridors down Highway 74 have been elevated from their lackluster reputations to bursting with new development seemingly overnight. What is it that is pushing local retail into East Charlotte? Today we're joined by a surprise guest host and Associate Broker, Kate Yates! Kate is joined by three business owners who have recently moved their companies into the East side of town - Jessica Law, owner of The Dog Salon; Sherman Walters, owner of the historic Dairy Queen that sat in the hart of Plaza Midwood; and Curtis Stone, Co-Owner of Swirl Bakery and Celestial Cakery.  Listen along as we discuss the why behind these businesses moving east, why a shared vision with your Landlord opens further collaboration among Tenants, and how Eastway Crossing and other East Charlotte shopping centers are taking off with a lineup of new, local Tenants. 

In July, 2020 the city of Charlotte teamed up with "Charlotte is Creative" to fund a massive Black Live's Matter mural in the heart of Uptown. 17 local artists were chosen to participate in the project, which shut down a portion of Tryon Street over the past several months in celebration. In November, Charlotte City Council voted to reopen Tryon Street to roadway traffic.  Should the City have kept that portion of Tryon Street closed? Is it possible to permanently make Tryon Street, in Uptown, a complete pedestrian thoroughfare? Listen along to the latest episode of 5Q Showdown as our hosts, Adam Williams and Jason Thomas, discuss the ins and outs of completely closing down a city street and what reopening Tryon St means for the future of the mural?

Why is it that during the Coronavirus pandemic, retailers have had the best opportunity to reach potential customers they've never had access to before? Today we're joined by Ron Thurston, Vice President of Stores at INTERMIX and author of Retail Pride: The Guide to Celebrating your Accidental Career. INTERMIX, now under the Gap Inc. brand, is a collection of specialty boutiques known for curating the most sought-after styles from a compelling and edited mix of both established and emerging designers.  Listen along as we take a deep dive into the long term implications on luxury retail because of Covid-19, why the human touch is at the center of customer service excellence, and how Ron curated his career in retail and positioned himself as a best selling author. 

What could be better then two retail nerds sitting down and debating real estate as it relates to the retail and restaurant sector in Charlotte? Today we're debuting a new series where Adam Williams, Commercial Real Estate Broker, and Jason Thomas, Charlotte Development Expert, sit down and deliberate all things retail. This week we’ll answer the question: are more restaurants opening than closing, so far, during covid? Listen along as we take a deep dive into the concepts that have opened their doors over the last 8 months, which retailers have shuttered citing COVID-19 as the cause, and what it says about Charlotte as a whole to have so many restaurants opening in the worst time, economically, since the Great Depression.  

How can brick-and-mortar retailers take in-store enjoyment and transform that into a successful sales opportunity?  Today we're joined by Paul Brenner, Chief Strategy Officer for Vibenomics. Vibenomics was created with a simple focus – to help location-based businesses and connected cities create and control a vibe that will drive their business economics. As the nation’s premier Audio Experience Solution provider, they help businesses enhance sales and enrich the customer experience through licensed background music playlists and professional voice announcements. Listen along as we take a deep dive into how in store audio affects a retailers bottom line and helps elevate sales, the mechanics behind reaching the hundreds of in-store customers a retailer sees daily, and how the next generation of in-store advertising works. 

How can developers take a former factory, rich in history, and transform it into a successful retail powerhouse?  Today we're joined by Damon Hemmerdinger, Co-President at ATCO and Camp North End's Placemaker-in-Chief. Once used to produce Model Ts and Army missiles, this 76-acre historic industrial site now serves as a hub for creativity and innovation, as Charlotte's largest adaptive reuse project, in the heart of the North End Smart District.  Listen along as we take a deep dive into ATCO's plans for the project, discuss how public art and repurposing buildings became crucial to the redevelopment efforts, and why short-term leases are beneficial to both landlords and a sites trendy and "fresh" atmosphere.  

The Coronavirus pandemic has brought forth many changes in the way consumers experience retail. In recent years, retailers have already begun pushing towards a customer centric model. Successful retailers, who are 'winning' as stores reopen, all have one thing in common, they are taking consumer health & safety measures seriously.  Today we're joined by Shohini Banerjee,  Senior Vice President - US Channel Performance, at IPSOS. IPSOS is a sophisticated data company and is the third largest research firm in the world. The conduct consumer research in 19+ countries and have recently released their .  Listen along as we take a deep dive into the latest consumer health & safety measures that are important during the Coronavirus pandemic, which attributes are driving consumers to return to in person shopping, and how retailers are shifting to shrinking storefronts and increasing their online eCommerce. 

With thousands of retailers shuttering across America, malls are left with an increasing number of vacant store fronts. Landlords have become creative with how they fill these empty spaces. Some have added upscale food halls, full service restaurants, and entertainment options while others are turning to industrial tenants to fill their empty spaces.  Demand for e-commerce services has skyrocketed during the Coronavirus pandemic and the demand for warehouse space has risen along with it. To remain relevant, fulfillment centers could be the answer for filling large, vacant department store fronts across the US.  Listen along as we take a deep dive into the why behind industrial tenants and discuss case studies for why landlords should rethink the need to add these logistical tenants to their mall landscapes. 

How has a personalized, on demand laundry service transformed the way Charlotteans wash their clothes?  Today we're joined by Alex Smearsnack, Founder & CEO of 2ULaundry. 2ULaundry is the new way to do laundry and dry cleaning. With their convenient pick-up and drop-off service, they're on a mission to provide people with an effortless and convenient solution to laundry and dry cleaning. Listen along as we take a deep dive into the why behind 2ULaundry and their operations, how to scale and franchise in new markets, and why a laundry company has decided to vertically integrate and own their supply chain. 

How can street-level art elevate an institutional retail center?  Today we're joined by Libby Lassiter, President for Bayer Properties, and Mindy Rohr, Marketing Manager for Bayer Properties. Bayer Properties defies the simple definition of being developers and property managers. They currently own and/or operate retail, urban and office properties totaling approximately 10 million square feet, including The Metropolitan in Charlotte, NC.  Listen along as we take a deep dive into the challenges of managing thriving retail centers, discuss how to take away "newness" through a marketing strategy to appear more accessible to the general public, and how public art can transform a retail center. 

What restaurants are taking chances and changing the narrative of food landscapes in cities across America?  Today we're joined by Bryan Southwick, Design Manager, with a focus on food and beverage, with Gensler Charlotte. Bryan joined Gensler in 2017 to support the growth and development of retail work in Charlotte’s Lifestyle Studio.  He has provided his expertise on projects ranging from food halls to restaurants, breweries, specialty retail, creative office space, adaptive reuse and office podium repositioning Listen along as we take a look at restaurants from a design standpoint, discuss the shift in competition to local, chef-driven restaurants, and how closings, due to Covid-19, will bring forth contemporary concepts that will help breathe new life into cities.