Existing physical bookstores have proven their worth over the years, competing with online retail, until a global pandemic shut the world down. Changed and challenged through this past year, brick and mortar bookstores have had to find very creative means to keep customers coming (at a distance). 

One way many have adapted to competing with online retailers is by offering something online cannot offer: food service. A coffee shop is a place to relax with a warm mug and read a good book. Bars are a gathering places for the socially starved. Combining a bookstore with coffee or wine offerings multiplies the uses and desire to gather in these locations. 

Similar to a sports bar, a wine/coffee/book store is a mutual space for people with shared interests. A prosperous bookstore isn’t going to try to collect every book under the sun. Good bookstores curate their collections through choosing books that fit into a collective interest. By being selective in collections, bookstores, bars or coffee shops can create a meeting place for a specific market, such as fandom, rare book collections, cultural ideologies and much more.

A bookstore housing coffee or wine might seem pretty typical or maybe very unusual. Populating the country by the dozens, bookstore/coffee/wine concepts are popping up for a lot of good reasons. Detailed below are some of the ways existing bookstores with coffee shops or wine bars are viable and effective together. 

Event venue

Most retail stores wouldn’t consider renting out store space for an event, but a bookstore doubling as a coffee shop or wine bar could be just the right event venue. For events that usually involve gifts (weddings, bridal or baby showers, birthdays, etc), guests could enjoy the refreshments served in-house while they browse for a gift (or just something for themselves). Author events, which are staple to bookstores, just got added refreshments. Congregated for regular meetings could be a book club’s perfect spot. Imagine a day retreat for the company in a bookstore with artisan coffee or a glass of wine on hand. Poetry readings could be cohabit with wine tastings. The ideas to combine the concept of bookstore, coffee, and wine, are unceasing, wildly creative, and often, very successful. 

One example of a bookstore serving wine by the glass and offering a private venue for events is Battery Park Book Exchange.

Off premises parties

For off-premise parties, bookstore operators don’t need to worry about party goers getting tipsy over all the merchandise. Similar to catering a party, bookstores bring the best sellers and a few favorites and give a quick book review while allowing the partygoers to pick from the curated selection. It’s a win-win situation for bookstore operators who don’t have the space or desire to rent their space for events yet still give them the potential to make sales while the customers get a unique party concept, books to discuss, and wine or coffee to taste. 

Here’s an example of off premise parties offered by BusBoys and Poets

Date night… with a book

For book lovin’ couples, date night at the bookstore and sampling wines or cozying up with a cup of coffee is the ideal date setting. For a solo date night (or just to spice things up), take a step into the unexplored and have a blind date with a book. All wrapped up in paper packaging, title unrevealed, is a book ready to be read all night long. The book may be a new love, or tossed after just a few minutes. The adventure is in the unknown. Capitalizing on book and wine sales, a bottle of wine could be added to the date, wrapped like the book, to extend the date night enjoyment. 

See an example of a blind date with a book at Ada’s

A gathering place for ideas

Bars and coffee shops already exist as gathering places for conversation. Supplement and complement the conversation with literature. Combining the social aspects of a bar or coffee house with the intellectual addition of good books, new ideas form and communities can flourish. The Wild Detectives in Dallas, Texas knew the power in combining a bar and bookstore when they joined their passion for books and booze in their own bookstore/bar. Since then, success has not only been afforded to their establishment, but to the concept of creating a space that becomes a meeting place for ideas and culture. Said well on their website, “We want our space to encourage people to have a drink and talk to one another, to open up and share ideas, to hang out smartly, to engage in a conversation that will open new realities for them.” More than just combining books and booze, a bookstore/bar becomes a gathering place where knowledge and ideas can flow. 

I highly recommend watching Javier Garcia del Moral, co-owner of The Wild Detectives, give a TED talk on why they added a bar to a bookstore. 

Pairing books and wine

Commonly known are food and wine pairings. However, for a book/wine bar, book and wine pairings come more naturally. Essentially, book/wine bundles are a way to suggest books or wine customers may not have tried. Prominence is also given to the fact that some things just go well together, so why keep them apart? Often, book/wine bundles are also offered at a discount, increasing the probability of moving more product at a quicker pace. 

BookBar in Denver is one example, offering book/bar bundles. 

Bliss Books and Wine pairs specific wines with specific book titles. 

Book and other subscriptions

Common to our modern age are subscriptions, available for just about any concept imaginable, including books and wine. Subscribers pay a monthly, flat rate fee and receive a new book and wine bottle. Local bookstores can offer curbside or in-store pick up for the regular monthly purchase or ship it out. Since books are a versatile gift, book subscriptions can be gifted to just about anyone. Story & Song bookstore has a BookHugs subscription to include little ones in the love of reading. All they need is something the child is interested in and your budget and they will lovingly pick and ship the book. 

Another example of a book and wine subscription is Kramers.

Have you already imagined the empty space in your portfolio that would be perfect for a book/wine/coffee concept, but no clue how to find the right tenant? Researching all the existing concepts would take a considerable amount of time and not produce the results needed to actually fill the space. Retailsphere has already done the research and found retailers who are looking to expand. Your next productive step will be to set up a virtual meeting with a Retailsphere professional to guide you to your next retail tenant. 

The post Creative Retail Concepts to Fill Vacancies appeared first on Retailsphere.

1). Fentons CreameryWhat's known for being the retro ice cream parlor that's open 24/7, Fentons Creamery has been a fan favorite since 1894 for their handcrafted ice creams and homemade sauces.

Besides being featured on the Travel Channel, Food Network, and the History Channel, Fentons Creamery can be found in the Disney movie, Up.

Whether you want to try some seasonal flavors like Apple Pie, Gold Rush, Rum Raisin, Egg Nog, or stick with the traditional flavors like Butter Pecan, Chocolate Mint, Swiss Milk, Cookies 'N' Cream, Coffee, or Mocha Royale, you can find them all here.

With locations in Oakland, and Vacaville, California, they are an up and comer garnering notice nationwide. 

2). Bi-Rite Creamery

This homemade organic creamery has been around since 1998 and strives to make a difference for this Earth. Through their farm, solar-powered ice cream truck, and Bi-Rite Cafe in Civic Center Plaza, they want to create an atmosphere that families can come together to enjoy delicious ice cream surrounded by nature's beauty.

Every flavor that Kris makes, focuses on remembering and recapturing a happy memory by using flavorful and locally sourced ingredients. Everything is homemade, even the ingredients that go into their ice cream, so you know what you're putting into your body.

They have five San Francisco locations and are looking to expand their footprint in the bay area.

3). Afters Ice Cream

Afters Ice-Cream is on a mission to create an "Anti-Diet Diet Club" where they embrace eating desserts because it's more than just ice cream, it's known as a lifestyle.

Their message and unique flavors like Milk and Cereal, Cookie Monster, and Jasmine Milk Tea sets them apart from their competitors. Whether you want a cup, a cone, or a glazed bun, with their one of a kind ice creams in between, come on by one of their twenty-seven California locations.

Take your ice-cream experience to the next level by trying out these top three California ice-cream concepts today; you don't want to miss out on the fun! Reach out to schedule your Retilsphere demo today.

The post Top Ice Cream Concepts to bring to your California Shopping Center appeared first on Retailsphere.

City Creek

Positioned in the heart of downtown Salt Lake City, City Creek Center is the best performing and most unique shopping center in Utah. Built as an indoor/outdoor shopping center with a retractable roof for inclement weather proves to bridge the best of indoor and outdoor malls. True to the name,  a small creek runs through the indoor hallways of the mall. Expect to find the best of the luxury brands beside local, high-end boutiques.

Well-behaved pups and their human parents are also welcome to the center. A long list of retailers welcome pets into the store, some leaving water bowls outside the front of the shop for pets to replenish their thirst from a day full of shopping. Demand to become a tenant at City Creek Center is high, resulting in little to no vacancies. 

NorthPark Center

Combining shopping with modern art curated from internationally acclaimed artists, NorthPark Center in Dallas offers an artful, breathtaking retail experience. Modern art is displayed throughout the mall's common areas, inside and out. Take in the sight of  Mark di Suvero’s grand 48 feet tall Ad Astra, the largest indoor piece by the renowned artist. Visitors can follow the art tour mapped out to view all the pieces while simultaneously shopping. NorthPark  welcomes more visitors than most conventional art museums. Naturally, luxury retail brands fit in well to the artistic atmosphere. Louis Vuitton recently expanded its presence in NorthPark. The high end brands alongside modern pieces of art beckons back visitors searching for beauty to behold (and buy). 

Aventura Mall

Winter holidays in Florida may not promise the snow, but Aventura Mall can certainly promise the magic of the holidays. Nestled between Miami and Fort Lauderdale, Aventura Mall is celebrating the holidays bigger than ever. The beloved Aventura Station is the largest model train in Florida, and lovingly built and installed over 5,000 hours. Aventura Mall welcomes Santa and the Grinch. Santa resides in Santa’s Workshop with larger than life 13 feet tall candy canes, 12 feet tall toy soldiers, and a 5 minute light show every hour.

Guests visiting the Grinch will find him in the recreated Grinch's cave called “The Grinch’s Grotto”. Bring a 39 ½ foot pool (or maybe just 6 feet) to maintain social distancing protocols. Also sprinkled throughout the mall are bushes playfully trimmed into reindeer waiting for a passerby to take a photo. Other Instagram worthy photo ops are next to the Santa’s sleigh or the 8 feet tall Menorah. Brimming with holiday festivities and events, Aventura continues to be a sought after shopping destination for locals and travelers alike. 

South Coast Plaza

The South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa, California must be one of Santa’s most magical spots, because Santa is in two places at once! Waving merrily from his sleigh behind protective glass and surrounded by decor reminiscent of “It’s a Small World”, Around the World with Santa will bring a little extra cheer to shoppers passing by. For a more personal meet and greet with Jolly Ol’ Saint Nick, guests can visit him (weather permitting) in Santa’s Outdoor Wonderland. Near full capacity, the South Coast Plaza brims full with fine dining, the very best of the luxurious brands, and trendsetting local boutiques. 

Scottsdale Fashion Square

A leader in luxury, Scottsdale Fashion Square’s success and continued expansion has hardly been slowed down by the pandemic. New renovations, additions, and redevelopment advance as the shopping center flourishes with shoppers seeking the high end. New designer up-scale stores include Saint Laurent, Dior, and Golden Goose. Holiday hours extended, Fashion Square proves to be keeping busy during the holiday season. Near or far for the holidays? Scottsdale Fashion Square also has a downloadable Holiday Santa Kit for make-at-home crafts. 

Many retailer databases crowd the market but none provide data as complete and reliable as ours. Retailsphere works hard to offer the most complete retailer profiles designed with you in mind. Whether you're a shopping center owner, landlord, commercial real estate broker, developer, or something else entirely, we provide the data you need to fill your vacancies with the best retailers as quickly as possible.

Has the COVID storm wrecked your shopping center? Little ma and pop shops that couldn’t survive the mandatory closures and national brands fallen into bankruptcy may have caused considerable empty spaces in your portfolio. The good news is there are local shops and big name brands that are thriving amid the pandemic. Retailsphere can help you find the right tenant for your retail vacancies. Schedule a 20 minute virtual meeting to begin rebuilding your successful tenant mix. 

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The Hometown Hero: Wicked Weed Brewing Co.

3+ locations, Asheville, NC

Set in the beautiful Blue Ridge mountains, Wicked Weed’s quirk (they once brewed a donut-infused beer) is a perfect match for Asheville, NC. After founding their original brewpub, the brand also opened The Funkatorium, the south’s first taproom dedicated to sour beers, and they now have 3 locations total—plus a pop-up wine bar. 

Serving up classic pub grub with a southern twist, the brand recently partnered with an anonymous donor to provide $200,000 worth of meals for the hungry in Western North Carolina. Giving seems to be the company culture as many of their employees also donated Wicked Weed Thanksgiving turkeys to families in need this year.

With over 25 flavors, a full bottle shop, free brewery tours, and an ever-growing distribution, this brand is growing like a weed. 

The Green Grower: Terrapin Beer Co

2 locations, Athens, GA
This Athens based brand brews 18 varieties of award winning beer (over 50 titles and counting since the brewery's beginning), including their much lauded collection of Pale Ales. Beginning as a micro-brewery by two tried-and-true beer lovers, Terrapin has grown into a full fledged tribe. 

The brewery’s newest location—The Terrapin Taproom—at The Battery in Atlanta brings a BBQ brewpub and baseball into the mix. The brand’s pub calls both Terrapin’s  five-barrel brew house Brew Lab and the Atlanta Braves neighbors. 

And that’s not all Terrapin is building. Beginning with a wastewater pretreatment facility, the brand is out to prove that the signature terrapin isn’t the only thing green at Terrapin Beer Co. They also founded Terraprint, a sustainability campaign dedicated to clean brewing across a number of resources. 

The Local Watering Hole: Wicked Barley Brewing Co

1 location, Jacksonville, FL

Jacksonville is home to dozens of breweries, and Wicked Barley is a family-friendly local gem that proves you don’t need a beer empire to become a neighborhood staple.  

Serving certified independent craft beer from traditional to unconventional (Cinnamon Toast Crunch beer anyone?) Wicked Barley has won multiple awards across categories for Florida’s best beer. 

Nestled on the banks of Goodby’s Creek, the brand has both indoor seating and a large beer garden space where guests can enjoy the Florida sunshine. The brewery partners regularly with local vendors for holiday pop-up markets and kid-friendly events. Plus, the beer garden is dog friendly. Another stand out feature: guests can arrive by water, docking at the brewery’s 100 ft dock or kayak launch. 

Missing the cozy comfort of your own favorite brewpub this year? Or maybe seeing the possibilities for one in your neck of the woods? Retailsphere can help you find the brewpub of your dreams, and you can start right now with a virtual demo. 

The post 3 Southern Brewpubs Serving Up Suds and Community appeared first on Retailsphere.

Cafe Gratitude

One more thing to be grateful for is Cafe Gratitude's gluten free menu section. Ranging from “I am Eclectic”, a buffalo cauliflower dish to  “I am Mucho” Mexican bowl, gluten avoiders will be heartily satisfied. Serving gluten free and gluten full customers alike, California based Cafe Gratitude holds 5 locations: Two in L.A., San Diego, Venice, and Newport Beach. 

The Little Beet

Accommodating all dietary restrictions, The Little Beet focuses on serving food that is healthy, wholesome, and tastes exceptional. No beating around the bush, The Little Beet only works with ingredients from local farmers they can trust, ensuring clean-sourced menu items.

Curating a menu extensively inclusive to dietary restrictions, The Little Beet sets the structure of their menu up as a type of “Build your own” dish. Start with a base, like field greens or quinoa, add veggies, protein, sauce, and garnish to design the ideal dish for any guest.

Eight of the nine current locations are in New York, the other being in New Jersey, with an additional 11th location being added near Lenox Hill in New York. 

Joe’s Steaks and Soda Shop

Visit Philly without eating a proper philly cheesesteak? It’s a crime. While many gluten free foodies have to go bunless on most sandwiches and burgers, Joe’s Steaks and Soda Shop serves hands down one of the best philly cheesesteaks, and does it on a gluten free bun. Wash it down with a speciality soda or signature milkshake.

They have two Philadelphia locations: Fishtown and Torresdale.

Chicago’s Pizza

Chicago deep dish pizza seems to be a cruel dream to taunt gluten free eaters since pretty much every GF pizza crust is thin and never tastes like gluten full pizza. At Chicago’s Pizza, they weren’t satisfied with serving the thin, traditional GF pizza to their customers, so they conjured their own gluten free pizza recipe.

Defying traditional food science requiring gluten to do its job in making fluffy bread, they created a gluten free pizza crust almost identical in flavor to the original pizza pie recipe. All three locations reside in north Chicago, suggesting there can never be too many truly amazing gluten free pizzas in one area. 

Restaurants permanently closed by the masses this year leaving many empty chairs at empty tables. If you are struggling to fill your vacant space, contact Retailsphere to map out your plans for filling your retail and restaurant mix with thriving tenants.  

The post Top Gluten Free Multi Unit Groups appeared first on Retailsphere.

Trillium

50 Thomson Place, Boston MA 02210

Stand Outs:
Local Produce
Farm-to-Tap Flavors

Trillium’s modern farmhouse take on a beer hall brings unique local flavor to the scene. Founded with the desire for eco-friendly and seasonal offerings, Trillium uniquely combines their beer brewing with their Fort Point kitchen—like their brunch-ready granola made from dehydrated, spent grains. 

Having long partnered with local growers, this brewery also recently founded Trillium Farm. Not only does the brand intend to brew with hops straight from the farm, they’ll soon serve their own home-grown produce too. They’ve also recently begun offering farm-share produce boxes available for pick up at their Canton location, where you can grab a pint to-go with your veg. 

Trillium also offers contact-free beer pick-up for those hoping to enjoy a Brookline Ave Double IPA (with notes of cotton candy and pineapple), DDH Fort Point, or many other delicious beers. 

And beyond produce and beer, Trillium also sells sophisticated clothing and homewares. A Trillium mug, coaster set, or jigsaw puzzle makes a great gift for any beer lover. 

Sloop Brewing Co. 

755 East Dr #106, East Fishkill, NY 12533

Stand Outs:
Arcade Games
Comfort Food

Everything from their punchy branding, eclectic tastes, and creative craft beer monikers screams fun at Sloop Brewing Co. Their kooky can design (their DDH Disco Dog features a pop-art style astro dog) is eye-catching, and the brewery is quick to buck tradition—for example, by brewing a totally unique holiday ale called (NO) SANTA. 

Sloop’s offbeat brand comes with a menu to match. The kitchen borrows comfort food from around the globe. Try a Forza Forni wood-fired pizza, peanut butter bacon burger, or Mexican street corn. Sloop even has a kids menu for little ones. 

And for kids of all ages, Sloop has a collection of free cabinet style vintage arcade games, cornhole boards, and board games for group play. 

With all the fun and games aside, Sloop Brewing Co. has also made a conscious effort to support their community in more serious ways. They recently created a paid internship position that will work to provide an in-depth working knowledge and education of the craft beer industry, specifically marketed to make the beer industry inclusive to all. 

Lawson’s Finest Liquids

155 Carroll Rd, Waitsfield, VT 05673

Stand Outs:
Beer Garden
Drive Thru
Conservation
Online Ordering

Beer nerds know that Vermont beer stands in its own unique category. Lawson’s Finest Liquids is classic Vermont, growing from a nanobrewery, to a micro one, to its latest expansion that includes pub grub.  Bringing classic IPAs and maple brews (don’t miss the Maple Nipple), it’s become a regional staple. 

Looking for a quick bite or a tasty classic meal? Lawson’s is the place for straightforward food like pretzels, pickled veggies, grilled cheese, and other sandwiches. Capitalizing on the charcuterie trend, you can also grab The Full Monty, a meat and cheese box filled with local cuts and wedges, pickles, mustard, and crackers. 

Home to a beautiful tap room, the brewery also capitalizes on summertime with plenty of beer garden style seating, often featuring local music. Lawson’s takes the beauty of Vermont seriously with eco friendly brewing techniques and recycling initiatives.

Currently, Lawson’s is offering curbside and drive-thru delivery of food and beer. The brewery also has easy online ordering for an even quicker pick up.

The Northeast is home to many innovative, eco friendly, and delicious brewpubs that continue to find new ways to serve their customers and keep safe. Looking for a brewpub for your own retail space? Schedule your demo with Retailsphere today and we’ll help you find all the details you need to find a great fit. 

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Food halls are trending, and we're here for it. If you're never heard of a food hall, don't be so quick to pass it off as your everyday food court. They're so much more than that. Sure, it's designed in a way that resembles a food court, but you have so many more options than your typical fast-food chains. Food halls are filled with unique, local restaurants with food made from scratch. Some even feature dessert shops, butchers, bakeries, markets, and more.

They've been around for years, but have recently begun gaining more traction. From 2010 to 2017 food halls saw over 700% growth across the US. It's our bet that it'll only be a matter of time before food halls are in every city. Below are a few of our favorites. They are great examples of utilizing retail space in a fun and successful way, especially if you're interested in bringing more local offerings to your retail spaces. 

Chelsea Market (New York City, NY) 

NYC locals and tourists alike can’t get enough of Chelsea Market. This food hall is iconic amongst foodies and there’s a reason for it. It features various local restaurants, dessert spots, coffee stands, and more that keep customers coming again and again. Oh, and let’s not forget the markets, stores, and art attractions.

The Workshop (Charleston, SC)

This unique food hall calls themselves an exploratory food court. It features six rotating kitchens and the chefs experiment with different culinary concepts. Customers are always looking forward to the next restaurant rotation that keeps them coming back for new eats to try.

Faneuil Hall (Boston, MA)

The Faneuil Hall in Boston, Massachusetts has been around for 40 years and is the largest food hall in the United States. The food hall has over 100 restaurants, cafes, bars, and more. Similar to Chelsea Market, it also has shops and is a spot for local events and entertainment.

Grand Central Market (Los Angeles, CA) 

The historic Grand Central Market opened in 1917 and has been a local favorite ever since. Like most food halls, it features a variety of local restaurants, shops, and more that people can’t get enough of. People love meeting up here for coffee or drinks. Part of what makes this food hall so popular is the community events it holds such as rooftop concerts, trivia nights, and more.

Revival Food Hall (Chicago, IL) 

The Revival Food Hall takes pride in featuring all local dining. The food hall includes 15 fast-casual stalls and even has grab-and-go options for well-known sit-down restaurants. The food hall doesn't limit itself to restaurants, either. It also has bakeries, cocktails, coffee, books, and records.

If you can't tell from our list, food halls are a big hit all around the US, but especially in larger metros. If you're looking to fill a vacant retail space, you may want to consider opening one up. They are great ways to attract local food concepts that might not be able to fill a larger traditional space.

Already creating a food hall at your shopping center? Let Retailsphere help you find those new, exciting food and store concepts to bring into your new immersive retail experience. Sign up for a no-obligation demo today!

The post Get Inspired by these 5 Food Halls around the US appeared first on Retailsphere.

Our goal at Retailsphere has always been to do everything we possibly can to help our clients succeed. The ultimate goal of the RetailSphere™ platform is to empower our clients to close more deals quickly. In general, we strive to see our clients close more than ten times what they pay in subscription fees on the platform.  It’s quite simple. If our clients succeed, they will be excited and word will spread. And, of course, word of mouth is the best way to grow a business.

So how do we do that? Well, to Mark’s point, it has required building functionality that most of our clients weren’t using. We’ve been working on it for a while and will continue to improve on the product, but it’s much closer to being completed today than in 2020.

And what is the final goal of Retailsphere™ platform? Right now it can be described in three main parts:

1. A tool that makes reaching out to prospective clients/partners as easy as possible.

2. A tool that quickly allows you to find thousands of potential clients and partners.

3. A tool that allows you to easily track your activities, automate the scheduling of tasks and appointments, and quickly report on your activities.

These are 1. Our marketing automation suite, 2. The world’s largest contact database of retail CRE decision-makers and 3. A super painless, included (read FREE) Pipeline CRM™ tool.

So let’s quickly review each of these three parts. It starts with having the best marketing platform in the industry. Not only can you simply send bulk emails, and view when recipients are opening, clicking, and replying to your emails, but you can set up (w/ only a few mouse clicks) ongoing email cadences. These multi-step “fire & forget” marketing campaigns are incredibly powerful in building new relationships. But it’s a lot more than just providing the platform that allows for this. There is a great deal of training that goes into creating powerful multi-step cadences. There is an art and a science to it. And our team is there to help our clients quickly scale the learning curve of this powerful technology.

The second part is the database. You need to quickly be able to find dozens, hundreds, or even thousands, of potential clients or partners. RetailSphere™ is the largest contact database in the industry. By a huge margin. Not just contacts for massive national brands (which we have) but tens of thousands of others as well. Landlords, franchisees, locally famous concepts, architects, lawyers, and other service providers. These contacts can be quickly assembled into shareable collections that can be dropped into pre-build campaigns.

Finally, we have our Pipeline CRM™.  Easy and intuitive software that makes taking notes, remembering follow-ups, tracking deals, and reporting to your clients and senior team members effortless.

This Three-legged stool approach to retail commercial real estate deal-making is incredibly powerful. That’s why clients are so excited about the RetailSphere™ platform. Users really do expand their networks, close more deals and empower their careers!

Contact us today for a free online product demonstration so we can show you all of these powerful features!

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