Corner of Main & Main
If you want to call this the "new normal" (a vastly over-used term since the pandemic), it would be TBD. Once thing though is certain, we have witnessed a shift in retail growth, moving away from traditional goods toward a greater emphasis on services. This transformation reflects
Nostalgic Retail Series
ShowBiz Pizza Place has a really interesting beginning and a fate which lives on through Chuck E. Cheese. Wikipedia summed it up best: "Atari co-founder Nolan Bushnell, responsible for creating the first widely recognized video game, Pong, headed a project in the mid-1970s for Atari to launch
Corner of Main & Main
Experiential retail has emerged as the strategic tool for brick-and-mortar stores to attract and retain customers and combat the convenience of e-commerce. By creating immersive and engaging experiences, retailers can drive foot traffic, increase dwell time, and ultimately boost sales. But, there are downsides to this focus
Nostalgic Retail Series
Founded in 1983 in St. Cloud, Minnesota by Roe Hatlen and C. Dennis Scott, Old Country Buffet quickly became a staple in the American dining scene. Hatlen and Scott leveraged their experience from International King’s Table to create a buffet-style operation that was both economical and appealing to
Restaurant
Go ahead...say it. This is a hotel chain, not a restaurant chain. Well, you are partially correct. Howard Deering Johnson opened the first Howard Johnson's restaurant in Quincy, Massachusetts in 1925. "The first Howard Johnson's restaurant received a tremendous boost in 1929, owing to
Restaurant
From over 100 locations in 17 states to 5 locations in Florida, here is the Po' Folks' story: Founded in 1975 in Anderson, South Carolina by Malcolm Hare, the American family restaurant chain's name was inspired by the 1961 song of the same name by Bill
Corner of Main & Main
The Resilience of Off-Price Retail: Thriving Amid Economic Uncertainty As we navigate through a period marked by economic uncertainty, one retail segment has consistently demonstrated its ability to weather the storm: off-price retail. Despite challenges faced by traditional retailers, off-price giants like The TJX Companies, Inc. , Ross
Nostalgic Retail Series
Lum's was founded in 1956 in Miami Beach, Florida by Stuart and Clifford Perlman when they purchased Lum's hot dog stand for $10,000. "Lum's began aggressively expanding and franchising; the signature item was hot a hot dog steamed in beer." [Wikipedia]
Nostalgic Retail Series
Founded in 1989 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Lone Star Steakhouse & Saloon quickly became a prominent player in the casual dining steakhouse market. Under the leadership of Jamie B. Coulter, the chain experienced rapid expansion in the early 1990s. Key milestones: * 1992: Went public with 8 restaurants * Mid-90s:
Corner of Main & Main
I know. WTF does this have to do with commercial real estate, retail or the consumer? Well, let me explain, taking inspiration from a post by @mattschnuck Matt identified this Picasso sketch as Steve Jobs’ favorite piece of art. Why? Simplicity can take more time than complexity. Simplicity scales much
Nostalgic Retail Series
Founded in Portland, Oregon in 1963 by Bob Farrell and Ken McCarthy, this chain of ice cream parlors and sandwiches was know for it early 1900's theme (including employee uniforms) and the famous player piano at each location. Purchased by Marriott Corporation in 1975, Farrell's grew
Restaurant
Founded in Richfield, Minnessota in 1976, Chi-Chi's was founded by Marno McDermott and former Green Bay Packer, Max McGee. Marno's wife carried the nickname Chi Chi which is why the Mexican restaurant was so-named. It was known as the first Mexican-inspired restaurant chain.