Where are our vacant big boxes?

[thetoolman]

I am working on an event/sale for which I need cheap rent on a retail-type space for a week next month. An old grocery store would work great.

Our requirements are:

-utilities, including air conditioning

-at least 5,000 sq. ft.

-parking for at least 50 cars at a time

-not warehouse/industrial

-available for at least 5 days Sept 11-16

It would be nice if:

-There was frontage on a road with some traffic

-A phone line or internet was available

-It was configured as one big open space, but other options will work

-The budget was flexible (cheap)

-The space was all on one level

-It was like a retail storefront

We have called and found leasing/availability/cost problems that prevent us from using these spaces:

-Ashley Furniture (space about to be vacated)

-Publix/Gateway/etc at Blairstone/Apalachee intersection

-Old Goodwill building next to Sonny's on the Parkway

-Old Food Lion at Park/Cap Cir SE

-Old Sam's on N. Monroe

-Fountain Plaza on Apalachee

Places like this would work, but are currently way too expensive (mostly because we need at least 5 days)

-Fairgrounds

-Civic Center

-Most banquet space

Going through this exercise has changed my mind about general retail availability in Tally. I find it hard to believe that there are so few retail spaces that are empty that we can't find something like this. Maybe the criteria are too specific, or my driving patterns don't take me by obvious options.

Let me know if you have seen any properties that you think might work. Thanks in advance for any ideas...

[Glenn]

Have you checked on the old Winn-Dixie at Tharpe & Old Bainbridge? Just about that whole shopping center is vacant.

Also the old Northwood Mall Publix and or the Laundromat that was on the back corner facing Tharpe.

Those 2 just popped in my head without giving your requirements much thought. I'll read over your list again and think on it more for you.

[poonther]

I read in the Democrat and confirmed w/some folks that work for the State at Northwood Center that the old Publix there is about to be remodeled to be used by some State agencies.

The Old Bainbridge/Tharpe Center is an excellent thought.

[Glenn]

^ Another thought...What about the old Office Max, or whatever it was, in front of Target on the Parkway?

[thetoolman]

All 3 of those are good ones. I will do some investigating.

[Glenn]

^ thetoolman, Any luck yet in finding a big box location to rent for a week??? I've been unable to think of any others that aren't warehouses.

[thetoolman]

^ thetoolman, Any luck yet in finding a big box location to rent for a week??? I've been unable to think of any others that aren't warehouses.

[psycuda]

Not much luck at all, despite the help.

16 calls, 16 rejections. Luckily - through one of the realtors I talked to in the process, we were referred to a historic downtown house that has enough space to accommodate the event. It is currently for lease as a 4000 sq ft office, and is owned by St Johns Episcopal Church. They were kind enough to rent it to us for a reasonable rate. Not as good as retail, but the show must go on.

If you know anyone with kids, come visit next month.

A list of the rejections:

-Capital Plaza (Thomsaville Rd)

-Miracle Plaza (Thomasville Rd)

-Next to World Market (Apalachee)

-Fountain Plaza (Apalachee)

-Old Goodwill building (Apalachee)

-Parkway Oakland office building (Apalachee)

-Old OfficeMax (Apalachee)

-Ashley Furniture (soon to be vacated, Cap Cir SE)

-Old Sam's (N. Monroe - ok, I didn't call, just assumed NO)

-Goodwood (booked, probably too small)

-Brokaw-McDougall (booked)

-N. Fl Fairgrounds (too expensive)

-Civic Center (too expensive)

-Winn Dixie (Tharpe, could not find agent info, too lazy to drive all the way over there)

-Northwood (leased)

-Old Gateway Store (Apalachee/Blairstone)

-Old Publix (Apalachee/Blairstone)

-Old Food Lion/Harveys (Cap Cir/Park)

[thetoolman]

Have you looked at the other old Food Lion/Harveys or Dollar General at Monroe/Fred George?