Retail Retold

Latest Episodes:

Behind the scenes at Image Studios Jul 31, 2025

Show notes

How did Jason Olsen take a lightbulb idea of improving salon suite experiences to a nationwide franchise with 120 locations?

In this episode of Retail Retold, Chris Ressa sits down with Jason, the founder and CEO of Image Studios, to explore his remarkable journey from running a $100M used car dealership to building and scaling his business. Jason shares how the 2008 recession pushed him to rethink his future and the lessons he learned in creating a recession-resilient, asset-light business. From negotiating leases and launching on credit cards to creating a franchise model that empowers beauty professionals, this episode is a masterclass in entrepreneurial grit, real estate savvy, and franchise growth.

What you'll hear:

How Jason pivoted from the auto industry to the beauty and real estate space
Why salon suites are a recession-resistant business model
The key strategies behind scaling from one location to a national franchise
Insights on site selection, lease negotiation, and supporting franchisee profitability

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Jason Olson and Image Studios

02:02 The Journey to Founding Image Studios

05:59 Lessons from the Automotive Industry

11:53 Building a Unique Business Model

15:56 The Launch of Image Studios

22:11 Franchising and Expansion

30:01 Current Operations and Future Growth

What's in Store - Why are specialty retailers expanding? Jul 24, 2025

Show notes

Is the expansion of specialty retailers surprising? Ultimately, physical stores remain vital for consumer interaction and brand loyalty.

In this episode of 'What's in Store', Chris Ressa and Karly Iacono explore the reasons behind the success of physical stores in an increasingly digital world, emphasizing the importance of customer experience, pricing strategies, and the discovery element in retail. The conversation highlights how various sectors, including cell phones, fashion, and home improvement, continue to thrive in physical retail despite the convenience of online shopping.

Takeaways:

Batteries Plus is expanding despite being a commodity item.
Physical stores drive traffic and offer better pricing for many items.
Customer experience and service are crucial in retail success.
Retailers are using stores for fulfillment and distribution.
The gap between online and in-store prices is widening.
Consumers prefer the immediacy of physical stores for urgent needs.
Discovery of new products is easier in-store than online.
Retailers benefit from having a physical presence in a market.
Physical retail is more valuable now than pre-COVID.
The relationship built in-store cannot be replicated online.

Real Estate’s Best-Kept Secret? The Power of the 1031 Exchange - Retail Retold Replay Jul 17, 2025

Show notes

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 reinvesting in real estate. From common pitfalls (don’t call after the sale!) to best practices and market trends, David shares insider knowledge gleaned from decades of experience and thousands of transactions.

Takeaways:

A 1031 exchange allows investors to defer taxes on profits from real estate sales.
Qualified intermediaries (QIs) are essential for facilitating 1031 exchanges.
Documentation and compliance with IRS regulations are critical in 1031 exchanges.
The best time to involve a QI is when a property is under contract for sale.
Costs for QIs are generally reasonable and vary by location.Market conditions can significantly impact the effectiveness of 1031 exchanges.
Investors should be aware of depreciation and its impact on taxable gains.
The 1031 exchange has historical roots in supporting agricultural growth.
Strategic asset selection is key to successful 1031 exchanges.
Over-leveraging can lead to challenges in executing a 1031 exchange.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to 1031 Exchanges

04:57 Understanding the Role of a Qualified Intermediary

09:32 The Process of a 1031 Exchange

14:42 Cost and Value of 1031 Exchanges

19:14 Market Trends and 1031 Exchanges

24:19 Challenges and Lessons from 1031 Exchanges

27:02 Fun Questions and Conclusion

Why Tahini’s Can be the Next Big Thing in US Restaurant Franchising Jul 10, 2025

Show notes

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 Omar Hamam and Business Development Officer Shawn Saraga, on the big plans the company has in the U.S.

Takeaways:

From One Store to a Franchise Empire

Omar Hamam grew Tahini’s from a single restaurant into 64+ locations—and he’s just getting started.

U.S. Expansion Is Underway

First U.S. locations are launching in Illinois, New Jersey, Baltimore, and Miami—with 100 planned in 2–3 years.

Fusion-Forward Menu

Tahini’s blends Mediterranean staples with bold global flavors—think butter chicken shawarma and smoked brisket.

Massive Social Following

With 5M+ followers and 12M weekly views, Tahini’s built U.S. demand before opening a single U.S. store.

Owner-Operator Franchise Model

They reject master franchises—every franchisee must be hands-on, local, and deeply involved in the community.

Built for Delivery and Late Night

Most locations are fast-casual with strong off-premise sales—and 70% stay open until 2 a.m.

Real Estate Sweet Spot

Ideal sites: grocery-anchored centers, 1,200–2,000 SF, with smart infill and non-traditional site flexibility.

Healthier, Guilt-Free Eats

Fresh, grilled, and made-to-order—Tahini’s hits the crave factor without the fast-food regret.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Tahini's and Founders' Backgrounds

07:53 Expansion Journey and Franchise Model

10:51 Store Concept and Market Positioning

13:31 Innovative Menu and Unique Offerings

16:10 Social Media Influence and Brand Awareness

18:45 Franchisee Selection and Community Engagement

22:12 Owner-Operator Approach to Expansion

24:06 Future Growth and Market Strategy

28:54 Health-Conscious Menu and Customer Appeal

Retail Retold Replay - From Contingency to Closing: How Five Below Landed in Cheektowaga Jul 03, 2025

Show notes

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 successful Five Below opening. Along the way, you'll hear why contingencies in commercial real estate deals are everything — and how timing, relationships, and flexibility can turn a near-miss into a win.

A must-listen for anyone in leasing, development, or deal-making.

Takeaways:

Buy now, pay later options are on the rise and appealing to younger consumers, and retailers are investing heavily in buy now, pay later platforms.
Supply chain challenges can vary based on ordering behaviors. Retailers who continued ordering during the pandemic are better positioned.
Five Below's entry into Cheektowaga, NY involved complex negotiations.
Possession in commercial real estate can be legally defined but physically contested.
The importance of having tenants who are committed to their locations.
Understanding the contingencies in real estate agreements is crucial.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Retail Retold

02:47 The Buy Now, Pay Later Craze

05:40 Supply Chain Insights

08:20 The Five Below Story

The Lawrenceville Flywheel – A Real-Time Case for Retail Real Estate’s Strength Jun 27, 2025

Show notes

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 success triggered a leasing domino effect that brought in over 40,000 SF of new tenants and added nearly $800K in NOI.

Takeaways:

The power of low supply and high demand and how it’s reshaping site competition
A behind-the-scenes look at a grocery-anchored center’s three-year transformation
The diverse, modern tenant mix redefining “normal” retail—think healthcare, beauty, food, and auto alongside legacy brands
How smart reinvestment and strong market forces create a flywheel of growth
Why traditional metrics like “retail per capita” miss the mark in today's environment

Chapters

00:00 Retail Real Estate Fundamentals Post-COVID

05:23 The Lawrenceville Case Study: A Retail Success Story

09:28 The Evolution of Retail Tenant Mix

What's in Store - Are the Experts Ever Wrong? Chris Ressa and Karly Iacono Revisit Their Retail Predictions Jun 20, 2025

Show notes

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, the true state of omnichannel, and why sustainability is more than a buzzword. It's a candid, no-fluff look at where retail is heading—and how close they came to calling it right.

Takeaways

The retail industry is experiencing a tight supply and high demand for space.
Experiential retail is evolving, but convenience remains a priority for consumers.
Omnichannel retailing has become a standard expectation for most retailers.
Sustainability initiatives are not currently driving business decisions in real estate.
Redevelopment and repurposing of properties are slower than anticipated due to various challenges.
Food and beverage concepts are thriving, with a notable increase in coffee sales.
Value retailing continues to be a strong focus for consumers amid economic pressures
The conversation around tariffs and AI was less prominent than expected at ICSC.
Mixed-use developments are still a hot topic, but execution remains challenging.
Predictions for the future should consider longer timelines for significant changes.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Retail and Real Estate Predictions
04:58 Reflections on ICSC Predictions
09:52 Supply and Demand Dynamics in Retail
15:08 Experiential vs. Convenience Retail
19:54 The State of Omnichannel Retailing
25:00 Sustainability and ESG Initiatives
29:56 Repurposing and Mixed-Use Developments
33:47 Food and Beverage Trends

Enjoy the show! Remember to rate and review!

Vertical Integration in Action: DLC’s Self-Storage Success Story Jun 12, 2025

Show notes

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 Columbus market, the development process, including zoning approvals, underwriting, and construction challenges, as well as the early performance of the facility post-opening. Jack shares insights on the market dynamics, the importance of data in decision-making, and the potential for future self-storage projects at DLC.

Takeaways

Self-storage has become a lucrative asset class post-COVID.
Columbus was chosen for its under-supply of self-storage.
DLC utilized in-house capabilities for construction and development.
Zoning approvals were a significant part of the development process.
The project faced scrutiny and required thorough feasibility studies.
Underwriting involved collaboration with established operators like CubeSmart.Value engineering was crucial to manage construction costs.
The facility opened ahead of schedule and is performing well.
Local market knowledge was key in securing financing.
DLC sees potential for more self-storage developments in the future.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Self-Storage Development
01:59 The Rise of Self-Storage as an Asset Class
04:59 Market Analysis: Why Columbus?
09:10 Navigating the Development Process
12:04 Underwriting and Financial Considerations
14:51 Construction Challenges and Solutions
21:13 Opening and Early Performance
23:54 Future of Self-Storage at DLC

Retail Retold Replay - Setting the stage for retail construction success Jun 06, 2025

Show notes

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, NY. The conversation highlights the importance of partnerships in the industry and how Renovo aims to build strong relationships with clients and tenants.

What you'll hear:

Renovo focuses on providing a professional approach to contracting.
The company aims to align with landlords’ and tenants’ goals.
Creative problem-solving is essential in construction projects.
Weather conditions can significantly impact construction schedules.
Design changes can complicate project timelines.
Team communication is crucial during construction challenges.
Building relationships with clients is a priority for Renovo.
Trust is fundamental in contractor-client relationships.
Renovo’s experience enhances its partnership with DLC.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Peyton Thomas and Renovo

02:58 Peyton’s journey from acting to construction

05:57 Understanding Renovo’s unique position in the market

09:07 Building two projects at once – Dick’s Sporting Goods in Ithaca, NY

12:05 Navigating the challenges of changing designs and personnel

15:01 Future growth is built by building partnerships

Retail Retold Replay - A hat trick in Lockport, NY May 29, 2025

Show notes

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 commercial real estate, offering valuable lessons learned from the project.

What you'll hear: