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Downtown Resource

Creative Strategies for Backfilling Downtown Vacancies

Downtown Guide

Creative Strategies

For Backfilling Downtown Vacancies

Are empty storefronts holding your downtown back? This guide has practical advice to help your city take steps toward filling those vacant buildings.

Don’t let vacant properties hinder your downtown’s potential. Get actionable insights to transform empty spaces into vibrant, thriving destinations.

This quick-start guide covers a range of topics to jumpstart your team.

A vibrant mix of retail and dining can increase foot traffic by up to 40% in downtown areas, leading to higher property values and stronger local economies.

01 Creative design approaches to maximize space utilization
02 How short-term leases can attract diverse businesses
03 The power of pop-up shops in creating buzz and foot traffic
04 Innovative ways to repurpose vacant spaces for events
05 Strategies for subdividing storefronts to lower costs for entrepreneurs

Get the Guide

Next Steps

Revitalizing your downtown doesn’t have to be complex.

We can help your city understand what how to get started.

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Recent Posts

Service: Retail Strategies
I’ve told every city leader that has called to ask about Retail Strategies, ‘You’d be foolish not to try.’

John Feary

City Manager

Claremore, OK

Service: Small Business Support
We are excited to have a turnkey program that supports all sectors — retail services, restaurants, traditional retail, and landlords. This platform will empower our small business owners with the tools and knowledge they need to succeed.

Andrea de la Rosa

Assistant Director of Small Business Development

City of Bloomington

Service: Retail Strategies
I really enjoyed the meeting with Laura Marinos and Jennifer Gregory of Retail Strategies! They were very informative and supportive. They gave me so much information and tips for taking my business to the next level in the marketing area where I lack tremendously. I finally decided on a new name so I will be putting their tools into action soon!

Stacy Grant

Business Owner

Youngstown OH

Service: Retail Strategies
Retail Strategies has been an incredible asset to both my clients and me in deal-making. Their folks do a great job of listening to retailers’ requirements and providing value. They’ve proven to be a strong conduit between municipalities and retailers supporting growth through connections.
casey smallwood headshot

Casey Smallwood

SVP, Managing Principal & Market Leader, SRS Real Estate Partners

Service: Retail Strategies
I would highly recommend Retail Strategies. They have been a great partner to the Hendry County Economic Development Council in our recruitment efforts to bring more retail opportunities to the county. Their experience, knowledge, and relationships throughout the retail community combined with their friendly approach has made them a valued partner in our community’s growth efforts.

Keitha Daniels

Executive Director of the Hendry County Economic Development Council

Hendry County, Florida

Service: Downtown Strategies
The thing that we really liked about Retail Strategies is that they work together with you and the community. We had to put together an executive committee that consists of some town employees, officials, some citizens and plus myself from the chamber. Retail Strategies has a very diverse background. They have people that are from economic development, they have people that were realtors, they have people that are downtown development directors, people that are in tourism, people that are in retail, so they really have all avenues.
mount olive julie beck

Julie Beck

Mount Olive Area Chamber of Commerce President

Mount Olive, NC

2025 Retailer Report

Sales Tax 150

Our exclusive report aggregates the jobs and sales tax revenue for 150 top retailers. 

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