Newberry, SC
Partnering with Retail Strategies has lead to 12 new retailers opening in the market
Newberry, SC
Newberry, SC
Newberry, South Carolina, is a charming rural community nestled in the heart of central South Carolina. Situated about 40 miles from the bustling state capital, Columbia, the city boasts a picturesque setting, surrounded by scenic landscapes and a welcoming atmosphere. Conveniently located off Interstate 26, Newberry has strategically positioned itself to attract visitors and investors alike.
Rural Challenges
As a small, rural southern town with limited staff, city leadership relied on local landowners and developers to bring new businesses to the community. Retail development was hit or miss, and the city didn’t have the resources and didn’t make a concerted, sustained effort to attract expanding retailers.
Selecting a Team of Experts
“I went to an Electricities of North Carolina meeting and saw Lacy Beasley speak,” said Mayor Senn. “She talked about other towns similar to ours that were having success landing new retail through Retail Strategies and that resonated with our needs.”
Without a full-time retail economic development recruiter, Mayor Senn asked Retail Strategies to present its retail recruitment services to Council and the relationship formed from there.
“Retail Strategies proved that they had skills, ability, connections, and expertise that we didn’t have on our staff, so we chose to partner with them,” stated the Mayor.
Boots on the Ground
Newberry wasn’t initially on the radar of many national retail and restaurant companies. However, things took a positive turn when Retail Strategies began representing the city and its available retail real estate sites at regional and national conferences. This proactive approach led to a surge in interest within the market.
“Retail Strategies introduced us to conferences like ICSC Southeast, of which we were previously unaware,” said Mayor Senn. “Their comprehensive post-conference reports have proven to be immensely valuable, providing detailed insights into the interactions they had with retail companies during the event. Their feedback on our market’s potential is pragmatic and constructive.”
“Receiving clear feedback, whether it’s a ‘yes’ or a ‘no,’ is immensely valuable for both me and the Council. These reports offer an authentic perspective on our community, and Retail Strategies excels in presenting innovative ideas that haven’t crossed our minds. Their expertise in identifying companies in growth mode and advocating on our behalf has been commendable.”
Success in the City
What started as a handful of wins has grown into a consistent track record. Starbucks, Firehouse Subs, Harbor Freight Tools, Popeye’s, Mighty Dollar, and Taco Bell were among the first to open locations in the market. More recently, Beall’s, Cook Out, Mavis Discount Tire, and Tropical Smoothie have all joined the Newberry retail landscape.
“Every year our retail has grown with retail with the help of Starbucks and Firehouse,” said Mayor Senn. “I think for a small town, this is very good. We are not a suburb – we’re rural and have seen good, steady progress. We appreciate Retail Strategies being a part of that.”
“We have found Retail Strategies to be very helpful to Newberry, they have contacts that we don’t have and that has proved very beneficial. We consider Retail Strategies as part of our team – we’re doing our part in the city and the momentum carries together. They bring in expertise and talent that can really help us succeed and attract businesses that our citizens desire.”
Getting the Right Tenant to the Right Site
One of the most significant wins in Newberry’s retail story illustrates what happens when recruitment momentum compounds. Retail Strategies identified Bealls as the right tenant for a local shopping center owned by a strong community-minded landlord with significant property holdings in the market.
Once Bealls was recruited and the center gained traction, the landlord saw the opportunity clearly: she sold a two-acre outparcel she had been holding, added new parking, and expanded the shopping center by 20,000 square feet to attract additional tenants.
The right recruitment didn’t just fill a vacancy; it unlocked a larger investment in the market.
A City That Moves Fast
Not every deal comes together on paper. Cook Out is a brand that moves quickly, and when the opportunity arose, Newberry’s leadership met that pace. The available site was tight, and a drive-thru restaurant presented permitting challenges that could have easily stalled the deal. Instead, city leadership fast-tracked permitting and worked through exemptions to get the project across the finish line.
“Cook Out wouldn’t have happened if the city had dragged their feet,” said the Retail Strategies team. The deal is a clear example of what’s possible when a city is prepared to be a partner, not just a bystander, in the recruitment process.
“When we learned Papa John’s was closing, we got that information to Retail Strategies right away. They shopped it before it ever hit the market — and Tropical Smoothie came in and backfilled the space.” — Mayor Foster Senn
A Decade of Partnership
Ten years in, the Newberry-Retail Strategies relationship is a model for what sustained retail economic development looks like in a rural community. It’s not a single home run; it’s consistent at-bats, market expertise, off-market intelligence, and a city willing to show up as a true partner.
“We consider Retail Strategies as part of our team. We’re doing our part in the city and the momentum carries together. They bring in expertise and talent that can really help us succeed and attract businesses that our citizens desire.”
Beyond Retail Recruitment
Real Estate Consulting
Retail Strategies’ value to Newberry extends beyond the conference floor. When Walgreens closed its Newberry location, Retail Strategies reached out directly to the out-of-state property owner to understand their plans for the space.
“Property owners that are out of state are more likely to talk with Retail Strategies because they are experts in commercial real estate. The partnership isn’t solely national representation, but local advice and consultation,” said Senn.
That off-market awareness goes both ways. When Mayor Senn learned that Papa John’s was going out of business in the market, he immediately brought that information to the Retail Strategies team. They moved quickly, shopping the space to brokers and retailers before it ever hit the open market. Tropical Smoothie came in and backfilled the location.
“Retail Strategies talks to specific property owners, providing them with specific ideas for enhancing their properties in both the main retail corridor and downtown, and that has been met with a highly positive response,” said Mayor Senn. “I’ve found they will talk to anyone in the community that we ask them to talk to. They aren’t afraid to pick up the phone and reach out when needed.”