Podcast
Retail Retold
Hosted by DLC Management Corp. · EN
The Retail Retold Podcast highlights community retailer stories from across the country and gives a behind-the-scenes perspective from business leaders in both retail and real estate industries. The show’s episodes contain valuable insights that help solve the needs of entrepreneurs and real estate pros.
Each week our guests share stories of what worked, what didn’t, the ups and downs – giving the audience a critical set of tools needed for business success. Join host Chris Ressa and new guests weekly for amazing insights and thought-provoking stories. Brought to you by DLC Management Corp.
29episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
What was Impossible to Ignore at ICSC Las Vegas
1w ago00:32:28Tap to summarizeThe predictions that looked a lot more like reality on the show floor.Everyone arrives at ICSC with predictions. The real question is which ones survive contact with 25,000 people on the show floor.Chris Ressa and CBRE's Karly Iacono weren't just attending ICSC Las Vegas. They were in the middle of it. Between meetings, deal discussions, and serving as panelists at the inaugural ICSC+PROPTech event, they had a front-row seat to the conversations shaping retail real estate in 2026.One of the biggest takeaways? The relationship between cap rates and interest rates is no longer as straightforward as many expected. Despite elevated borrowing costs, strong demand for retail assets continues to support pricing. With more capital chasing a limited supply of quality opportunities, retail fundamentals are increasingly driving investment decisions.That reality reinforces another trend both hosts have been watching closely: the rise of the operator. Rather than relying on financial engineering, investors are focused on creating value through leasing, rent growth, and hands-on asset management. In today's market, execution matters.The conversation also turns to AI, which surfaced in meeting after meeting throughout the week. Surprisingly, the most interesting discussions weren't about corporate technology initiatives. They were about how people are using AI in their daily lives to improve productivity, make better decisions, and create more balance between work and life.Karly also highlights the growing influence of healthcare tenants in retail real estate, comparing today's medical and wellness concepts to the rapid expansion of quick-service restaurants a decade ago. Above all, ICSC 2026 underscored the enduring value of being together in person. With more than 25,000 attendees, packed events, and nonstop networking, the energy was impossible to ignore. In an increasingly digital world, the appetite for real-world connection may be one of the strongest signals yet for the future of brick-and-mortar retail.What You’ll HearWhy the mood at ICSC felt fundamentally different this yearWhat 25,000 people in Vegas signaled about retail real estateWhy retailers are doubling down on physical storesHow the return of the operator is reshaping the marketWhy AI moved from buzzword to business conversationWhat the demand for in-person experiences means for retail's futureChapters00:00 — The energy coming out of ICSC VegasWhy this year's conference felt bigger, busier, and more optimistic than expected.02:40 — Did we get our predictions right?Chris and Karly revisit their pre-ICSC outlook and compare it to what actually happened on the ground.03:50 — Retailers are spending againThe surprising scale of capital flowing back into physical stores and what it signals about retailer confidence.05:40 — Why store investment matters nowHow retailers are shifting resources away from infrastructure and back into the customer experience.06:45 — The net effective rent storyWhy tenant investment is becoming one of the biggest drivers of value creation for landlords.09:35 — A landlord and broker debate underwritingChris and Karly challenge each other's views on NOI, value creation, and long-term ownership economics.14:40 — The return of conviction in retailWhat retailer spending says about the future of physical stores and why confidence appears to be growing.15:25 — Cap rates, operators, and a changing investment landscapeWhy execution matters more than ever and how investors are evaluating retail assets differently.25:25 — AI enters the mainstream conversationHow artificial intelligence moved from buzzword to everyday discussion across the conference.28:40 — Healthcare's growing role in retail real estateWhy medical and wellness users are becoming increasingly important retail tenants.33:25 — What 25,000 people tell us about physical retailThe broader takeaway from ICSC and why in-person experiences remain a powerful force in the market.
Transcribe →Inside ICSC Las Vegas 2026: Why Retail Real Estate Has Never Been Stronger
3w ago00:22:04Tap to summarizeThe retail real estate industry is entering ICSC Las Vegas with momentum, confidence, and a fundamentally different supply-demand dynamic.Recorded live from the SiriusXM Studios at Wynn Las Vegas ahead of ICSC Las Vegas 2026, this special episode of Retail Retold brings together two of the industry’s most influential voices: Tom McGee, President and CEO of ICSC, and Adam Ifshin, Founder and CEO of DLC.The conversation dives directly into the biggest themes shaping retail real estate today, including the unprecedented strength of the open-air shopping center sector, the ongoing supply and demand imbalance in retail space, the rise of PropTech and AI, and the resilience of the American consumer.McGee shares why this year’s ICSC Las Vegas feels different from previous years, pointing to the launch of ICSC+PropTech and ICSC+Women in CRE as major new initiatives designed to meet the evolving needs of the industry. With more than 180 technology companies participating in year one, the discussion highlights how AI, operational technology, and data-driven decision making are rapidly changing how landlords and retailers operate.Adam and Tom also explore why retail fundamentals remain exceptionally strong despite economic uncertainty. They discuss rising traffic at value-oriented shopping centers, the lack of new retail construction, the importance of employment stability, and how retailers have become more operationally disciplined since the pandemic.The episode closes with a forward-looking conversation about AI’s impact on the shopping journey, why physical stores remain central to retail, and how consumer expectations will continue to evolve in an increasingly tech-enabled world.Whether you are attending ICSC Las Vegas or following the future of retail real estate from afar, this episode offers a timely look at where the industry is heading next.What You’ll Hear Why ICSC Las Vegas 2026 feels different from previous yearsThe launch of ICSC+PropTech and ICSC+Women in CREWhy retail real estate fundamentals remain historically strongThe ongoing supply and demand imbalance in retail spaceHow AI is reshaping retail operations and consumer behaviorWhy physical stores remain critical in an omnichannel worldThe resilience of the American consumer despite inflation concernsHow retailers became stronger and more disciplined after the pandemicWhy value-oriented shopping centers continue gaining trafficWhat the future of retail development and leasing may look likeChapters00:00 – Welcome from the SiriusXM Studios at Wynn Las Vegas02:15 – Why ICSC Las Vegas 2026 feels different05:48 – The launch of ICSC+PropTech and the future of retail technology11:32 – Leveraging ICSC’s scale to drive innovation14:05 – The state of the American consumer20:40 – Why value retail continues to outperform24:12 – Retailers becoming more disciplined and resilient post-pandemic29:08 – The supply and demand imbalance in retail real estate
Transcribe →The Pregame Show for Retail Real Estate’s Super Bowl
3w ago00:47:13Tap to summarizeFrom the SiriusXM Studio at Wynn: Retail’s Next Big MoveBroadcast live from the SiriusXM Studios at the Wynn Las Vegas and kicking off ICSC Las Vegas, Retail Retold stepped onto one of the biggest stages in the industry for a special conversation between Chris Ressa and DLC Founder and CEO Adam Ifshin. As Adam put it during the recording: “What is more fitting for Retail Retold to be the pregame show for the Super Bowl of retail real estate?”The episode captures the energy, optimism, and momentum surrounding retail real estate as thousands of industry leaders gather in Las Vegas for the year’s most important dealmaking event.Chris and Adam dive into DLC’s newly released thought leadership campaign, The Rent Is Next, and unpack why retail fundamentals may be stronger today than at any point in the last 35 years. Adam explains why years of underbuilding, limited available space, and stronger retailer performance are creating mounting pressure on rents across the country. He also shares why he believes retail cap rates still have room to compress as more institutional and foreign capital rotates back into the sector.The conversation moves beyond market fundamentals into the future of the business itself, from the evolving role of operators to the growing importance of redevelopment, densification, and platform-driven value creation. Adam also gives his perspective on artificial intelligence, why AI will accelerate productivity rather than eliminate opportunity, and how the best operators will use technology to scale smarter and faster.The episode closes with a rapid-fire discussion on mixed-use development, capital markets, the next generation entering the industry, and DLC’s long-term vision to become one of the largest owner-operators of open-air retail in America.What You’ll HearWhy Adam Ifshin calls ICSC Las Vegas the “Super Bowl of retail real estate” and why Retail Retold belonged in the SiriusXM Studios at WynnThe story behind DLC’s newest thought leadership campaign: The Rent Is NextWhy retail rents may finally be entering a major growth cycle after decades of stagnationHow limited new development is reshaping the future of open-air retailAdam’s outlook on cap rates, institutional capital, and why investors are rotating back into retailWhy the “age of the operator” is real — and what separates great operators from everyone elseHow DLC evolved beyond ownership into construction, architecture, and platform-driven servicesAdam’s take on AI, productivity, and why leadership matters more than technology itselfRapid-fire predictions on mixed-use, foreign capital, retail jobs, AI, and the future of CREDLC’s vision to become one of the largest owner-operators of open-air retail in AmericaChapters00:00 – Live from the SiriusXM Studios at Wynn Las VegasChris and Adam set the stage from ICSC Las Vegas and discuss why this feels like the “pregame show for the Super Bowl of retail real estate.”01:35 – Adam Ifshin’s origin storyFrom starting a business in his college dorm room to launching DLC during the savings and loan crisis.07:45 – “The Rent Is Next”Why retail fundamentals are stronger than they’ve been in decades — and why rents are finally moving.12:45 – Cap rates, capital flows and investor sentimentWhy retail real estate is no longer sitting in the industry’s “penalty box.”16:15 – The next risk facing retail real estateAdam breaks down inflation, geopolitical uncertainty and the long-term risk of overbuilding.19:10 – What separates great operators todayWhy the best teams are adapting differently in today’s retail environment.22:50 – AI and the future of commercial real estateAdam shares why AI is a productivity accelerator — not a replacement for people.28:15 – Real or hype? Rapid fireMixed-use, foreign capital, cap rates, AI, retail jobs and more.34:30 – What DLC believed before others didAdam explains why low rents became one of DLC’s greatest competitive advantages.37:00 – Lessons learned and playing offenseHow DLC scaled aggressively coming out of the pandemic.38:30 – Why DLC expanded into construction and architectureThe strategy behind Renovo and NWS — and how the platform continues evolving.43:30 – The future of DLCAdam shares his vision for the next decade of growth across DLC, Renovo and NWS.
Transcribe →Can AI Negotiate a Lease?
3w ago00:27:36Tap to summarizeRetail leasing could be entering a completely different era of speed.Anyone who has worked on retail leases knows the process can feel endless.Versions flying back and forth.Redlines buried in email chains.Hours spent drafting language that’s been negotiated a hundred times before.And somehow, despite all the technology in the world, a huge part of the leasing process still feels manual.David Saltman came back on the podcast to talk about why that’s finally starting to change.As CEO of LeasePilot, David has spent years focused on one of the least glamorous but most important parts of retail real estate operations: getting leases done faster, cleaner, and with less friction. What started as an automation platform is now evolving alongside AI, and the conversation gets into where the industry may actually be headed next.Not hypothetically.Practically.Chris and David discuss the real operational pain points behind lease negotiations, why institutional knowledge trapped in PDFs and inboxes slows companies down, and how AI could eventually help legal teams, landlords, and retailers make smarter decisions before mistakes happen.The bigger takeaway is that retail real estate may be entering a new operational era.For decades, leasing teams accepted delays, repetitive drafting, and fragmented information as part of the business. But once companies begin organizing lease data intelligently and automating repetitive work, the speed of decision-making changes.And in this business, speed matters.This conversation isn’t really about replacing people. It’s about removing friction from one of the most frustrating processes in commercial real estate.What You’ll HearWhy AI alone won’t fix broken leasing workflowsHow lease negotiations could become largely automatedThe operational cost of slow lease draftingWhy retailers are adopting legal automation faster nowWhat happens when lease data becomes actionable intelligence?Chapters00:01 — Meet David SaltmanDavid introduces LeasePilot and explains how the platform approaches lease automation.01:05 — How lease automation actually worksA breakdown of the legal logic, workflows, and operational structure behind LeasePilot’s system.03:10 — Automation vs. AIDavid explains why LeasePilot historically focused on automation; and why AI is changing the conversation.06:04 — The rise of the “intelligence layer”How AI could help identify lease conflicts, exclusives, co-tenancy risks, and negotiation issues in real time.07:48 — Will LeasePilot become an AI company?A candid discussion about where AI fits into the future of leasing technology.09:30 — Beyond leasesWhy contract automation is expanding into amendments, estoppels, SNDAs, and other real estate documents.12:16 — The time savings are realHow lease drafting timelines are shrinking from hours to minutes; and why speed changes negotiations.14:04 — Why tenants are adopting LeasePilotDavid explains the growing demand from retailers and tenant-side legal teams.18:08 — The AI pressure facing every proptech companyChris challenges David on whether non-AI software can still compete in today’s market.20:17 — What AI is already doing inside LeasePilotFrom LOI extraction to automated abstracts, David shares what’s already live today.21:26 — The future of AI lease negotiationsChris and David explore the possibility of AI-driven negotiation strategy and autonomous dealmaking.25:10 — The untapped value hidden in leasing dataWhy the next major opportunity may be using lease intelligence to improve tenant mix and center performance.26:00 — Final thoughts and where to find LeasePilotDavid shares why simplifying leasing workflows still matters, even in an AI-driven future.
Transcribe →AI is Coming for Retail Operations Faster Than You Think
4w ago00:38:56Tap to summarizeWhat does an AI-powered retail organization actually look like?Retail real estate has spent decades trying to optimize speed, scale, and execution. Now AI is forcing the industry to rethink all three.Surfaice Pro is taking this to a different level using mission-critical systems engineering to solve for issues along the store lifecycle, from leasing, through construction, and real estate. Joe Valeri, and Alim Uderbekov, co-founders of Surfaice.pro explain to Chris Ressa where AI is actually gaining traction inside retail organizations and why the operational side of retail may be changing faster than most people realize.Moving beyond AI buzzwords, Joe and Alim are speaking the language of retailers and using practical applications to make the case that the next major competitive advantage in retail won’t just come from merchandising or location strategy. It’ll come from operational speed. The retailers opening stores faster, spotting risks earlier, and making smarter portfolio decisions in real time will separate themselves from the rest of the market.The discussion also gets into the uncomfortable realities surrounding AI adoption: fear inside organizations, skepticism from operators, software fatigue, and the growing pressure executives feel to “do something” with AI before competitors move ahead.One thing becomes clear throughout the conversation: AI in retail is no longer theoretical. The question now is who adopts it early enough to benefit from it and who waits too long.What You’ll HearWhy AI adoption in retail is moving faster than most people realizeHow retailers are cutting manual work out of lease administrationThe difference between generic AI tools and retail-specific systemsWhy speed is becoming a competitive advantage in store developmentHow AI can identify project delays before they happenThe real conversation retailers are having internally about AI and jobsChapters00:01 — Meet the co-founders of Surfaice.proJoe Valeri and Alim Uderbekov explain how they’re building AI for the full store lifecycle.02:48 — Why retail became the perfect AI battlegroundWhy the speed and scale of store development made retail an ideal fit for AI adoption.04:27 — The data retailers are sitting onHow leases, contracts, and construction documents are becoming operational intelligence.05:51 — From site selection to store closeoutBreaking down what “store lifecycle management” really means.07:01 — The three things every retailer wantsSpeed, risk reduction, and smarter operational decision-making.10:31 — AI overload is already hereChris challenges the flood of AI tools entering the industry.16:35 — Retail’s AI tipping pointHow close the industry may be to large-scale adoption.20:25 — Why adoption is harder than it soundsThe internal hesitation, budget conversations, and fear surrounding AI.23:56 — The fear factor nobody wants to talk aboutHow companies are thinking about jobs, efficiency, and operational change.25:37 — Inside Surfaice.pro’s real-world rolloutHow JD Sports is already using AI to streamline operations.29:54 — Why generic AI won’t cut itThe difference between broad AI tools and retail-specific systems.35:30 — What AI could unlock for retailA bigger conversation around creativity, efficiency, and operational scale.37:40 — The cost of standing stillWhy waiting too long on AI may become a competitive risk.
Transcribe →Show Me the Deals: What’s Ahead for ICSC Las Vegas
Apr 3000:25:01Tap to summarizeAs ICSC Las Vegas approaches, one theme is expected to rise above the rest: dealmaking.On the surface, the story looks simple. Retail fundamentals remain strong. Vacancy is near historic lows. Construction costs continue to limit new supply. Capital is returning to the sector.But beneath that headline, the real conversation begins.Demand is building from every direction. Buyers have capital to deploy. Retailers want to grow. Owners with strong-performing assets know what they hold. That dynamic is set to shape conversations across the convention floor, inside booths, and behind closed doors throughout ICSC Las Vegas.Chris Ressa and Karly Iacono explore how underwriting has evolved. In prior cycles, many deals leaned on cap rate compression and favorable financing. Today, value creation is increasingly tied to rent growth, leasing strategy, traffic, tenant performance, and net operating income.Chris calls it a return to the age of the operator, where execution matters more than financial engineering.While headlines may focus on rates, politics, or broader uncertainty, sentiment inside retail real estate remains constructive. Investors want to buy. Retailers want to expand. Operators are looking to create value.The question heading into Las Vegas is simple:Where are the deals?What You’ll HearWhy strong fundamentals are creating more competition, not more dealsHow the shift back to fundamentals is changing how deals get doneWhy execution is replacing financial engineering as the driver of valueHow retailers are approaching growth with more disciplineWhere AI fits into the conversation and why it’s still earlyWhat’s really driving sentiment heading into ICSCChapters00:07 – setting the stage for ICSC Las VegasFraming the biggest themes expected to drive conversations in Las Vegas02:00 – strong fundamentals, limited supplyWhy low vacancy and high demand are creating a supply crunch03:47 – capital is building, pressure is risingIncreased allocations to retail and the challenge of finding deals05:14 – why retail is still winningComparing retail to other asset classes and where it stands today06:40 – the bid ask gapWhy buyers and sellers are still not fully aligned on pricing08:04 – underwriting is changingThe shift away from cap rate compression and financial engineering10:03 – the return of the operatorWhy execution and fundamentals are back at the center12:17 – how retailers are thinking about growthDisciplined expansion and smarter decision making13:13 – geopolitical noise vs real impactWhy macro headlines are not driving decision making17:19 – AI enters the conversationWhere AI is showing up and where it is still early23:41 – what will actually dominate ICSC Las VegasWhy it all comes back to dealmaking
Transcribe →Retail Leasing in Focus: Trends, Talent, and What’s Ahead
Apr 2300:48:25Tap to summarizeInsights into evolving market conditionsRetail real estate isn’t defined by one trend right now.It’s being shaped by a mix of forces all hitting at once.Two of CBRE’s top retail leaders, Laura Barr and Scott Schnuckel, join Chris Ressa to dive into what’s actually happening across the industry, from leasing and retailer behavior to talent, data, and the broader market environment.These are the questions shaping commercial real estate right now.What’s driving today’s leasing activity. Why space is tighter than it looks. How retailers are thinking about growth and market share. And what’s changing in how they expect to be supported.There’s also a deeper look at what’s happening behind the scenes.Smaller teams doing more. A talent pipeline that hasn’t fully recovered. And the growing role of data and technology, including how AI is beginning to shape decision making across the industry.At the same time, the fundamentals of the sector are holding up.Capital is still flowing. Demand is still there. And retail continues to position itself differently compared to other asset classes.But that doesn’t mean things are simple.This is a wide ranging conversation about where the industry stands today and what could shape where it goes next.What You’ll HearWhy retailers are fighting hard to protect market shareHow new uses are keeping shopping centers vibrantWhat’s really driving leasing activity right nowWhy space is tighter than it looksThe growing talent gap across the industryHow AI and automation could reshape retail costsChapters00:01 – Inside CBRE’s Retail Leasing LeadershipHow Laura Barr and Scott Schnuckel are shaping retail leasing at scale.02:18 – Moving Beyond Transactional BrokerageWhy the industry is pushing toward true advisory.04:15 – What Retailers Expect NowHow data and strategy are changing the game.08:22 – What Transformation Really Looks LikeFrom talent to execution, what actually drives change.15:40 – The Shift in Store Openings and ClosuresWhy both are down—and what it means.19:08 – The Fight for Market ShareWhy retailers aren’t giving up top-line revenue.24:27 – The Talent Gap in Retail Real EstateA workforce challenge that’s not going away.26:43 – Why Capital Is Flowing Back to RetailWhat’s making the sector investable again.30:16 – The New Shopping Center ModelHow tenant mix is redefining retail.32:41 – Where the Pressure BuildsCosts, competition, and the need to adapt.37:00 – AI and the Future of Retail OperationsHow automation could reshape the industry.42:28 – Why Data Is the Real AdvantageThe shift from tools to actionable insights.43:41 – Rapid Fire: Retail Favorites and NostalgiaExtinct brands, recent buys, and shopping habits.
Transcribe →No Space, No Problem: Building When the Map Looks Full
Apr 1600:33:49Tap to summarizeA disciplined pipeline and strategic site selection approach are enabling growth despite limited supplyRetail real estate didn’t change as much as people thought. The fundamentals never left. What changed is how precisely you have to execute them.Jim Lampassi, Senior Vice President of Real Estate & Construction at Academy Sports + Outdoors, has spent 45 years in site selection and development, helping build brands across Marshalls, Petco, and now one of the fastest-growing sporting goods retailers in the country. Today, Academy has grown to a wide network of 300+ stores across 21 states, with a clear path for continued expansion.What stands out isn’t just the scale. It’s the discipline behind how that growth happens.This market is defined by constraint. High occupancy. Limited new development. Fewer deals to chase. That pressure is forcing better decision-making. For Academy, growth isn’t about finding opportunities. It’s about building them. That means creating a pipeline larger than the goal, leaning into relationships with boutique developers, and being willing to do deals that require more effort to get across the finish line.There’s also a shift that’s no longer up for debate.E-commerce didn’t replace stores. It made them more important. Physical locations drive awareness, influence customer behavior, and increase digital demand. When stores close, online sales don’t fill the gap. They drop. The strongest retailers understand the connection and build around it.At the center of it all is a simple idea. Value wins.In an inflationary environment, customers are more selective. Retailers that consistently deliver accessible price points without sacrificing quality are the ones that keep traffic and loyalty. It’s not a trend. It’s a requirement.For owners and operators, the takeaway is clear. The easy deals are gone. Growth now depends on discipline, relationships, and long-term thinking.This isn’t about finding space. It’s about earning it.What You’ll HearWhy retail fundamentals still matter after 45 yearsHow Academy Sports is growing in a high-occupancy marketWhy building a bigger pipeline is critical to hitting targetsHow boutique developers are unlocking new dealsWhy retailers are creating sites instead of finding themHow stores are driving e-commerce, not competing with itWhy value remains core to Academy’s strategyHow retail real estate creates jobs at scaleWhy industry relationships still drive opportunityWhat it takes to expand with discipline todayChapters00:01 – Jim Lampassi’s 45-Year Retail JourneyA 45-year career across major retail brands and what shaped it.02:27 – Why Retail Fundamentals Still HoldThe fundamentals that still determine whether a deal works.03:03 – Inside Academy’s Expansion StoryFrom tire shop to 300+ stores and expanding footprint.04:21 – Why Value Drives Retail SuccessHow pricing strategy defines long-term success.05:40 – Retail as a Job Creation EngineRetail as a job creation engine across industries.08:16 – The Role of Industry RelationshipsWhy being active in ICSC changes careers and outcomes.10:27 – Retail’s High-Occupancy Reality95% occupancy and what it means for landlords and tenants.12:12 – Finding Deals in a Constrained MarketBoutique developers, incentives, and building your own pipeline.15:09 – Developing the Next GenerationHow the next generation is entering the industry.18:02 – Rethinking Real Estate Team StructureIn-house vs. brokers and what actually works.20:06 – Why Stores Still Drive DemandWhy physical retail is still driving digital demand.22:31 – Building Marshalls in Puerto RicoOpening 11 stores in one day and what it took to get there.26:56 – Academy’s Disciplined Growth PlanWhite space, expansion plans, and long-term positioning.29:14 – The Future of Retail SupplyWhy retail supply constraints may stick longer than expected.
Transcribe →Açai You Later, Status Quo: Building a Brand That's Actually Authentic
Apr 900:28:33Tap to summarizeA disciplined approach to product, experience, and real estate is fueling a fast-growing food and beverage conceptPalmetto Superfoods didn’t grow by chasing trends. It grew by challenging them.Hessam Shirmohammadi, co-founder and COO, built the brand around a simple idea: if the product is real and the experience is intentional, customers don’t just visit, they come back daily. What started in San Francisco in 2019 is now a fast-scaling concept with 18+ locations, expanding across California and into Texas, with a clear path toward national growth.The differentiator isn’t just açaí. It’s how Palmetto thinks about retail.Instead of treating real estate as a necessity, they treat it as a strategic lever. Location isn’t just about traffic, it’s about community alignment. College markets, fitness-driven consumers, and dense residential pockets consistently outperform because they reinforce habitual use.At the same time, Palmetto is leaning into a model that most brands avoid: no two stores look the same. While others scale through uniformity, they scale through experience, keeping operations consistent but making each space feel unique. It’s harder to execute, but it builds stronger brand connection.There’s also a bigger play unfolding.Palmetto isn’t positioning itself as just a food and beverage operator. With CPG products in development and a long-term goal of going public, the brand is building toward a lifestyle platform that extends beyond four walls.For retail real estate owners and operators, the takeaway is clear: food and beverage isn’t just filling space anymore, it’s becoming the draw. And the concepts winning today are the ones creating repeat behavior, not one-time visits.This isn’t about smoothies. It’s about building a brand that people integrate into their daily lives.What You’ll HearWhy food and beverage is becoming the new anchor in retailHow repeat behavior drives real growthWhy location strategy is about community, not just trafficHow college markets consistently outperformWhy second-generation space accelerates expansionWhy experience matters more than efficiencyHow strong brands build daily habits, not one-time visitsWhere AI actually improves operationsChapters00:02 – Introduction and backgroundHessam shares his upbringing, early career, and path into entrepreneurship.04:31 – What is Palmetto SuperfoodsBreaking down the concept, product differentiation, and early growth.05:26 – Scaling the brandFrom one location to 18+, including expansion into new markets.06:35 – Long-term visionPlans for national growth, CPG, and building a lifestyle brand.08:05 – Unit economics and real estate strategyHow store size, location, and performance vary across markets.09:30 – Origin storyHow a Brazilian café and authentic açaí sparked the concept.13:05 – Day-to-day as COOWhat leadership looks like in a fast-scaling brand.15:02 – Using AI and systemsHow technology is improving efficiency and decision-making.16:34 – choosing Sacramento (UV)Why college markets and demand signals drove site selection.21:37 – Site selection strategyWhy second-generation spaces are a key growth lever.23:14 – Differentiation in retailWhy every store is intentionally designed to feel different.26:16 – Nostalgia and retailA conversation on extinct retailers and emotional connection to brands.
Transcribe →Building the Next Generation of a Family Business
Apr 200:33:38Tap to summarizeA different background, and a different lens on retail real estateCareers aren’t linear. And the best ones usually evolve.Anya Wolf didn’t start in retail real estate. Her background was in art, including studio work, art history, and hands-on experience in galleries and education. She was fully immersed in a creative path and exploring what that future could look like.But over time, she gained clarity.The path forward in the art world is long and highly specialized. Then a loss within her family brought everything into focus. It created urgency and a new perspective on the business side of things. That combination led her to make a decision: step into DLC and understand the investments and platform she had grown up around.What followed wasn’t a fast track.She started in a traditional due diligence role. Managing files, answering questions, and supporting transactions. A typical entry point, but one that gave her real exposure to how deals actually get done and how properties are evaluated.That foundation mattered.It built a practical understanding of the business, especially around tenant behavior. One of the biggest takeaways is that retail decisions aren’t driven by what consumers want, they’re driven by economics. Rents, incentives, and demographics dictate outcomes, even when demand exists elsewhere.Now, her focus is evolving again.After building a strong internal foundation, she’s shifting outward, developing relationships, expanding her network, and bringing new perspectives back into the organization.Retail remains strong, but interest rate volatility and broader uncertainty are creating friction. Historically, that’s where opportunity shows up.And for the next generation inside a family business, that matters.Because this isn’t just about maintaining what was built. It’s about understanding it, evolving it, and ultimately creating your own lane within it.What You’ll HearWhy nontraditional career paths can lead to stronger long-term growthHow starting in due diligence builds a real understanding of the businessWhy retail decisions are driven by economics, not consumer demandHow tenants actually evaluate locations and choose marketsWhy asking questions accelerates growth faster than pretending you knowHow to build your own identity inside a family businessWhere the next generation creates value inside an existing platformChapters00:02 – Introduction to Anya WolfBackground, role at DLC, and how she got here01:14 – From art to real estateStarting in art and realizing the limitations of that path03:24 – The turning pointFamily dynamics and the decision to enter the business09:34 – First role at DLCWhat due diligence actually looks like day-to-day10:48 – Learning the business from scratchHow real estate really works behind the scenes14:50 – Accelerating growth early onThe power of asking questions and not pretending18:36 – Shifting from internal to external growthWhy building a network is the next phase20:19 – State of the retail marketStrength, disruption, and interest rate pressure25:16 – Building your own identityNavigating a family business and carving your own lane29:28 – Rapid fireSkills, retail nostalgia, and real-life habits
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