Malls lure new types of tenants

Richmond’s mall operators are less choosy in selecting tenants now, and that’s helped them boost occupancy compared to six months ago. Some have added stores like nail salons, dollar stores, and tattoo shops.

In April, BizSense counted empty storefronts at six area shopping malls, and found that about 15 percent of the storefronts at malls around the region were vacant. Read more

A slew of new shops in Short Pump

A handful of new retailers have recently opened their doors around the Short Pump area. HomeGoods opened Sunday morning at West Broad Village. The highly-anticipated discount home accessories retailer was packed with eager shoppers through the afternoon.

Teavana, a highly-specialized retailer carrying over 100 kinds of teas from around the world, including India, Nepal and Japan, has opened on the lower level of Short Pump Town Center, near Firebird’s. The store also carries a variety of teapots and other related products.

Crazy 8, a new concept from children’s retailer Gymboree, has also recently opened in the mall, offering discount children’s clothing and accessories.

A third new tenant at Short Pump Town Center is Fast-Fix Jewelry & Watch Repairs, offering watch and jewelry repair, cleaning and battery replacement, plus key duplication and other services.

Electronics retailer hhgregg will be the next new tenant at the mall, scheduled to open around Thanksgiving in the former Circuit City outparcel next to Chipotle.

This article orginal appeared on DowntownShortPump.com, an RBS news partner.

With new businesses, The Shoppes At Westgate fully leased

While many Short Pump shopping centers have lost tenants due to the recession and many businesses have closed their doors, one center is completely leased out. Thalhimer Commercial Real Estate leasing representative Jim Ashby says The Shoppes At Westgate at Broad and Lauderdale is welcoming a host of new tenants. Read more

Two Short Pump businesses close

Two Short Pump businesses have shuttered their doors in the past week. Salsarita’s Fresh Cantina,  on Nuckols Road in Twin Hickory Town Center, closed last week. No reason was given for the closure, but the location never seemed to attract the crowd that nearby Nonna’s Pizzeria or Tropical Smoothie Cafe does. This was the only location in Richmond.

Dream Dinners, across from Short Pump Town Center in the Promenade Shops, closed their doors this past week as well. The store allowed groups to come in and prepare dinner entrees to freeze and serve to their families later. A location on Southside near Woodlake remains open.

The Short Pump location will remain only as a pickup service inside the neighboring Daily Grind Coffeehouse & Cafe.

This story orginally appeared at DowntownShortPump.com, an RBS news partner.

Another Circuit City location gets new lease on life

The former Short Pump Circuit City, soon to house an hhgregg electronics store, isn’t the only one in the area to come back to life. Read more

Retail vacancy continues to rise

There are more storefronts in Richmond than ever before; the problem is that more of them are also empty. Commercial real estate brokers say that could mean banks might soon start taking back some retail properties if tenants don’t start signing leases.

The metro area’s retail vacancy rate rose to 6.9 percent in the second quarter, up from 5.5 percent a year ago, according to Thalhimer’s recent market report. And that most recent figure is up from 6.2 percent in the first quarter of this year. Read more

Two Short Pump restaurants close their doors

Two restaurants in Short Pump have closed their doors over the past week. The first, That’s BS: Burgers & Sports, which opened just a few months ago in the old Ham’s location at Broad and Springfield, couldn’t survive the recession. A sign posted on the front door this past weekend says it all:

“That’s BS: Burgers & Sports is closing its’ doors due to the economic climate. We truly appreciate your patronage and wish you the best. Thanks.”

The second to close is Paradise Pizza. Although not an entirely new restaurant, it was originally the West End Bottoms Up Pizza location, situated next to Bruster’s Ice Cream in the Town Center at Twin Hickory shopping center but still run by the same owners and management.

Owner James Jones recently broke ties as a franchise of the Shockoe Bottom location after repeated customer comments that the Short Pump location’s pizza wasn’t held in the same regard as the original restaurant, despite the fact that, according to Jones, all pizza ingredients used were identical. There’s no official word on the reason for Paradise Pizza’s closing, but the restaurant didn’t ever seem to draw a crowd since the name and food change.

There’s no word on if or when any new businesses will occupy the space in either building.

This story orginally ran on Downtown Short Pump, a partner of Richmond BizSense.

Dave & Buster’s to debut at West Broad Village

Dave & Buster’s, a restaurant chain based in Dallas, is opening their first Virginia location at West Broad Village in Short Pump. The grand opening is scheduled for April 20.

The new restaurant will employ about 150 people

The driving concept behind Dave & Buster’s is their “Million Dollar Midway” which features video games, racing simulators, skeeball, and other interactive amusements. The arcade is geared towards grown ups, children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

The 16,000-square-foot location is the chain’s 53rd.  It features private rooms for parties and corporate events. The original Dave & Buster’s opened in Dallas in 1982 and the company has a net worth of $100 million according to their website.

Pizza turnover in Short Pump

There are two new pizza joints on scene in Short Pump. This past week, eco-friendly chain Pizza Fusion opened a location at Short Pump Station near Trader Joe’s. The company prides itself on using organic ingredients and earth-friendly suppliers. Meanwhile, the Bottom’s Up on Nuckols Road changed hands. Read more

Foster’s Grille Closed, New Irish Pub To Take Place

Burger joint Foster’s Grille at the Shoppes At Innsbrook has closed. Open for only about a year, the Innsbrook location had a big lunchtime crowd, but didn’t seem to have many customers for dinner.  The spot won’t stay vacant for long, though. Read more

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