Some smaller shopping centers are beginning to bounce back as new retailers move into vacant spaces.
According to the Colliers International Las Vegas’ 2012 second-quarter report, Henderson office space has a 24.9 percent vacancy rate, down from 26.2 percent last quarter, while retail space has a 11.6 percent vacancy rate, down from 12.9 percent.
Kent Midby, manager of Midby Realty, is experiencing this decrease in vacancies firsthand at properties he oversees such as Champion Village Plaza, 55 S. Gibson Road.
“I think we are at a good point,” Midby said. “I think we are at the point where we can see the end.”
Before a new dance studio, pizza parlor and salon recently opened, Champion Village Plaza, like many other centers, sat nearly empty.
“The last six months for us have been terrific,” Midby said, referring to the new businesses that recently opened.
One of the new tenants is Tyler Beach, who opened Bistro Pizza five months ago.
“I saw the for sale sign,” Beach said. “I have always wanted to (open a place), and this was the perfect opportunity to do it.”
Beach is using social media and sites such as Yelp to promote his business.
Beach said one thing that has deterred people from stopping is the perception that the shopping center is completely dead or closed.
“I hope the rest of the shops fill up,” Beach added.
Because the center doesn’t have an anchor such as a grocery store, Beach is hoping a diversity of shops with different offerings might draw people to the center.
Midby added that center officials are looking for a mixture of establishments.
“We want to offer businesses that people might use on a daily basis, like a bakery and dry cleaner,” Midby said.
So far, tenants have benefited from other establishments’ customers, Beach said.
“The salon opened up and we had a few customers walk in from there,” Beach said.
Part of the turnaround is the appeal to new businesses, Midby said.
“This is a terrific time for somebody to start,” Midby said. “A few years ago, when you were trying to build out, it might have cost you an arm and a leg. Now the rates are lower.”
Before setting up shop, Beach drove through the surrounding neighborhood to see if the area was right for him.
“There were a few for sale signs,” Beach said. “Most (houses) were occupied, which is a good sign.”
Because there aren’t a lot of other strip malls in the area, Beach thinks people are going to utilize the shopping center once word spreads about the new businesses.
“We are the last stop for a lot of people traveling,” Beach said. “We are the last exit on the 215 before people head out of town.”
Beach said that as more businesses move in, it will be better for him.
Midby remains hopeful. One of the last spots he thinks he will fill in the complex could house a medical facility.
Contact Henderson/Anthem View reporter Michael Lyle at mlyle@viewnews.com or 387-5201.
