As I was coming home from grocery shopping today I saw a few new signs around town…
FOR LEASE signs.
Last month it was Basco’s Burgers in Cornelius. Thirty years in the business and then gone, just like that.
Today I saw Triple Point Biologics was empty. They were the protein lab located between Dr Tidwell’s Dental Office and Napa Auto Parts. I don’t think they closed, but just moved. According to their website they are now on Douglas, in the old building that used to be Jim’s Automotive. Cheaper rent maybe?
While discussing this with my wife she noticed another business gone. Signmesiters. The entire store located next to OK Floral was empty. And sadly, I don’t think this business moved, or sold, or anything else but just closed up completely. No signs in the window, no nothing. I remember when Tamra and Vern opened this business. They were located in one of John Hamilton’s buildings over on Main St – pretty close to where The Urban Decanter is now…. They were a nice couple, and hard workers. Their two dogs were always excited to see me. And now? Another sign of the economy?
Good luck Tamra and Vern, wherever you are. We will miss you.
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I have often wondered just what building owners are thinking. I have heard many times in the last 10 years that FG rents are way over priced, and that the owners have no problems raising rents in spite of economic conditions.
When a “nice and fitting” business is priced out of existence, and the space sits empty for perhaps 3 to 6 months, how is that beneficial to the building owners? Wouldn’t working with the business owners be a better play?
Charging a base plus % of receipts or something tangible to maintaining a minimum return for the business owner seems to me an easy equitable approach that creates a win-win for both sides.
Granted, some business plans just don’t work out, but if rising rents becomes the death factor you’d think that building owners and the chamber of commerce could kind of work together for a vibrant FG economy.
It makes no sense, I tried to rent one of the building downtown. The one next to Urban Decanteur, but the rent is outrageous for this area. The Landlord was unwilling to bend on the rental amount.