Caton Commercial

Tenant Representation

Experiential Chicago Retail: Pour the beer, walk the wine

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As the retail shopping center industry continues to embrace experiential concepts, such as restaurants, entertainment, wellness and fitness concepts as a driving force behind their merchandising mix, a similar transformation has moved into the Chicago suburban restaurant scene. New tech-forward concepts, designed to engage the consumer at every turn, are being introduced to enhance the dining experience.  These experiential enhancements bring a highly customized approach to meal selection, ordering– and even pouring craft beer.

One example is Tapville Social, a creative Chicago suburban restaurant concept that has become an integral part of the downtown social scene in west suburban Naperville and Elmhurst. With an engaging backdrop of self-serve beer and wine stations, customers drive the dining experience, from the swipe of a credit card to an IPad ordering system to free pouring craft beer.  Entertainment is also on the menu in the form of trivia nights and other engaging social activities. The experience is highly customer-driven and focused on efficiency — less waiting time for food and drinks, more time to socialize.

Tapville Social Expands: Rosemont and Beyond

This American-food themed restaurant concept has caught on quickly, prompting expansion plans that will take Tapville Social to select markets nationally. The concept is also expanding to reach other slices of their key demographic (30 to 49-year olds with $100K income and above).

One new segment is the high traffic retail shopping and convention scene. A kiosk “sip and shop” approach will debut soon. Customers can pour a beverage and go, sipping as they shop. The focus is on safe, responsible consumption in a family-friendly environment. Look for expansion to convention sites in the near future, as well.

To satisfy investors’ appetites to tap into this important demographic, both concepts are also being offered as restaurant franchise opportunities as well.

The Big Picture: Chicago Suburban Restaurants

The Illinois restaurant scene is a $30.1 billion industry in Illinois, with some 25,000 eating and drinking establishments and growing, according to the Illinois Restaurant Association. In an industry that strives to always stay relevant, new Chicago suburban restaurant concepts such as Tapville Social are keeping the industry in the forefront of consumer trends.

According to Restaurant Hospitality, nearly one in three Americans prefers a restaurant dining establishment that has food, drinks and activities.  And, 24% want more “eatertainment” venues. This all bodes well for creative concepts that can keep consumers engaged — and returning for more.

For the latest on Tapville Social’s expansion plans, contact Nick O’Donnell or Christina Caton Kitchel. As the exclusive master tenant representation team, they are actively looking for high traffic retail shopping sites to support this expansion.

Is There a Benefit to Using Commercial Tenant Representation?

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Is There a Benefit to Using Commercial Tenant Representation?

Trying to find a space to lease can be really tough. Finding the perfect space to lease can be close to impossible. While you might think this is something that only you, as the business owner, can do, it could be worth asking yourself, “Is there a benefit to using commercial tenant representation?”

Make no mistake, the answer to that is an absolute YES! Tenant brokers will not only stand with you, they will stand for you during negotiations. Their endurance and expertise in the commercial real estate market will earn not only your respect but the landlords’ as well. There is no question–you want someone like that in your corner the next time you are looking for space to lease.

Think of it this way. Having a tenant broker is like having a negotiator, data analyst, market expert, and property manager all rolled into one -and working only for you.

If that isn’t enough to convince you, here are some more reasons:

Real Estate is Complicated

For the normal person, not involved in real estate on a day-to-day basis, commercial real estate is a complex industry and few people outside of industry professionals understand all the jargon and can navigate the intricacies involved, whether buying, leasing, or co-working.

To do what is best for your company, to find the perfect space, to evaluate your needs vs. wants, and to have someone to negotiate with your best interest in mind, hiring a tenant broker is essential.

Gives You the Gift of Time

Hiring a tenant broker gives you the gift of time. Time to focus on your business. Time to get things done. Time to direct your employees instead of spending all your time trying to learn the finer points of commercial real estate and -you can admit it here, to yourself -not doing a very good job of it.

Congratulations–you’re normal. You know your business inside and out and can do what needs to be done in half the time of anyone else and it suffers when your focus isn’t there. Let a tenant broker do the same for your business on the real estate end.

They know their business, too. They can use a needs assessment to determine if leasing or buying is better for your business. And, they know the market, the region, towns, and neighborhoods. Putting your trust in their knowledge, skills, and ability to negotiate will be one of the best things you do for yourself and your business in a long time.

Negotiate the Deal, Terms

Not only do landlords respect tenant brokers enough to actually return their phone calls, they respond differently in negotiations than if you went in alone. Tenant brokers know the lingo, the game and are rarely fooled, making it much easier for you to walk away from the negotiating table with a lease that you are happy with.

Get in Touch Today

Call us at Caton Commercial Real Estate  today and let’s set a time to meet and discuss your needs. We are always looking out for the interests of our clients and love finding the right spaces for the right company.

Cousins Subs First Chicago Location Opens in the Loop

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Caton Commercial brokers, Brian Blackmore and Nick O’Donnell, represented Cousins Subs  franchisees Dr. Amit and Kalpesh Patel of OM Group in the lease of their first Chicago location. The 2,600 SF location at 120 W. Madison Street in the Loop is now open for business. Cousins Subs has plans to continue its expansion with 40 locations in Chicago and the suburbs over the next several years.

Cousins Subs is a Wisconsin-based chain that serves quality made to order grilled and deli-fresh subs on freshly baked bread to “Dairy Land” classics including cheese curds.. YUM!   Congratulations to all involved on the first of many store openings!

Bulldog Ale House Opens 6th Location in Rolling Meadows

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Caton Commercial Real Estate Group tenant Bulldog Ale House  has opened its 6th location at 1480 Golf Rd. in Rolling Meadows, Illinois.

The 6,000 SF  building, previously a Chili’s restaurant, was completely renovated to modernize the appearance and add seating. New ownership also added two patios with outdoor fireplaces. The inside of the restaurant features garage doors that open onto the patios, ecelectic multi-tone wood walls, and a copper bar front. In addition to indoor seating choices, which include spacious booths, tables, and high-top table, Bulldog patrons can drink and dine outside on both patios.

“Owner Matt Ahmeti chose this location because of the many great offices in the area, and opened up to large success with businesses people going out for lunch and dinner,” sas tenant representatives Steve Caton, CCIM  and  Nick O’Donnell.

The Rolling Meadows Bulldog Ale House    joins  five other  locations in the Chicagoland area including Roselle, Carol Stream, New Lenox, North Aurora, and Bolingbrook.  Soon to join the suburban locations, two new Bulldog Ale Houses will open downtown Chicago in Loyola and on State Street.