***** Delray Marketplace *****
***** Delray Marketplace *****
Finally, Delray Marketplace a 258,000 square foot “center” opened in Delray Beach at the intersection of West Atlantic Avenue and Lyons Road.
Check www.delraymarket.com for a list of stores/businesses that includes Publix, Frank Theatres CineBowl & Grille, Chico’s, White House/Black Market, Jos. A Bank and Burt & Max’s Grille.
Here’s a “call” for you guys…the Delray Marketplace will prove to be an absolute “white elephant” and a financial disaster for most of the tenants that took leases.
Just for starters- stop and think for a second…
Do we really need another Jos. A Bank men’s clothing store peddling–buy 1 suit and get 3 suits and 9 ties for free?
Do we really need an upscale candy store named IT’SUGAR where candy sells for “an arm and a leg?”
Do we really need another White House/Black Market a women’s chain which literally has stores in every major American shopping mall?
Do we really need another Chico’s a women’s chain which literally has stores in every major American shopping mall?
Look! Jeff Eats could go on and on–telling you that Delray Marketplace is just like that movie “Groundhog Day”—but I won’t.
Real simple…America’s retail-space is OVERBUILT. In this particular case, Delray Beach–doesn’t need any new retail businesses. Trust me, every one of its residents has seen it-done it.
I’m hearing that some “tenants” are paying 50 bucks a square foot…to be part of what will prove to be Armageddon.
Only time will tell, but my money says that most of Delray Marketplace’s tenants will dread the day that their lawyers said it was “ok” to sign their leases.
Jeff:
My wife and I were there this past Sunday. Most of the stores are still under construction. While walking around we came to the same conclusion as you, that this center is going to have big problems.
The new movies may have a shot, but a store that sells mixed olive oils, or the one that does blowups of your favorite photos are in for a rude awakening.
Publix, yes. But a fancy schmancy candy store, no way.
You got this one figured right.
What are these people thinking?
On a Tuesday afternoon in July this place will be a freaking ghost town.
Was thinking the exact same thing.
Monday-Thursday and Friday during the day, this shopping center will literally be a ghost town.
Friday night, Saturday Night and Sunday during the day it will get people.
My math says that there is no way most of the stores can survive.
Also one other thought.
Huge migrant worker population in the area.
See where Im going here?
They find this place and all of the folks in Bridges, Mizner Country Club, Valencias aren’t going to be too thrilled about going there.
Bad location.
Lousy population mix.
Very bad store mix.
Crap economy.
DOOMED!!!!!
Bob A:
They should just close now.
This place has no chance whatsoever.
Went to Frank’s bowling/arcade. Real low end. Not like the others like Lucky Strike.
Not good.
You definitely call it like you see it.
Wait until they start bus service from King’s Point, that will surely bring tremendous activity to the center.
Gary:
The folks at Kings Point don’t spend the kind of money that this center requires.
This is a disaster in the making.
There are a lot of high end communities off of 441 and south of Boynton that i think will support the center as there is nothing else high end short of driving to Wellington mall.
mark,
I have been in the franchise retail business for over 40 years.
Based on your comments, I seriously doubt that you fully appreciate how many people you need to sustain a center like the one we are discussing.
I’m very familiar with all of the developments in the area and there aren’t enough people to support this center.
Time will tell.
yes time will tell and there are a bunch of new zoning signs on 441 so there are a few hundred new $500000.00 homes going up around the corner to help support it.
agreed and who needs another “center”; as BobA. mentioned wait until summer when the only one shopping will be the mosquito’s
Center will be sold in aforeclosure in 6 years…
This center is dead on arrival.
Maybe the movies make it and a restaurant or two, but most of the retail stores aren’t going to make it.
There aren’t enough people in the area to support this center.
Come Summer, this center will be a ghost town.
Sorry to say Jeff but you said the same thing about The Villages at Gulfstream Park if my memory serves me correct you said it’s a train wreck waiting to happen…well the opposite has happened the place is booming and not just during season from the casino to the retail stores to the restaurants(with the exception of The Cadillac Ranch which closed and you said was great) are doing well. The place is so successful that the developers are expanding the complex to add office space, more shoppes, restaurants and residential rentals and condominiums.
I thing before commenting on how good or bad a place may be you should give it some time especially in this fickle market of South Florida.
jon g:
You better check your facts.
Most of the stores at Gulfstream are in serious financial trouble.
Jon g:
Sorry, but I don’t know what Gulf Stream you are talking about.
I’m in the real estate business and the tenants there are dying.
I also think Jeff Eats has the correct call on this new center in Delray Beach.
I’m around there all the time the restaurants and shoppes are frequented enough to keep them going. The parking spaces around the shoppes are always full. Anyone who says this place isn’t doing well is walking around with there eyes shut.
I work at Gulf Stream.
I am there at least 6 days a week.
Go to the bank, most of the retail stores are on the verge of going bankrupt.
Jon g
You aren’t the brightest light bulb in the chandelier .
The casino and stores at GulfStream are losing their shirts.
The development is an absolute disaster.
Stick with your food picks because you obviously don’t understand what is and isn’t a successful mall center.
No need for insults!!! You are right I don’t know much about malls but I’m at gulfstream every weekend both in season and out and the casino has plenty of people playing cards and slots. When the horses are running there are lots of people at the track. I walk around the shoppes and restaurants and always see people in the stores and eating st the restaurants. The place has been open for a few years and I see the same tenants with the exception of Cadillac Ranch which closed(I never cared for the place and always thought it would not last in that location). The developer is expanding with more retail, office space and residential which when finished will bring in more people and the developer wouldn’t expand of he thought the future wasn’t bright. So I just see what I see and I think this place will be around for a long time to come.
Gulfstream retail and casino are absolute disasters. Stop smoking pot.
Since the obama administration has made it so difficult for businesses to grow and operate in the US. i.e. obama care, higher taxes, business insurance, 16.5 TRILLION of US debt, high inflation, high unemployment, environmental issues and anti-business democrats. It is nice to see that someone still will take the chance and open when the economy is anemic and obama wants us all to be dependent on Uncle Sam and Komrad obama……
Any hotties at the White House I can chase after?? I did not have sexual relations with that women…..
Jeff if it wasn’t for me there wouldn’t be a conversation going. Just saying I do make it interesting…..
Jon g,
You got it all wrong.
If it wasn’t for Jeff, there wouldn’t be a conversation going.
That’s right Jeff is the MAN. But if wasn’t for us the trail ends.
Went to Frank’s theatre last week. Second rate. Mall layout is bad as is parking. Will not be back.
frankw:
I was at center on Sunday.
I found the theatres second rate. I also found the attached sports bar bowling alley and arcade 3rd rate.
The parking is horrendous. Sort of like a mouse maze. Very confusing.
The store mix is a joke. No way most of them make it.
I was just doing the math on the Orange Leaf there. Give me your thoughts:
Im thinking that the poor bastard who owns this thing, probably has to sell 125 cups a day at 4 bucks just to break even.
Orange Leaf hasn’t got a ghost of a chance. There is no walk around traffic. No office complexes, medical centers or colleges or universitys. This place is in the middle of nowhere. Those poor owners will lose their shirts as will most tennants.
At the theatre you are directed to the refreshment stand to buy tickets. You must also select seats without knowing which seats are already occupied. Our seats wound up right next to one of the only other patrons. We moved. After we bought our tickets the seller said “that’s all?” Meaning we were expected to buy a tub of popcorn. It’s Cinemark for me.
I agree with you 100% that Orange Leaf has no chance. Same for polaroid guy, candy guy and the olive oil guy.
This center hasn’t got the population numbers that you need for these niche businesses. These guys will soon learn the hard way.
This one is DOA.
Not a chance.
The sad thing is that most of the tenants don’t even know they are walking into quicksand.
Was there on Sunday.
The restaurant in the bowling alley is disgusting. The food and service stunk. As for the gameroom, our kids aged 7 and 9 weren’t impressed at all.
Most of the stores are still being built.
From the signs and what we saw, nothing really special going on. The usual stores that you find in upscale outdoor malls.
I think that the restaurants that are being built aren’t going to do as much business as they think they are going to do. The area really isn’t all that upscale and the restaurants are playing for that crowd.
Wish the stores luck, but I don’t see this thing being a winner.
You are the same guy that would pull the wings off a butterfly. can you see the good in anything??
Mike, what is and what isn’t, isn’t.
This center is going to prove to be a DUD.
Sorry, but that’ what is.
I agree with you Mike give the place a chance you never know….
This new center is a non starter.
It has no chance whatsoever of making it.
For sure a few restaurants and the movies will be okay as will Publix, but most of the businesses will die a painful death.
There is absolutely no reason whatsoever for another Jos. A. Banks to open same goes for Chico’s.
Jeff, you got this one pegged right.
Reminds me too of the Coconut Promenade, but on a larger scale with Publix and the Bowling alley. The area has developments homes that are $500,000 and sold out. I am curious to see how many of the stores fail because the rent starts out about $7000 per month on a average size store.Only time will tell.Can anyone tell me the failed stores at the Coconut Creek Promenade? Thanks
Mike,
Buffalo Wild Wings failed.
That should tell you something.
There was a wine shop that failed, but many of the shops at Coconut Creek Promenade of doing quite well. The beer garden in the back is packed to a nightly over-flow crowd, Lime is doing quite well, the new Greek restaurant is always busy, the Starbucks is jammin’ etc. Too many negative people here. Let the center fully open and we can talk about it in a year or so to see if it a success. One good thing in Delray Beach marketpace is that the other businesses can draw from the Publix customers. I truly hope all that are reading this will look at the good side of South Florida and stop bashing everything because they are mad with the world or their lot in life……..
I am not an expert real estate as some here know about locations etc. I can tell you I know some details about the Hard Rock retail complex. That is a very successful casino. When it is 150 degrees in the summer its dead because people dont walk through there. Pouring rain,(same thing) They started a few years ago with HUGE rent costs and so many places went out of business. The restaurants had alot of turnover and the ones there are way overpriced IMHO and pretty mediocre. They cut special deals to keep certain tenants there.
(Especially the chain store names that they want to stay) If they charged their original rent costs when they opened,- they place would have a sky high numbers of empty storefronts.
I know somebody who they gave a decent rate so he could stay. It is mostly a weekend place anyway even though they get conferences in the hotel, and room wise they are filling the small number of rooms they have. Some cruise passengers stay there also. The casino grabs the bulk of the green stuff. And some locations in their particular layout have much less foot traffic. Its one of those things how the flow of people go. I live near Coconut Creek promenade. A few restaurants are doing well. They are adding a high end movie theater there. Originally the city did not want any movies. Now they feel they need it as a draw. Many retail stores have gone out. Not sure how well the ones there are doing. Probably not well at this point.
The underlying problem these days is that too much of America’s entrepreneurial energies are devoted to retail, restaurants, other service businesses. Not enough are devoted to making things and paying people good wages and salaries to make them. Many of us here remember an America with an economy that was better balanced between making things and selling things. For example, my family was in the sheet metal business in NYC which used to have lots of light industry like this. When you drove into NYC you would see the large signs for Swingline and Eagle Electric and others. Stupid free trade policies, changing American demographics and other factors ruined this better situation
So today, a young person with some capitalist drive and smarts, what is he going to go into? What avenues are there for him? An olive oil shop at the Delray Market Place, why not a frozen yogurt shoppe? How about the World of Beer at The Promenade at Coconut Creek?
Sad truth is all World of Beer can do is cannibalize from the less savvy other businesses. Because sadly the America of today and the South Florida of today is not an expanding economic pie. It is static or contracting. Contrasting this with when Jeff was hitting his stride (as a young capitalist) in the restaurant business, America was a nation with an expanding economic pie so success was easier. A new restaurant was not automatically going to be taking customers from the others.
My last thought is that 90% of any economic buoyancy right now, plus the rising stock market, plus somewhat rising home prices here in South Florida is due to the Federal Reserve printing money at a breakneck speed. Doing this by buying up one trillion is US Federal debt issues each year, replacing China which is out of that game. The FR buys this US Gov’t debt by creating money out of thin air which it has always done but previously in a much much more restrained way
Scotty said it best……..Since the obama administration has made it so difficult for businesses to grow and operate in the US. i.e. obama care, higher taxes, business insurance, 16.5 TRILLION of US debt, high inflation, high unemployment, environmental issues and anti-business democrats. It is nice to see that someone still will take the chance and open when the economy is anemic and obama wants us all to be dependent on Uncle Sam and Komrad obama……
Corporate profits are at record highs and the stock markets are up 80% since he took office so I’m not quite sure which country you are talking about. Obama is what a Republican was about 20 years ago when there were still rational adults in the party
HerbK:
Obama is a socialist.
He is also a bs artist.
This sequestian thing.
Imagine you make a $100,000 a year and your boss gives you a 10% raise. You tell your wife but the next day the boss says he ran the numbers again and the he can only give you 7%. You now call your wife and tell her to stop spending money on the kids shoes, cut back on food purchases, etc.
That’s the crap he’s pulling on the American public.
Herb, what country do you live in? Were you born in Kenya too? Are you a raving socialist and encouraging your populous to be dependent on your illegitimate government? Are the free obama phones clouded your judgement? Why has the administrations back turned a blind eye to it’s best friend Israel? Has the record amount of those on food stamps made you forget your name? Does the 16.5 TRILLION of debt running through your veins need to be driven out of your soul? Finanly, don’t you care about your children, grandchildren and future generations look back to his 8 years and asking why we lost our way as a leader in this world?
This thing is going to be a freaking disaster.
Just wait and see.
this thing aint gonna be pretty.
if I was building a store i’d cut my loses right now and stop building and walk away.
I truly hope all that are reading this will look at the good side of South Florida and stop bashing everything because they are mad with the world or their lot in life……..
I agree Mike if everyone thought like that nothing would ever be built or get created.
Yes they said the same when they built Sawgrass. We dont need another mall in the middle of nowhere. Now its the number 2 tourist desination in Florida. Let the store owner chase thier dreams and think possitive.
Brandon, unfortunately you are certainly missing the point. It is better to try to suceed than let the government support you and take no risk. What rapidly grew the US business environment as opposed to much of the rest of the world, was that we were/are a nation of risk takers. We did not take no for an answer and fought to make ourselves a success. Many of the past generations grew businesses against all odds. I hope this year ushers in a fantastic new business environment in South Florida and the Delray Beach Marketplace does well and thrives. Stop being so negative and do something to help society instead of complain about everything because you are not happy with your own life.
This center may indeed wind up being a failure. My retail and shopping center development experience is about as much as the majority of the people on this board, none, so I don’t need to speculate.
Though there were a few common comments that I found curious. One, I thought the bowling alley and bar seemed really nice at Franks Theater. Especially compared to the other bowling alleys I’ve been to locally. At the front of the lanes there were comfortable looking love seats and chairs compared to the normal plastic swivel chairs I usually see. At the end of the lanes there are giant HD projection screens showing sports and other things. Also the bar seemed big, comfortable, and nice. So I’m not sure what people on this board were so put off by. Maybe I’m missing something.
The other thing I found strange were the comments on other failing shopping centers. I’ve never been to the Promenade or Villages at Gulf Stream so can’t comment there. However Mizner Park has been around now for 22 years. Does it need to be around for 50 or 100 years before it’s not a failure?
Don’t get me wrong Mizner has certainly had it’s ups and downs. The Jacobsons department store and the International Museum of Cartoon Art come to mind. Though last time I was there it appeared to be booming. The best movie theater in south florida, The Dubliner, the very popular YardHouse, and the other half dozen restaurants.
Are there places that go out of business? Yes, but that’s retail. Things change all the time. Even in the best shopping centers there are merchants who struggle.
pc,
your post indicates that you really don’t know the history of Mizner Park which to this very day is an absolute disaster for most of its tenants.
first of all, the original tenants didn’t pay rent for years in a rent strike.
numerous businesses failed, including a huge bookstore, huge dept store, huge art store.
restaurants have come and gone for years.
if you check with the tenants, the furniture store is almost bust.
the only things doing well are a hanfdul of restaurants, the other retail are all failing.
Footsie…Interesting comments about Mizner. I have gone there for the restaurants like Trulucks. Often I am there at night and I wonder how the tenants have done, Over the years I have seen some come and go (ones that I notice)
Since somebody mentioned Sawgrass it should be noted that the prime Anchor (top name stores) often get sweetheart deals to move in. The reason is to drive traffic etc. Even the successful retail outlets sometimes take years to develop properly. What oftenhappens is that once the place is a success they push out any of the independents if they have a chain store that decides they want the location. That is what happened at Sawgrass. It took many years for that place to develop. Many of the small guys bit the dust in the early years. Even still Sawgrass is mostly international tourists. if you dont have the right product and location, you go out of business there as well.
Nothing ventured nothing gained!!!
no chance whatsoever.
watch and learn.
I say a fool and his money is soon parted.
If some guy wants to open a make your own photo store, I say God bless him. Same for the guy selling fancy olive oil.
Going to be a bloodbath, but what do I know!
Jeff, thank you for this blog, it reminds me that there are many intelligent people down here in good old south florida who can engage in lively and thought provoking debate-
Got to throw my vote with the failure group. Looked at the center today. Wrong stores and crap location.
I think this center will do very well. A ton of new housing coming to the area.
Was there Sat night.
Movies and bowling jammed as was sports bar and arcade in the theatre.
like you I seriously question the other retail in the center.
A number of the stores make no sense based on location and demographics.
We’ll see.
going to be a huge disaster.
wait till the novelty wears off.
not enough people live in the area to support a high end retail center.
Was there over the weekend.
Going to be a tough hoe for most of the stores.
Parking is an idiotic layout.
I’m with you guys who think that most of the stores will fail.
The location isn’t good.
Most of the businesses currently under construction should just walk away from their respective projects right now.
This shopping center is going to prove to be an absolute total disaster.
It is in a lousy area.
There aren’t enough middle class people to support it.
The tenant mix is all high end.
No need for these type of stores.
Want to talk neighborhood deli, pizza, dry cleaners, maybe yes, but no need whatsoever for fancy clothing stores and upscale candy vendors.
Mix your own olive oil, get real.
Blow up picture stores, you can’t be serious.
Too bad loads of tenants are going to lose small fortunes but that’s the name of the retail game.
By this time next year, most of the tenants will be so sorry they ever even thought of opening there.
Oh boy is this going to be a bloodbath.
Some retailers are so stupid that it is beyond comprehension.
Let my call you a wambulance; stop whining
Was there last night for the first time.
Not impressed one bit.
Most of the businesses will die a painful death.
Not a good spot for this.
Sure hope the tenants got loads of free rent, because I seriously doubt that they would be able to pay rent and still stay in business. How in the world does a store selling specialty olive oil, or one selling big photos, or one selling $4 yogurts expect to generate enough traffic to even keep the doors open?
Just a matter of time before most of the small tenants start to feel the hurt. There aren’t enough people in the area to even come close to supporting this store mix.
Let me call you a wambulance; stop whining and go live your life without raining on others dreams…..
mike hunt, those dreams are going to prove to be nightmares.
At least they tried and are living out a dream; win or lose. Why not be supportive and not some guy that is quick to criticize those that are building America. Not tearing it down with misguided feeling of accomplishment in your own life…..
My 1st store in Fl.(early 90’s) was in a depressed, nearly bankrupt center. 5K sq. ft. space, rent starting @ $3. ft.
Was told NOT to take the space even for free, nobody has ever made it there.
Year 3, $5.6 million in sales and had to move to a much larger space with adequate parking……..
When I’ve failed, which I have, I take full blame!!
Free rent does not help when you have $0 revenue.
All businesses must have appropriate capitol to start and a solid business plan.
Please!! Get of your soapbox. The vast majority are expressing their opinions based on life experience that this place will fail. This is not based on self loathing but intelligent reasoning. 95% of responders feel the same. This has nothing to do with an American dream. It is a simple evaluation of the facts at hand.Grow up.
Frank, please tell all of us how successful you are by not taking any risk….I for one, would like to hear it. How many successful people listened to their well meaning detractors and became successful….. How about zero. Why not encourage those that are trying to build a better world and yes take risk to accomplish their goals. You must be a government worker and Obama supporter.
I am a staunch Republican and retired Chairman CEO of a major division of a Fortuane 100 company. It is one thing to take a risk when there is a chance for success and another to be plain foolhardy. Read the rest of these blogs and realize the idiocy of your statements.
Apparently age has made you a cynic…. Nothing is more dangerous than trying to give truth to those that are stuck in there ways….you arrogant SOB
FrankW (W stands for whiner), can’t you complain somewhere else? You are old and crotchety; go find someone to scream at…. You truly are a jerk!
No point in carrying on a diolog with two idiots.
Good comeback Frank. Did you kick your dog today, beat your wife or scream at the neighbors kids often. Next time you post, take your Prozac 30 minutes before-hand and you may have an original thought……I feel terrible for your children and family!
Mike Hunt,
I kind of think that frankw makes a whole lot more sense than you do and you alter ego poster Attitude.
Mike, are you a schizo?
Frank, why don’t you to The West Bank or Nigeria and play in the streets with your Klan hood?
Good one Brooks, you are so witty! How long did it take you to come up with that? Are you bedding FrankW or his bitch? Take off the ball gag and join the real world……..
Hey Jeff,
How many aliases does this guy Mike Hunt got?
Great looking center.
Too bad it’s going to flop on its ass.
Was there yesterday (Tuesday) around 3:30pm. Not a soul around.
Going to be a huge mess.
To all you nay sayers, give the place a chance. For us FULL TIME residents who cannot ever find parking downtown Delray during season or get into a restaurant at a decent hour maybe this will work for US…too soon to tell..But I wish them all the best.
Pat
Don’t you worry. There will be plenty of parking because other than you and a few others nobody is going to go there.
I come down on the side of FAILURE for most of the small retailers.
There won’t be enough traffic.
That photo store and olive oil store are going to be the first casualties, for sure, I think!
who cares what you ‘people’ say…no one!!
I really feel sorry for the small stores that are going to get killed here. Maybe if they had a blog like this before they took a lease they would have thought better and not got involved.
The yogurt guy probably has to sell 200 yogurts a day at 4 bucks each just to break even.
The photo guy, no chance. No one needs the crap he’s selling.
The olive oil guy dead on arrival.
The candy store. Yeah right at 14 bucks a lb.
The list goes on and on.
Finally, wait till the migrant workers start hanging out there.
jeff, went to the movies there last sunday for a 7pm show, in addition to mine only 2 others were sold.
this center is doomed.
Ate pizza at movie’s sports bar.
Horrendous.
Went to Grand Opening Event today.
Very poorly run.
This center is going to prove to be a huge disaster.
The store mix is lousy.
I can just imagine how dead this center will be in June-August.
There today in the blazing heat and sun. So disappointed in the architectural design. No shade at all. This should have been designed with a loggia running the length of each street w overhead fans like Mizner Park shops & City Place. Metal benches in full sun are unusable.This will be a ghost town in the summer. The amphitheater is tiny and no shade. No way u can walk around to the shops. How will these stores survive? It is not too late to fix this. We had such hopes for a local S/C.
First time today.
What a horrendous mouse maze.
Other than Publix and a few others most of the stores have no chance of making it.
Photo , yogurt, olive oil, candy are just wasting time.
Too bad.
Oh well not my monry
They call this a Grand Opening!
I’ve been to 3 year old birthday parties that had more going on.
What a cheap crappy setup.
Huge disappointment.
If this the best the developer can do what a mess.
Forget about this shopping center.
It’ll soon be in receivership.
What fools!
To the Polaroid store owner, man what were you smoking?
So true this “Candy Store” is really a rip off. I spent $36.00 on candy and afterwards i said what am i crazy!!! i would never do it again. Ok its nice for kids once in a while, but we are all trying to prevent our children from eating too much of that sugar….
Jeff:
This past Saturday the center had a Grand Opening which they advertised pretty heavily.
I went to the center around 2pm and the Grand Opening was an absolute joke.
Won’t even go into it but it was pitiful.
As for the center itself, this is going to be a big train wreck.
The store mix stnks.
Other than a couple of stores there aren’t any that any one really needs or could give a damn about.