Our Why
In 2014, TED released Simon Sinek’s Start with Why. Since then, it has been a favorite and drives the launch of our blog, Retale!
So why &Access, why now, and why join our journey.
In June 2019, we launched &Access to provide equitable solutions for under-resourced communities of entrepreneurs and geographic communities. The retail real estate system typically rewards affluent communities with goods and services needed due to complex lending and brokerage systems. We’re ready to create solutions that meet communities where they are — alternatives to the status quo. Residents who hope of big box brands in their neighborhoods, developers that search for credit tenants to obtain required financing, and economic development which offer incentives to corporations can explore new opportunities.
Our vision values smaller retailers and their owners. They contribute just as much (if not more) to the economic health of any place with higher incomes and more tax revenue than their national competitors.[1] Our why does not exclude national brands, as they play a role in each of our communities, but there is a new retail reality that requires more innovative solutions to ensure everyone can obtain the goods and services needed. If you are reading this or keep up with the latest headlines - like &Access’s retail nerd, Bobby Boone - you are well aware of these:
Evolving Consumer Behavior. Customers have a wealth of information and the ability to purchase almost anything at their fingertips. A trip to a brick-and-mortar store must be unique, “experiential” in present-day vernacular. Many existing stores cannot keep up at a rate to stay open.
National Brand "Apocalypse". Unfortunately, news outlets will not let us escape the many store closings happening across the nation. The stores are also expanding at slower rates compared to the previous decade. These characteristics, paired together, leaves an even more exacerbated condition for retail real estate across the nation.
Smaller Brand Growth. Simultaneously, retailers, especially smaller, more nimble operations, are tailoring their offerings and experiences to their target audiences. This curation has enabled brands previously online to venture into brick-and-mortar and for all to expand.
What’s in Store?
&Access’s retail solutions acknowledge the opportunity for smaller brands who can continue to tailor concepts ideal for specific markets. In fact, 42% of small businesses are located in low-income communities. Our hope is to better serve customers in all neighborhood typology, regardless of socioeconomic status, development activity, or demographic composition. Solutions created for partners hope to right size the opportunity to shop and dine:
Nurturing neighborhood growth. There is a foundational need to ensure that retail can thrive in any neighborhood, including policies, taxes, and support ecosystem. In addition to consulting services, we’re releasing toolkits to help mitigate the barriers to equitable development and small business tenants.
Building better foundations. Real estate developers recognize the role of retail and small businesses in their projects. Yet, many are often unaware of options available to ensure their space works for a diverse of tenants. &Access can help mitigate risk by identifying the appropriate retail offered in each development.
Taking care of small business. Finally, we seek to connect the dots. Small businesses have limited resources to explore the feasibility of expanding across the nation. &Access offers a suite of services that ensure they can consider which locations would be most appropriate for their growth.
We look forward to this journey and hope you are right there by our side. Sign up for our newsletter, follow us on social media, or reach out directly to say hello!
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[1] “Locally Owned: Do Local Business Ownership and Size Matter for Local Economic Well-being?” Anil Rupasingha. Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. 2013; “Wage inequality and Firm Growth.” Holger, M. Mueller et al. LIS Working Paper. 2015