Shopping and dining in Atlanta looks vastly different than this time last year due to the COVID-19 outbreak, but owners, developers, investors and retailers alike remain optimistic about the metro area’s prospects.
Many local retail professionals say barring another outbreak or a second black swan event, the worst of the recession is in the rearview mirror and the Atlanta market is currently on a positive trajectory, though the market is experiencing negative absorption from over-leveraged national retailers shuttering stores, as well as local and regional operators that are struggling to regain their footing.
…
As far as active categories that are attempting to expand in Atlanta, Monetha Cobb, senior vice president of Franklin Street, says that some service-based retail categories and restaurants are seizing opportunities left and right.
“In the past six months, one area where we’ve seen substantial activity is health- care retail, including in urgent care and physical therapy facilities, and even veterinary clinics,” says Cobb. “In addition, we are seeing a lot of activity in single-tenant outparcel types of uses, such as oil change businesses and fast food concepts, as well as food concepts that have traditionally been deemed more ‘to-go.’ We’re also still seeing a lot of the more traditional junior box retailers taking advantage of the influx of larger box availability due to bankruptcies.
