Just a few years ago, it seemed every shopping center in New Jersey wanted a big-box store — the kind that could transform a drab strip mall into a shopping mecca overnight.
Then the recession hit, and suddenly empty Circuit City and Linens ‘n Things stores were littering the roadways like massive potholes.
Now, commercial landlords are turning to a much smaller kind of tenant: franchises. After suffering months of soaring vacancy rates, landlords are closing deals with fast-growing chains like Muscle Maker Grill, Qdoba Mexican Grill and Smashburger to fill their empty storefronts. Continue reading this post.
Photo: Patti Sapone / The Star-Ledger.
