The practice of filling vacant storefronts with temporary
tenants is a win-win for both retailer and developer. It allows a retailer to try out a
location without having to commit to a long term lease and it provides a
landlord with an income stream while they seek a long term replacement tenant. It looks
better than a vacant space too.
I asked Mike Johnston, one of the owners of Ellicott
City Motorsports, how the mall experiment was going. He told me that, at a
minimum, it definitely helped increase exposure for his business on Bethany Lane. It also gave him an
opportunity to test market an expanded offering of apparel and
accessories. Though sales of these items have not been as strong as he would
have liked, he thinks timing may have something to do with that. He believes
that had he been open during the Christmas season sales of these items would done better. That
being said he still said overall it had been a worthwhile endeavor.
It gives the guys a place to hang out for awhile too.
