Commercial Store Front/Warehouse ideas?

[Joe Pitrolo]

Have about 3000 sq. ft of store front space in a heavy traffic area zoned for retail/office.  I've been using CL and Facebook adds and had some serious inquiries, but the space has been vacant since a used furniture store left.  I was going to try to rent spaces for antique, crafts and second hand items, but this hasn't materialized. We also have plenty of parking, but the area of town is a little depressed and one block down from the main drag, but it is close to the hospital and local Fairmont State College.  I've been trying to beautify the space, add a bathroom, flooring and paint.  I would like to split the spaces up unless a strong renter comes in to take the entire space.  In addition, we have plenty of warehouse space in the back for storage.

  I've also considered building a kitchen so I could rent to a restaurant or adding barbershop booths to rent out.  Fortunately, we've added 8 apartments in the building, so I'm not ultra dependent on one tenant, so I can be a bit choosy.  I've also even considered adding my own business such as a coffee shop, but any restaurant requires architect plans and inspections and most likely an ancil system which costs minimum 10 to 15k.

  Finally, I am considering adding wi-fi and front desk and somehow section off or partition spaces, either with drywall or pre fab removable walls for offices.

   Any suggestions would be helpful.   Thanks-

[Ash Patel]

In spaces like this, I have had great success with CL ads.  Out of curiosity, how are the FB ads working?  I once offered a guy a commission if he could get a retail space rented.  He put over 300 CL ads out in multiple states and was successful.  He targeted a ton of different businesses, dog groomers, classic car showroom, warehouse, thrift store etc.

My opinion is I wouldn't tailor the space to a particular type of business.  Let the tenant decide and take the buildout off the rent.