How the Grandview Development Finds Success in the Midst of Changing Retail Climate

It is no secret that the retail apocalypse is affecting our country. Many well-known stores and retail giants have closed their doors including some popular ones we had here in the Michiana area. K-Mart, Charlotte Russe, and Payless ShoeSource are just a few of the many. Although the trend of increased online shopping is one of the top causes for the decline of bricks and mortar retail, there are still some business owners holding onto hope in the future of retail as well as in promising locations. Our local Bar Louie is among that list of hopeful retailers, believing in the success of its business and remaining confident in what’s to come – Grandview Phase II.

Grandview Phase II is believed to encompass the perfect balance of suburban and urban life. This project provides something of interest to everyone, bringing 178 new apartments and 25,000 SF of ground level retail. Currently under construction with an anticipated opening date of January 2020, Grandview Phase II will present the ultimate space for residential and retail tenants to thrive with its unique location and vast access to consumers. The South Bend-Elkhart Designated Marketing Area (DMA), which encompasses a ten-county area including NorthCentral Indiana and Southwest Michigan, is nearing a population of one million and also has an effective buying income over $14 billion with retail sales over $8 billion. Located along the I-80/90 midway between the markets of major cities such as Chicago, Detroit, Grand Rapids, and Indianapolis, Grandview is situated along existing distribution routes. Retailers will be especially favored in this area as this location is part of the second largest retail corridor in the state of Indiana. All of these assets play a key role in the confidence of Bar Louie making their move.

In an article by the South Bend Tribune, Mishawaka Bar Louie owner, Andy Knapick, refers to Grandview as, “a space that will be unique to the area for years to come.” He stated, “We opened in the UP Mall location in 2008 and have seen competitors come and go and decided that we were going to need a major renovation in that space to do what we want. We welcome the opportunity to reinvent ourselves in a space that will be unique to the area for years to come.” Their redevelopment plan consists of a new, roughly 12,300 SF restaurant and bar. The new space will be comprised of three levels featuring: the first floor with your typical bar and restaurant, the second floor used for private dining and special events, and the third floor with a rooftop bar. “For us, we learned that if you want to stay relevant, you have to reinvent yourself and adapt and we wanted to do that in order to be around for the next 10 to 15 years,” Knapick explained in the article. With plenty of opportunities for growth due to the continuously expanding DMA, Grandview is being seen as a favorable location for retailers to reinvent, improve, and succeed in the years to come.

Re-energizing a brand starts with the courage and determination to do so, and Bar Louie has placed their confidence in a place they trust to grow and redevelop their business in the forthcoming seasons. Referred to as a new epicenter of activity and a sought-after destination for the local community, Grandview is on its way to becoming an illustrious site distinguished by its exclusive assets. Grandview offers a myriad of benefits to retailers, residents, and visitors alike. Though the weight of the decline in retail is prevalent, Grandview offers retailers a new and fresh way to connect to consumers, residents, and visitors.

Some quotes originally found in the South Bend Tribune