June 2021 Updates

Happy June! Congratulations to all the 2021 graduates!  The past year has been very difficult to deal with and these kids are making history.  I wish the best for them and everyone going forward. 

I'm going to mention a few things I have announced in the past but have been buried by months of other posts but we have some new things happening in the area as well.

Also I want people to understand some things about new commercial developments.  The county does not build retail centers. The county cant make a business open up here.  These are private companies that put out all the money to make it happen.  When you say things like "They should have fixed that old building over there instead" or "There's vacant space already over there".  Well that's not their property.  Maybe they didn't want to sell it. Maybe they wanted too much for it.  Maybe that building was so out of date it cost more to fix than to build new.  Maybe the land or building was too small.  There are many factors to consider.  What if you wanted to build a new home but everyone told you to go renovate some other one instead?

Waldorf Park is the new, 30,000 square foot shopping center that's going up near the corner of Route 301 North and Smallwood Drive.  It will connect by access road to the Cracker Barrel restaurant, Carrabba's and Hampton Inn.  Construction has started.   Tenants currently signed are Chick-fil-A, Jersey Mikes Subs, Nail Trix Salon and Spa, and a Starbucks with drive thru that I know many people have been waiting for.  This will be a second location for Chick-fil-A and not a relocation.  That should help with the long lines at the current location that can sometimes expand out onto the highway.  Chick-fil-A has a proposed opening of October 2021

New tenant for the Rosewick Crossing Shopping Center in La Plata.  Salsita's Grill will take over the former Spoons BBQ restaurant.  Should open by late summer.

Construction has started on a new three story MedStar Shah medical building in White Plains next to CVS.

Fresenius Kidney Care is now open in Waldorf West behind Silver Diner at 3015 Technology Place.

Charleys Philly Steaks will be coming to the Waldorf Shoppers World behind Chipotle.  

There is a Dollar General being built in Marbury at 224 and Bicknell road. I'm not sure why they chose that spot.  That area is zoned for commercial by right.

Burger King has been added to the list of new tenants for Fox Run Shopping Center in Prince Frederick.  

May 2021 Updates

 Too busy to think of something to say!  Happy May!

Rock & Toss Crab House is now open at the Shops at Waldorf Center formerly know as Festival shopping center.  They are located in the former Genghis Grill space near Panera Bread.

Wee Bean Coffee has opened its new location at 6580 Crain Highway in La Plata.

Down at Lexington Exchange in California, MD thy are working on some warehouse flex space behind the movie theater.  I'm also told the Aldi is expanding.

Ulta Beauty has officially been added to the list of tenants coming soon to the Fox Run Shopping Center in Prince Frederick.  It will be located next to Five Below.

April 2021 Updates

 Happy April!  Hope everyone is doing well and getting some sun.  Don't eat too much Easter candy.

So I have received some information from the owner that the new second Waldorf Chick fil A will start construction April 19th and be completed in October of this year!  It is a much needed addition as you have seen the traffic trying to get into the current location.  Some improvements were just completed on that one as well.  We look forward to seeing it open.

Cool Runnings Jamaican Restaurant will have its grand opening on April 9th at the Merchants Square Shopping Center 4451 Crain Highway, White Plains.

So in an interesting move, HomeGoods and TJ Maxx are moving from Waldorf Marketplace to the Shops at Waldorf Center.  HomeGoods will be located by Bobs Furniture and TJ Maxx will be over in the former Babies R Us space by Staples. I assume this is to get them more direct exposure.  The move will come Spring 2022.  

Fox Run Shopping Center in Prince Frederick has begun its expansion in the parking lot in front of Five Below.  Tenants include Starbucks, Tropical Smoothie Café, MOD Pizza, Great Clips and now Popeye's has been added as another freestanding building.  No opening dates yet as the schedule continuously changes.  

I want to lease a commercial space. What do I need?

A little question and answer time.  What do I need when looking to lease commercial space?

I'm going to go thru the basics here not every little detail but this will give you an idea.

First if you are looking for space for a business I hope you have a business plan.  If you have never rented space before or owned a business you need to know what you are getting into.  Business plans break down your strategy, goals and costs.  You can get information on them here:

https://www.sba.gov/business-guide/plan-your-business/write-your-business-plan

The College of Southern Maryland has a great small business development center and can help you out immensely. Here's a link to them:   http://www.mdsbdc.umd.edu/locations/southern-region 

You should have this before looking at space or you are wasting your time.  

Next you contact a commercial real estate agent to help you.  Not your moms residential agent friend from church.  They need to be educated in this field.  Call me.  

Next we go out looking for a space that suits your needs.  We identify a space and its time to put together your leasing proposal or letter of intent.  This form will spell out the main points of the lease you want to have: Length of term, rental rate, commencement date, and things you are requesting from the landlord such as free rent, tenant improvement allowance, fixes to the space, etc.  

We submit the proposal to the Landlord with documents that will help them determine if you are going to be a good candidate for their space.  These include but are not limited to:  Credit report with score and history, Two years tax returns, Financial statement from your bank showing you have funds available and a leasing application that we provide.

From there we wait on the Landlord to give us an answer.  Usually there is some back and forth negotiating on the proposal and finally an agreement is made.  Then its time to have a lease drafted.  When you get the lease you need to read it over carefully.  With any legal document if you don't understand something get legal help!  Preferably a real estate attorney.  When you sign the lease you will give the first months rent and a security deposit.  Once everyone has signed you are off and running!

March 2021 Updates

 Getting closer to spring time!  Warmer temperatures and leaving work with the sun still out.  Lets hope more retailers are out looking for space as well.   #choosekindness

McKay's Grocery will be opening their new location March 4th in California, MD at the Patuxent Crossing Center which was formerly known as San Souci Plaza.  Its located on MacArthur Blvd.

Grand Opening Saturday March 20th at 13 Shining Willow Way behind Five Guys.

Another 7-11 is under construction in Great Mills at the corner of Chancellors Run and Great Mills Road.  

February 2021 Updates

Hello February.  Getting a bit of snow here and there.  Lots of new business to deal with.  Hope we can continue on this trend.  Everyone stay safe! 

MOD Pizza is being shown as a new tenant coming to the Fox Run Shopping Center in Prince Frederick.  They will join Tropical Smoothie, Great Clips, and more in a small strip in the parking lot in front of where Planet Fitness is located.

Aldi market will be coming to La Plata on Rosewick Road across the street from the Rosewick Crossing Shopping Center.  There will be several pad sites available for other users.  

We have several new tenants taking space at the Merchants Square shopping center in White Plains.  Cool Runnings Jamaican Restaurant, Dermacare Weight loss and Aesthetics and a Hispanic grocery store.  The center is now 100% leased!

January 2021 Updates

Happy New Year!  I hope that this year is full of good things for all of us.  Good health, peace and prosperity for all.  Business usually pick up a bit after the holidays.  We hope to see more great things on the horizon.  

Rock and Toss Crab House has started their renovations to the former Genghis grill space at the shops at waldorf center.   I have not seen any word on an opening date.  Guessing early Spring.

The Cove Fish Market is now open in La Plata at 82 Drury Drive across the street from the Weis Market.

Foodmi African and Caribbean Restaurant is now open for carry out in the La Plata Village Shopping Center at 114 Drury Drive.

Harmony at Waldorf is a new independent living, assisted living, and memory care center under construction located at 11239 Berry Road in Waldorf, MD.  No word on a completion date.

The Holy Hell Kitchen now open in the Lusby Town Center.  214 Village Center Drive Lusby, MD  They have different hours for lunch and dinner time so check before you go.