Pequot’s empty retail buildings showcased
On a positive note, three retail buildings available in Pequot Lakes filled before a scheduled tour of empty buildings Thursday, Feb. 24, and were scratched from the list. The Business Connect group and chamber organized the tour with the city of Pequot Lakes as a way to work together to positively promote the city and build community spirit.
Kimberly Ziesemer, Business Connect chair, said addressing the city’s empty retail locations was a goal that group identified for the year.
The overall goal is to fill those spaces and make Pequot Lakes vibrant and a destination.
Last summer, a Business Connect committee brought together landlords of empty retail buildings and asked them about their concerns and what the city could do to help. That led to the idea for a tour of the empty spaces to showcase what buildings are available.
“This isn’t the end of it,” Ziesemer said. “This is just a start.”
A map was created showing about 20 retail spaces that are available in Pequot Lakes, as well as retail stores that are for sale. The night of the tour, landlords or Realtors staffed those locations to answer people’s questions.
Spaces that recently filled include one in the Jack Pine Center and two on Government Drive, south of Pfeiffer Pharmacy.
Cathy Hughes, who plans to open The Tiki Room restaurant next month in the Jack Pine Center, rented an additional spot for a boutique to sell Polynesian items found in The Tiki Room.
