Category: Retail News

Simmons Tower Lobby Perks Up

Posted on 11/29/22

Things are perking up in the lobby of Simmons Tower. Italian Coffee Corner opened in early November, and it is quickly becoming a regular stop for a morning boost, lunch, or an afternoon pick-me-up.

Owners, Bruno Muskaj and wife, Yuliia Kornytska had just opened Coffee Corner in Maumelle when they learned about lobby space available in Simmons Tower. Brooke Miller and Brandon Sheard of Kelley Commercial Partners met with the couple and showed them the space in the southeast corner of the lobby. The couple decided to go for it and open a second location. They placed their order for another Italian-made Lavazza espresso machine and waited three months for its arrival. The Lavazza finally arrived, and she is a beauty! With Bruno in charge and using Lavazza’s 100 percent Arabica beans, the results are smooth, rich, and oh, so gratifying.

Yuliia and Bruno met while working on a cruise ship and dreamed of opening a coffee shop of their own. They were about to open one in Saranda, Albania when Covid hit and a friend asked them for help in his restaurant in Arkansas. Arkansas? Bruno grew up in Albania and never thought he could live away from the sea, but when he saw Arkansas, he loved it. “It’s beautiful here. Lots of trees. Plenty of water,” Bruno said.

Bruno Muskaj, co-owner of Italian Coffee Corner

Bruno’s love for coffee began at a very early age when his Italian grandmother showed him how to make espresso. His favorite drink is the ristretto, which is a concentrated, short espresso shot. Yuliia’s Ukrainian roots influence the pastries they serve — buttery, flakey, and delicious.

Now with two shops, Yuliia manages the very busy Maumelle location while Bruno manages the downtown shop. Bruno prefers being in the center of the city with lots of activity. Their menus differ slightly but both offer plenty of options ranging from the crowd-favorite chocolate danishes to savory sandwiches served on their freshly baked, buttery croissants.

So, next time you’re downtown and need a little something to get you going, visit the Italian Coffee Corner in Simmons Tower. They’re open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.* Coffee Corner in Maumelle is open Monday through Saturday from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Sundays from 8 a.m. to noon.

* Hint: If you don’t happen to work in or near Simmons Tower, the southeast entrance nearest the intersection of 6^th and Spring Streets will lead you directly to Italian Coffee Corner. Metered parking is almost always available on 6^th St.

Tenant Estoppel Certificates

Posted on 11/08/22

Are you a tenant? A landlord thinking about selling? Or an investor looking to buy a leased property? If you have answered “yes” to any of these questions, it is important that you understand what a tenant estoppel certificate is and the benefits and protections it offers.

What is a tenant estoppel certificate?

A tenant estoppel certificate is a legally binding document signed by a tenant verifying the current status and terms of a lease and specifying any modifications to the original agreement, defaults by the landlord, or other issues relating to the lease. Typically, an estoppel certificate is requested by the landlord as part of the due diligence process before closing on the sale of a property. This statement of facts regarding the lease and the premises estops either party from making a claim that contradicts those facts post transaction.

If you lease, own, or want to purchase a tenant-occupied property, it’s important to understand how a Tenant Estoppel Certificate can protect you.

Most commercial real estate lease agreements include a provision requiring a tenant to complete an estoppel certificate within a specified amount of time after receiving the Landlord’s request. However, only a landlord wishing to sell or refinance the property would request the estoppel. If a lease does not have a provision requiring a tenant to complete an estoppel certificate, it is in the best interest of the tenant to carefully review and complete the estoppel certificate to verify all pertinent lease information.

Why sign a tenant estoppel certificate?

From the tenant’s perspective, an estoppel certificate informs and certifies to the purchaser of the property (i.e., the new landlord under the lease) and, in the event of financing, the lender of any existing issues they will need to address after closing. For lenders and purchasers, the estoppel certificate verifies information presented by the landlord regarding the tenant, the premises, and certain material terms of the lease, which helps prevent any costly surprises after closing.

As a full-service commercial real estate firm, Kelley Commercial Partners provides landlord and tenant representation. And no matter which side we represent, we are committed to successfully guiding you through the process from the beginning through closing. For all your commercial real estate needs, let us be your partner to success.

Stretch Zone Opens in West Cantrell Plaza

Posted on 06/28/22

Stretch. Work. Play. Repeat. That is the mantra at Stretch Zone, a practitioner-assisted stretching facility that recently opened its first Arkansas location in West Cantrell Plaza at 14300 Cantrell Rd. in Little Rock.

Blake Mack, the general manger of the new West Little Rock location explains practitioner-assisted stretching as “a life-changing stretch experience that can provide clients with immediate relief from muscle pain and tension, improve pain-free range of motion, and enhance physical and athletic skills.” And the best part is, you see results from day one. Mack described his session with a client recently saying, “I had to remove her socks when we first began because she could not bend over to do that herself, but by the time we were done, she was putting on her own socks!” That’s a fairly impressive accomplishment after a single session.

Stretch Zone uses a patented strapping system and proprietary tables that position, stabilize, and isolate muscles.

Stretch Zone uses a patented strapping system and proprietary tables that position, stabilize, and isolate muscles, allowing practitioners to provide a unique stretching experience that simply cannot be accomplished at home. This unique approach is designed to help just about anyone, from professional athletes to those recovering from surgery, and even a completely unconditioned person with very limited mobility.

All Stretch Zone practitioners receive hands-on training and are certified by the National Board of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork, which means you are always in good hands. They work with professional sports teams in the NBA and the NFL. Stretch Zone services are also included in some of the best spas around the world, from Miami, to New York City, to Italy. And if you’re looking to improve your golf swing, Stretch Zone has you covered. They work closely with Palm Beach Gardens, the PGA National Resort and Spa!

Stretch Zone’s operating hours are flexible enough to work just about anyone’s schedule. They are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. You can try your first stretch session for free. To book an appointment, call 501.812.3931 or visit their website.

Brandon Sheard and Kindley Wasson of Kelley Commercial Partners represented Stretch Zone, and Eric Varner of Kelley Commercial Partners represented the landlord. Welcome to West Cantrell Plaza, Stretch Zone, and welcome to Arkansas!

Ageless Health & Fitness Relocates to Village@PV

Posted on 04/15/22

Ageless Health & Fitness, the newest business to move into the Village@PV (formerly, Village at Pleasant Valley) is a gym, but it’s not just any ordinary gym. Far from it. Delena Morrison, co-owner with her husband, Edward Drangle, calls it an “upscale boutique fitness center,” which is without a doubt a far better description.

So, what sets Ageless Fitness apart from your average gym? Well, first and foremost it’s owned and operated by a physical therapist with over 35 years of experience with functional fitness. Each new member receives a full assessment by a physical therapist who then uses that information to create a personalized fitness program that is based on each individual’s goals and needs, as well as their limitations. “We are the only gym to combine physical therapy with fitness. No one else does that. That’s what sets us apart” Morrison says.

Ageless Fitness focuses on functional fitness – a combination of strength training, posture, flexibility, and coordination. Trainers guide members through techniques and movements that are designed to address all these areas and work several parts of the body all at once. Special attention is paid to developing core strength, one of the most important aspects of keeping the body fit and functional at any age.

n addition to their unique fitness program, Ageless Fitness offers massage therapy, specialized classes including Pilates, group training, personal training, cardio, strength and flexibility programs, as well as nutritional counseling. They also sell a wide variety of wellness products including stretch bands, heel lifts, and CBD products.

Morrison describes their new space as more open and brighter than their previous space. “The signaled intersection at the entrance to the shopping center has also made a lot of difference,” she said. “It provides much easier access.”

Ageless Health & Fitness Center is located at 10700 N. Rodney Parham Rd., Suite C in Little Rock. They are open Monday-Thursday from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, call 501-225-9996 or email info@agelesshealthandfitness.com.

For leasing information at the Village@PV, contact Brooke Miller or Drew Laning at 501.375.3200.

Dog Days? Pretty Paws!

Posted on 07/21/21

Is your pooch looking a little unkempt during these “Dog Days” of summer? Well, our newest tenant at Breckenridge Village Shopping Center, Pretty Paws Pet Grooming, can get your fur baby looking and feeling great again. Tabbitha Taber and Dominick Maida opened this boutique pet grooming salon on May 20^th of this year.

Tabbitha and Dominick make a great team. She handles all the pups in the front of the shop, while he handles all the biz in the back. Of course, Dominick will often step out of the office to play with a pup or two. Can you blame him?

Tabbitha has been grooming dogs for about seven years, and in spite of the daily occupational hazard of a dog bite, she absolutely loves what she does. She says, “I love all animals!” At home she has four dogs, four cats, and a rabbit.

Tabbitha started her pet grooming journey as a bather at a shop in Bryant and as she observed the groomers, she knew right away that she had found her passion. Anxious to learn, she spent the next year training in Bryant with a groomer who specialized in show poodles. Since then, she has worked at a number of veterinary clinics and grooming salons before the opportunity to open her own place presented itself. One evening the couple was visiting Angie Creal, owner of Axis Salon in Suite A7 of Breckenridge Village when they noticed the “For Lease” sign in the window of the space downstairs. “It just happened to be the perfect size and had some other features which were exactly what I was looking for to open Pretty Paws,” says Tabbitha.

Working with leasing agent, Brooke Miller and property manager, Missy Cherry, Tabbitha and Dominick signed a lease and got to work. The result is a fun, colorful space designed to keep the animals happy and safe. “It’s all about the animals,” she says. Of course, she loves to please her two-legged clients too, but Tabbitha readily admits, “If I didn’t have to have money to live, I would do this [job] for free!”

Pretty Paws is located in Breckenridge Village Shopping Center at 10301 N. Rodney Parham, Suite A3. They are open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and are currently offering a 20 percent discount to customers who send a referral. Military and senior citizens (65+) always receive a 10 percent discount.