In this conversation, Cynthia Kratchman shares what she’s seeing on the ground right now in Detroit and Birmingham, and why both markets are drawing serious brand attention.

Cynthia is a principal at Mid-America Real Estate Group with more than thirty years in retail brokerage. The spaces she’s bringing to market today reflect how demand is evolving and what brands are prioritizing when they choose where to land next.

We walk through two standout opportunities. A 4,800 square foot corner space at 1201 with basement access, patio potential, and a roof deck that opens the door for elevated fast casual or full service restaurant concepts. And the lower level at the Farwell Building, a 5,000 square foot space beneath a curated apparel gallery and the acclaimed Layla Restaurant, set inside one of downtown Detroit’s most architecturally striking buildings.

Cynthia breaks down what brands are asking for, how site selection thinking is shifting, and why she sees long term momentum building in both markets.

Full episode goes live Thursday.

Brands represented: @andrettikarting @crayolaexperience @itsugar @jaredthegalleriaofjewelry @kayjewelers @kurasushi_usa @maurices @mysalonsuite @roomandboard @traderjoes

This week we sit down with Adam Williams, a Charlotte native who has watched South End evolve from a corridor of barred windows and break ins to one of the most competitive retail streets in the Southeast. Adam grew up in the neighborhood long before Patagonia planted a flagship and long before national brands lined up for space along the light rail.

He walks us through the turning points how the GFC pushed him into second-gen restaurant deals how buying and reinventing a 1960s bowling alley taught him to think like an operator why South End rents jumped from the twenties to the sixties and which neighborhoods will define the next wave of growth as Plaza Midwood, NoDa, South Park, Dilworth, and the suburbs all heat up.

Adam also breaks down his current work on 110 East and Midblock, the density that is reshaping South End, and why Charlotte’s momentum keeps attracting major brands.

Episode 3 drops Thursday.

Explore more at brandmarch.com

Brands Adam works with @Patagonia @Target @AceHardware @MichaelsStores @UltaBeauty @PetSmart @WorldMarket @GAP @RH @TotalWine

JEFF GAUL IS LIVE ON BEHIND THE LEASE.

In our first episode, Jeff Gaul shares how site selection fundamentals stay the same whether you are building global brands like Nike and Sephora or scaling fresh food concepts. Different products, same customers, same trade areas, same decisions that drive results.

www.brandmarch.com