Chico’s will stay at Barcroft Plaza
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| Brazilian dancer Danielle Areco celebrates a successful outcome for Chico’s Natural Pet Market at a Yappy Hour event at the store May 24. |
Chico’s Natural Pet Market will stay in Barcroft Plaza – at least for another year.
That is happening, in no small part, because Chico’s owner Danielle Areco, mobilized her customers and the community to fight back when Federal Realty refused to negotiate a new lease and attempted to force the store out of
the shopping center.
the shopping center.
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| Pets are welcome at Chico’s. |
Federal Realty’s vice president of leasing, Rich Abruscato, had refused to consider alternatives to let the store stay after Areco’s lease expired May 31 and didn’t respond to her requests to discuss the matter.
So Areco invited customers to two community meetings to discuss the situation and help her come up with a solution. Del. Kaye Kory showed up to express support for a woman-owned and minority-owned small business. Kory and several customers
send emails to Abruscato urging him to reconsider.
send emails to Abruscato urging him to reconsider.
As a result, Abruscato agreed to meet with Areco, and they came to a resolution, allowing Chico’s to remain with a reduced rent. “He’s letting us stay for a year. That’s enough time to breathe and plan the next move,” Areco says.
Meanwhile, Abruscato agreed with Areco’s proposal to divide the store into two separate spaces and rent the extra space to another tenant. She hopes to find a complementary business, such as a veterinarian, to take over the other space and create synergy.
Areco appreciates the support from the community. “I want customers to know it’s truly their store.” She plans to reach out to customers and stock the products they want. The store will continue the dog-grooming service, will add online shopping through Endless Aisles, and might add pet sitting and dog walking. It will take some work but she vows to succeed.
“Federal Realty was able to listen, and we’re all going to work together to make this happen,” she says. After weeks of uncertainty, “at the last minute, a miracle happened.”
Yip Yip Hooray!!
That's Purrrific!!
=)
I'm so glad to hear this! I almost wish I had a pet so I could support Chico's with my own $$.
Unfortunately, this is not the only instance of local business landlords making it harder for small stores to stay open. Shame on them for ignoring what residents actually want and use. I hope Areco will be able to keep her business here going as long as she wishes.
maybe you have friends or family with pets and you could buy them some treats from Chico's.
This is excellent news!! I'm happy for Chico's!!
Great news. Now we need to continue to support them.
Yahoo, this is great news, was in there yesterday..