Here’s what everyone gets wrong about retail. People haven’t stopped going out. They’ve stopped going to boring places.

The truth is simple. Shopping has changed. Buying stuff isn’t enough anymore. People want experiences. And smart property owners are catching on.

What Changed?

Remember the old mall anchors? Sears. JCPenney. Macy’s. They sold products.

Today’s anchors are different. They sell fun. They sell memories. They create reasons to leave the house.

TopGolf brings friends together. Escape rooms create adventure. Climbing gyms build community. These aren’t stores. They’re destinations. And that changes everything.

You can buy a shirt online. But you can’t download a night out with friends. You can’t stream the feeling of hitting a strike at the bowling alley. That’s why experience wins.

Let’s Talk Numbers

Here’s what we know. Regular shopping centers keep people for one hour. But add entertainment? Now they stay two hours. Sometimes three.

Why does this matter? Time equals money.

A family comes for laser tag at 2 PM. They arrive early for lunch at 1 PM. After laser tag, the kids want ice cream. Mom sees a sale at Target. Dad grabs coffee. One activity just created five transactions.

This happens every day. Every customer. The math is powerful.

What Counts as Experience?

Let’s get specific. What are these new anchors?

Eatertainment is huge right now. Picture a restaurant. Add bowling lanes. Now you have Punch Bowl Social. Take a bar. Add mini-golf. You get Puttery. Combine food with fun, and people line up.

Fitness isn’t just gyms anymore. It’s Orange Theory creating group energy. It’s climbing walls becoming social hubs. It’s yoga studios building loyal tribes. These places create daily traffic from committed members.

Pure entertainment covers everything else. Virtual reality arcades. Axe throwing venues. Escape rooms. Paint-and-sip studios. Each one turns empty space into community gathering spots.

Family venues drive weekend traffic. Trampoline parks. Indoor playgrounds. Kids’ party places. Parents need these spaces. And they spend money while they’re there.

New Money Math

Here’s where property owners get nervous. Yes, experiential tenants need more upfront investment. A climbing gym needs 30-foot ceilings. A restaurant needs commercial kitchens. A VR arcade needs serious electrical work.

But look at what you get back.

Traditional retail signs 3-year leases. Maybe 5 years. Experience tenants sign for 10 years. Sometimes 15. They invest too much to leave quickly.

The rent might seem lower at first. Maybe $15 per square foot instead of $25. But $15 from a thriving business beats $0 from an empty store. And experience tenants rarely go dark.

Plus, they boost everyone else. That climbing gym member grabs smoothies next door. The escape room visitors shop before their reservation. Everyone benefits from the traffic.

Why Struggling Properties Win

Here’s the surprising part. Experience tenants often want what struggling properties have.

Dead anchor space? Perfect for indoor golf. Too much parking? Great for family venues. Off the main retail strip? Fine for destination businesses. Lower rent? Allows more investment in the experience.

That dying mall isn’t dying. It’s transforming. The empty Sears becomes a food hall. The old Penney’s houses a family fun center. Suddenly, people have reasons to visit.

What They Really Need

Want to attract experience tenants? Understand what they’re looking for.

Space matters. Not just square footage. They need height for rock walls. Width for bowling lanes. Open floors for trampolines.

Systems matter too. Strong air conditioning for active customers. Good ventilation for cooking. Soundproofing for loud activities. Proper emergency exits for crowds.

Location needs are different. They don’t need to be next to Whole Foods. But they need easy highway access. Plenty of parking. Room for Uber drop-offs. Visibility from the road.

The Tenant Hunt

Finding experience tenants takes different skills. You’re not just calling retail chains. You’re talking to regional operators. Local entrepreneurs. Franchise owners looking to expand.

These conversations are different too. You’re discussing build-out partnerships. Revenue sharing. Percentage rent deals. Marketing cooperation. It’s more complex than traditional leasing.

But it’s worth it. Because when you land the right experiential anchor, everything changes.

Your Property’s Future

Take an honest look at your property. Is foot traffic declining? Are tenants leaving? Are you competing on rent alone?

If yes, you need experiential tenants. Not next year. Now.

The transformation won’t happen overnight. It takes planning. Investment. The right partners. But properties that make this shift survive. Those that don’t become dead malls.

Time to Act

Williams Capital Advisors knows experiential tenanting. We’ve placed entertainment anchors across Southern California. We understand the economics. We know the players. We structure deals that work.

We help you identify which experiential concepts fit your property. We know if you need active entertainment or calm experiences. Family focus or adult offerings. High-energy or relaxed vibes.

We handle negotiations differently than traditional retail deals. We understand TI packages for experiential build-outs. We structure percentage rent that protects you. We ensure lease terms that create long-term value.

Most importantly, we see your property’s potential. That struggling center isn’t a failure. It’s an opportunity. With the right experiential mix, it becomes a destination.

Start Today

The retail evolution is happening now. Properties adding experiential tenants are thriving. Those waiting are falling further behind.

Contact Williams Capital Partners to explore your experiential future.

(213) 880-8107 | francisco.williams@williamscap.ai. | williamscapitaladvisors.com.

Stop competing with Amazon. Start creating experiences Amazon can’t match. Your property’s revival starts with one conversation.

The future isn’t about shopping. It’s about living. Make your property part of that future.