Retail coach reports outreach to restaurants, retailers and hotels after ICSC conference

City staff told the Whitehouse EDC on May 21 that the retail coach remains active in recruitment and outreach, with recent attendance at the ICSC retail conference in Las Vegas and follow-ups planned with targeted restaurant and developer contacts.

"They're working with several restaurant, retail, and hotel properties right now," a staff member reported, and said the coach will share notes from the conference and has scheduled meetings with a quick-serve restaurant and a local developer to explore creating new retail space. Staff also described direct outreach to hotel operators (rather than franchise offices) as a strategy that had worked elsewhere and will be tried locally.

Members discussed constraints on available retail-ready space and the EDC's previous attempt to acquire a parcel on Highway 110, which the owner declined; the property remains for sale. Staff said the retail coach provides monthly reports and will supply another update before the next EDC meeting.