Another Bleak Sign for Retail - 100% Vacant Prime Plaza in Palm Harbor Florida

[hviewman]

Is this plaza still vacant?

[hviewman]

is this plaza still vacant?

[johnu78]

@hviewman

It has one tenant. And that one has a small spot, so I'd say it's still about 95% vacant.

[hviewman]

@johnu78 thank you for responding. That is sad. Is it over saturation of retail space or declining economy?

[johnu78]

@hviewman

The economy is very bad in Pinellas, and it gets worse by the day there. I imagine it could be several factors to why this plaza is still 95% vacant.

[Bradlee883]

so cool.

What a waste, though, of materials.

Retail has changed. We no longer need ugly cement stores like this. People are shopping in the comfort of their homes, on line, and from their I-phones. That is a good thing.

But now we have this ugly concrete stuff. We can just let it go. Be lucky your not the owner.

Times change. It doesn't mean that the economy is bad, though it isn't good. But don't think that we will see this resurrect when things get better, financially.

Thanks

[johnu78]

@Bradlee883

Flea Markets and streetside vendors are becoming more popular with each passing day. Thanks for watching.

[WONDOCTORJ]

that building is not worth the taxes on it

[KARLEST2]

I drove on US 19 in front of this plaza 10 times a day, well the cops like to take their break here...:-). The rent in this places are ridiculously high and they prefer keeping them empty than lower the prices.

Sad.

[DirtyVegas7]

sad

[caganb]

I'm gonna open a Tatoo shop in that plaza. There is plenty of parking !!!!!

[kosai19]

We're witnessing the collapse of the American empire and too many want to label reality as "doom and gloom" and go back to their lives.

This generation has been raised to not deal with anything "real". Apathy is always highest before collapses. The roman empire was no different either. Corruption is always highest at the same time that apathy is.

[johnu78]

America is going to fall a lot harder than what Rome did.

Thanks for watching and take care.

-John

[slinkycat321]

Would be an excellent setting to film a zombie outbreak movie.

[cycosteve2006]

wow,,,what is the unemployment there?....100%

[brown9ja]

this is scary!!!Some bank somewhere is about to go under on this bad bet.Sad.

[bezvakoudy]

I love you florida !

[telesniper2]

I how you pointed out the fact that all those resources are going to waste, because it lays bare the lie that financiers always use to excuse their chicanery---"it adds efficiency to the market, frees up resources", etc.

[markynj]

John, this is one of your more disturbing videos, because of the sheer magnitude, great news reporting despite the thought that this real estate may never make a comeback anytime soon.

[notbored12]

I thought this would follow on how videogames are destroying the youth :/

[csason]

Wonder how many homeless vets it makes

to build an empty plaza...

[laurieannek]

There is so much more to live than shopping.

Commerical Real Estate Crash coming next.

[cori800888]

I think the shop leasing terms are gong to change shortly,,, you get the space for utilities and a a fixed percentage of your sales/

that will reduce mall income by 70% or so, but at least fill the mall, keep vandals out and pay for maintenance etc.

[prescottbill]

Ghost Malls.

[bseven54]

5 stars! Keep up the great videos.

[johnu78]

Thank you for the rating. I have a great interview I'll be posting on Saturday, be sure to watch for it.

Thanks again and take care.

Sincerely,

John

[markynj]

@johnu78 greetings John just followed up on your you tube site amazing new video, just curious why you don't submit this to NBC ABC CNN FOX or a local network, just to see what they would say? i wonder if they would tell you it is not news worthy or they would love to show this on national TV.

[johnu78]

That's a great idea, I'll need to try that.

Thanks for watching. Take care, John

[mja2035]

The people have to turn this around, the gov't just can't. This is an up to date complex, not a rundown mall that needs to be torn down. An anchor chain will move in eventually then others will come. The problem is independent stand alone stores can't afford the start up costs like a franchise can. How much is the rent for one of these stores? Clearwater is a beautiful place, I hope you can turn it around in Florida. Thanks for the vid, Mike in Colorado

[johnu78]

Hello Mike, Thank you for your comment. I think Flea Markets will be making a big comeback soon. The great part about them is the very low rent.

Take care,

John

[mja2035]

Hi John, I don't think flea markets can afford the rent at this mall. I do think they will make a comeback though. They usually look for the lower rent areas of town. Thanks for your reply!

[johnu78]

Hello. No I meant that a lot of businesses will be moving from strip plazas to flea markets so they can survive. Take care, John

[cori800888]

yes indeedie,,,, flea markets a low overhead way to move merchandise.... and ebay of course and from your own web site

this mess cout ealisy be the end of brick and mortar retail except of groceries, maybe cars, and appliances too heavy to ship cost effectively,

the new store may be samples only, try on chothing etc.. then you order, and 2 or 3 days later your item arrives in the mail,,, cuts store size, clerk osts etc by 90^....

[cori800888]

the criminal cult of scientology is all over clearwater,,, its a huge put off for many.. their downtown is also a mess

for the hot dope on scientology search google add in terms such as fraud, murders,

blackmail

that wiill be interesting the cult might even buy that property if they can get it cheap enough,,, dont know what theyy would do with it though, they have huge empty buidings all over the world.... but only a few tousand active members left

[judutchinski]

Very good video. Not familiar with the Palm Harbor scene, but I've seen things turn around before. Not to say I'm optimistic... but takes momentum. Once one big retailer moves in, things snow-ball. Their probably holding out from being too desperate for low tier stores that don't fit in there. It's a nice joint. Gotta be all or nothing. Who wants to be the only retailer there? no one. Someone'll cough up the dough soon. Maybe keep us posted with a follow up vid. I'm actually scared to see. :(

[PennnSmith]

Why did you post this? Aren't you aware that America is going down, due to enemies in the Oval office? This is stale news.

[ericonline73]

B.S. The construction just finished up this summer.

[johnu78]

The summer was six months ago, wasn't it?

[countryhorsefive]

Speaking about agriculture, now the crops in FL are damaged by the freeze.

What will farmers do with their crops when the trucking industry collapses? Who will distribute the food?

[johnu78]

Buy perennials.

[oc5nsli341nforce4]

Shortages and poverty will be a way of life for this century.

[johnu78]

Permaculture is the only answer.

Get Gaia's Garden, you'll thank me after you read it.

Take care,

John

[skyding8962]

How many of these buildings were occupied about 2 or 3 years? What kind of businesses used to be in it?

[johnu78]

In this plaza it was a few small retail businesses up until around the end of 2007. After that they began renovating the building.

The renovations lasted for quite a few months, but they finished with the improvements over 6 months ago. Since that time the building has been 100% vacant.

Take care,

John

[papaboule]

I once dreamt of retiring in my home of Pinellas. That place doesn't exist any more. Great vid. 5 *s

How will ag make a comeback? Food shortages coming soon? Just curious.

[johnu78]

You should get the book Gaia's Garden, I highly recommend it.

The book is the answer to food shortages.

Take care,

John

[jenchillada]

5*.. thanks for showing us all that Florida isn't able to pay in sunshine any longer. Palm Harbor is a rich man's dream right.. I recall in the 80's and 90's.. all the golf courses/etc. Sick. All that and people are sleeping in the bushes. Business isn't able to afford to come here any longer.

[johnu78]

Agriculture is going to make a big come back in Florida, real soon!

Take care,

John

[jenchillada]

Having been in the shipping bizz for 8 years that'll do us great twice a year (agriculture). I'm moving up to homossassa.. hoping to just find minimum wage. Pinellas county is done for man. .. crime is out of control and rent is ridiculous!

[jimbobubbadj]

jench where is homossassa, I cannot find it on a map.

[johnu78]

It's in the southeast corner of Citrus county.

[jimbobubbadj]

john, Its on the water, I thought it would be one of the expensive places to live. jench implied that it is not expensive. I figured all communities on the water are expensive, apparently not.

[jenchillada]

Borders Lecanto.. Runs right off US 19.. which turns intoSuncoast Blvd. Zipcode 34446. Rent is way cheaper (my pal rents a 2 bedroom for $550. a month and there are plenty of ppl renting trailers out on several acres of property. My best friend bought 5 acres up there for less than 100K a few yrs back. lots of country but also lots of shops on main rd.

[jimbobubbadj]

john I looked inland for it thats why I could not find it at first.

[DigitalSkyline]

Nice... You should see Detroit , well actually Michigan in general. Not to mention how cold it gets here! Without shelter you die.

[jenchillada]

I feel even more sorry for Detroit Digital. But in the same sense.. come summer it will be 99 degrees inthe shade and ppl will die from heat here. It never end man. They mean to kill us all

[Gunnarsguns]

Michigan is a toilet...has been for years...high taxes...crazy cops...meanest ghetto population in the world....awful weather...no jobs

[valhala56]

Fools