By Susan Salisbury – Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
Posted: 5:00 a.m. Friday, May 16, 2014
“Everybody is looking forward to both of those retailers opening. Whole Foods is constantly busy,” said Rebel Cook, a commercial real estate broker based in Jupiter. The $5 million renovation of Tequesta Shoppes on U.S. 1, where a former Stein Mart store is being turned into stores for Marshalls and Home Goods will dramatically improve that corridor, Cook said. “Older centers have to be renovated and updated. A lot of the very large shopping centers around the country are becoming entertainment centers because the retail market is changing so dramatically,” Cook said. “The reason it is changing is that people order on the Internet.” The largest number of calls from people looking to lease retail space comes from those looking to open fitness studios and restaurants, Cook said. “With Jupiter, 10 years ago, 70 percent of the population would leave during the summer. Only 30 percent stayed. I think that is reversed,” Cook said. “More and more people are living here year-round. You have more young families moving here, so the demand for retail is strong.”