The Shoppes at Riverside – An Update

In mid-February, following a winter snowstorm in the area, the Shoppes at Riverside was faced with a failing roof and a temporary emergency closure that sadly led to a subsequent permanent closure. With that announcement came the realization of the severity of the impact on the over 23 tenant businesses and their need for relocation support, business assistance and community volunteers.

Starting in March Greater Grays Harbor, Inc. (GGHI) hosted weekly Resource Roundtables for the tenants of the mall, local resource partners and community leaders.  These weekly calls addressed immediate business needs and resource development. Through this process businesses shared their relocation plans and resources they were pursuing. Economic development partners like Downtown Aberdeen Association, Small Business Administration, WorkSource and the Department of Commerce all attended to provide resources to those businesses suddenly displaced.

Throughout April GGHI worked to collect information on the status and sentiments of the displaced businesses, where they had landed and what needs remained. Approximately 50% of the tenants responded to this survey.  The data collected does not represent all the tenants, but the information we were able to gather is worth noting.  The retail industry was the primary industry to reply with hospitality and personal care services coming in tied for second.

Asked to rank what the businesses needed most in the wake of this displacement all respondents rated the need for financial assistance to support their relocation as the highest need with navigating the regulatory environment, accessing business assistance, and promoting and marketing their new location holding a three-way tie for the second highest ranked need for their business.

Independent of the mall closure announcement GGHI was administrating a small business relief grant ($6,000) for the hospitality sector on behalf of the City of Aberdeen. Of the businesses awarded those grants 20% (3) were also tenants of the Shoppes at Riverside. Additionally, Downtown Aberdeen Association was able to provide a $500 grant to businesses relocating to Downtown Aberdeen and aided 6 businesses thus far.  The community also rallied around the displaced businesses and a fundraising concert was organized by Commissioner Jill Warne and friends. Over $3,000 was raised at the event and distributed to tenants.

When it came to finding to new locations the support of the Downtown Aberdeen Association was paramount to the successful relocation of 9 businesses and supported many others on their search. Based on the information that GGHI and DAA were able to gather from relocated businesses 60% of the tenants remained in Aberdeen. At the time of surveying 31% of the tenants were still exploring their relocation options and a small amount had opted to regroup and reorganize from their home while planning their next move.

Where Are They Now? 

What we know today.

Did we miss you?

Please email us at info@graysharbor.org to confirm your new location.

The impact on employees in combination with the current economic strain of the pandemic related economic downturn were also of concern for the tenants. Of the 12 respondents to the survey nine indicated that they were able to retain all employees and only two had to let employees go with one respondent indicating that an employee resigned voluntarily. Based on the respondents answers 9 jobs were lost and over half of the surveyed tenants indicated that they were not planning to hire or unsure of their future hiring plans over the next 60 days.

When asked to reflect on the experience and lessons learned throughout the process respondents indicated a need to understand insurance policies better, learn more about commercial leases and how to assess properties and the cost of setting up a stand alone building (versus being a tenant of a larger property).

Additionally, there was interest in being a property owner and supporting locally owned commercial properties.

What’s next?  GGHI will continue to monitor and support those businesses that are displaced. Regardless of membership status in GGHI our organization is prepared to provide any business technical assistance or refer them to another economic development or small business partner. Your local municipalities, county and state ask us to serve in that capacity for you and we stand ready to support.

GGHI is also thankful to the following organizations that participated in the meetings on a regular basis and worked hard to show support and assistance to all the organizations.

Thank you to: Alder Creative, Newrizons Credit Union, Bank of the Pacific, Timberland Credit Union, Olympus Consulting, Quigg and Company, Shoppes at Riverside, Coming Attractions, Downtown Aberdeen Association, Washington State Department of Commerce, WorkSource, Pac Mountain Workforce, Small Business Development Council, Timberland Bank, City of Aberdeen City Council and City Staff, Grays Harbor County Commissioners, Legislators from the 19th Washington Legislative District, Congressman Kilmer’s Office, and Senator Maria Cantwell’s Office and all the volunteers that donated/loaned equipment, staffing and time to support these businesses in their relocation.