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Schoneman working to fill two Mason City shopping centers

southport 2
Southport shopping center is located in the 1500 – 1900 block of South Federal Avenue in Mason City

MASON CITY – A local real estate agent is working on a brighter future for two down-and-out shopping destinations.

Southport shopping center and Southbridge Mall in Mason City have seen better days. Stores and shops at both locations have closed or fled for greener pastures as the heyday for both locales is a figment of yesteryear. Southport in particular is now anchored by a liquor / tobacco store and offers not much else. Six storefronts are now vacant and available for lease.  Former anchor store Sears closed last year. Southbridge Mall seems to be the same mall it always was with fewer and fewer open stores and the trademark 80s music entertaining a handful of mall walkers.

Brett Schoneman, realtor and councilman
Brett Schoneman, realtor and councilman

Currently, local Mason City realtor and city councilman Brett Schoneman of Schoneman Real Estate is attached to both properties. You will see a sign with his name perched at both shopping centers.

Southport has been for sale or lease for years with his realty agency looking to fill storefronts.  Currently, Mr. Schoneman tells NIT that he receives a lot of calls, but, most of the prospective retailers choose to you go out west if they choose Mason City

“Even with cost of locating at Southport 50% less than Willow Creek (Walmart area), I still can’t get people there.  We are working on an offer now for a new retailer for a  17,000 square feet space.  We get calls on it.  They just choose to go elsewhere.”

He also stressed that upgrades to storefronts are an option for the right retailer, as well as tenant-improvement allowances – anywhere from $10 – $15 per square foot.

“If anyone has suggestions for a specific retailer, or is interested themselves, please leave a comment or drop me a line,” Mr. Schoneman suggested.

Southbridge Mall
Southbridge Mall

About 15 blocks north, Southbridge Mall’s future is in limbo.  Currently owned by a bank in Texas, a possible “renaissance” development deal currently hangs in the balance that could breath new life into the former destination.  Construction on a pivotal hotel is rumored to begin in July, which may be enough for the five-project development to commence.  The mall would see a hockey arena and a music pavilion, to go with a nearby Marriott Hotel, parking ramp and mixed-use building.

However, the city of Mason City is actively seeking private ownership of the mall, as bank ownership is an impediment to moving ahead with a hockey arena inside the former JC Penney anchor store on the mall’s west side.

This is where you will find Mr. Schoneman’s realty sign – hanging in the main entrance to the former JC Penney.  He explained today that should the downtown “renaissance” deal fall apart, he is seeking to lease the store to a tenant.

“It’s a contingency plan,” Mr. Schoneman explained.

“JC Penney is closed, but they are on the lease for 3 more years.  A company in Massachusetts called me and asked me to list the property for lease, and I said of course.  This would take the burden of rent off of JC Penney.”

“I’m very optimistic that the renaissance project will go through,” Mr. Schoneman said.  “I’m confident it will go through.  A boutique realty company that works on all JC Penney leases called and asked me if I work in real estate.  I said of course.  That’s how the lease listing came to be.”

Some have bet that the hotel and the entire renaissance project will happen, and a surge of development has taken place in the downtown core area, with a new event venue – The Main Event – opening, a new brewery under construction, and several storefronts getting much-needed facelifts.  The Bank of America branch next to JC Penney closed, however, due to a stale business climate.

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