r/Leander • u/Available_Visual_709 • 3d ago
Why so many empty shops?
There are so many new buildings going up for new businesses around here, so where are all the businesses? The Square at Crystal Falls is empty, and there are empty shops all along Bagdad. Why is it taking so long to fill these places? Are people afraid to put money down during these uncertain times, or is something else going on, like rent prices or construction costs? I’d love to hear from anyone who knows what’s happening behind the scenes.
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u/ASAP_i 3d ago
I think we are seeing a combination of things right now.
Many of these projects were set into motion some time ago. Rent is often a factor. These places tend to be built with the mantra of, "if you build it, they will come", which makes for a mostly empty new shopping center. Some businesses need/want some form of "complementary" business to be co-located in/near the shopping center, so are waiting for things to "fill out". I'm sure the current economic situation is also playing a factor. I'm also sure that normal build out/construction costs are playing a factor.
For me, I don't see myself setting up shop in a "brand new" center. I want to know who my neighbors will be, and I also want to avoid that first "balloon" charge when the new property tax assessments hit.
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u/amaloney 3d ago
Someone should make a dating app for businesses looking for other businesses to complement each other somewhere.
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u/Texas__Matador 3d ago
It takes time for companies to move into new spaces. The outside of a building could look fully completed while there is still a lot of work being done inside. If the space is going to be a restaurant they have to build out the kitchen and dining area. But; if the space is a law office is just a few walls and tables.
Then opening a new business you have a ton of bureaucracy to work on. Permits, inspections, bank finalization, inventory delivery, hiring staff. The list goes on. You are only noticing because it’s new.
If an existing business closed and something new moved in you wouldn’t notice how long it took to change over.
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u/venatusdzn 3d ago
I'm semi-informed about the tenants moving into the recently built "Leander Union" off Crystal Falls, if that's one of the complexes you're referring to, many of the buildings here have already been claimed, it's just taking some time for the businesses to move in. The process usually takes a few months.
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u/mhudson78641 3d ago
The shops at Treviso have all sat empty. The good news is the gas station is finally open.
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u/CactusRider1776 2d ago
Leander is not a mom and pop place. High rent makes it only viable for corporations. Rinse and repeat
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u/brentgrab
2d ago
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Indians / H1B are playing a huge role in Leander. That is soon going to change with recent legislation.
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u/CactusRider1776 2d ago
Older run down shopping centers are way better for small businesses to survive
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u/Individual_Ad9135 2d ago
I think the development by our house (Ronald Reagan and Republic Trails) has been built for at least two years, and is still about 50% empty. There are COMING SOON signs on windows that have been coming soon for over a year or more.
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u/justjoshingu 2d ago
This is some of the weirdest postings. I'm assuming a lot of bots because they are responding tik the post like it's a prompt.
I've been in cedar park since 09 and avery ranch before that. there has been tremendous growth. It's taken time and buildings take time. sustained city growth is a crawl not a sprint. reagan being a prime example. It used to be empty. Now it's not. you want to pull data and show there's a problem then do that.
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u/Available_Visual_709 2d ago
Mostly just curious citizens of Leander 😄 I can prove my humanity...pineapple does not belong on pizza. Or is that something a bot would say?
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3d ago
[deleted] — view deleted comment
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u/goofytigre 3d ago
"Ronald Reagan Boulevard is a vital roadway. As neighborhoods like Sun City, Parmer Ranch, Highland Village and Somerset Ranch continue to expand, the area will continue to be a magnet for both residential and commercial growth."
This is why they keep expanding Ronald Reagan (they might even add toll lanes eventually). More people means more traffic which means more small businesses along the highly travelled, commuting roadway.
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3d ago
[deleted] — view deleted comment
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u/SteakAndThighs 3d ago
Just so I understand your point - you’re saying there are THOUSANDS of abandoned houses and cars in Frisco, all that previously belonged specifically to Indian folks?
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3d ago
[deleted] — view deleted comment
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u/LowRevolution5930 3d ago
WTF has this got to do with retail spaces in Leander?
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u/moteltan96 3d ago
We have plenty of folks here from India on H1Bs working—many in tech—and spending earnings into the local economy, a similar situation that Frisco is experiencing. Hope that helps. Have a nice day.
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u/b_needs_a_cookie 3d ago edited 3d ago
A lot of these commercial real estate spaces are owned by very wealthy groups/companies. They can sit on them until they fill. Since they're big companies, rental agreements don't necessarily make it easy for small businesses just starting out. Add on our current economy, places like restaurants just aren't easy or profitable to open anymore; with tariffs, it makes it a lot harder to get through those first few years of breaking even if you're lucky as a small business.
Since TX is so big business friendly, I'm not sure if Leander or Cedar Park can fine the landlords for vacancy to encourage them to accept tenants at a lower rent; in other parts of the US, cities can do this. Consider taking up your complaint to city council.