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34 / BUILDING DIALOGUE / JUNE 2017
H eadlines on the continual upsurge of
e-commerce are nothing new. Stories of
failing large-format stores have become
a tangible reality that continue to lead to the
decline of big-box retail. In today’s digital envi-
ronment, online sales make up 10.5 percent of all
retail and the U.S. Census Bureau tells us growth
is expected to accelerate even further. Alongside
this increase in e-commerce is a shift in shopping
patterns. Most consumer spending last year, nearly
70 percent in fact, went to experiences rather than
products. (Bureau of Economic Analysis).
While this story is no different in secondary mar-
kets, such as Northern Colorado, a compelling result
of this shift has been the rise of community-based
neighborhood centers. These smaller centers focus
on experiential retail that blends into the existing
fabric of the community. Tenants are inclusive of
hands-on concepts such as restaurants, personal
services, health and fitness facilities, and cinemas.
Although consumers are now less likely to visit a
brick-and-mortar store to purchase goods, they are
increasingly looking for a physical sense of space
that delivers services. As a mission-driven real es-
tate development and investment company, we are
focused on creating a retail product that meets the
lifestyle needs of neighboring residents by creating
meaningful places that speak to each community’s
unique character.
We are completing Harmony Commons, a neigh-
borhood mixed-use center in southeast Fort Collins.
The project’s tenant mix is representative of concepts
such as Harbinger Coffee and DC Oakes Brewhouse
and Eatery that are local to Northern Colorado, in
addition to popular, yet unique, regional concepts
such as MidiCi Pizza, Potbelly Sandwich Shop, Tokyo
Joe’s and Famous Toastery. This blend works well in
experiential centers as the tenants are all dedicat-
ed to providing a distinct experience specific to our
market rather than a generic concept that is repli-
cated from store-to-store.
Like the shift that is occurring in other mar-
kets such as Denver and Boulder, our project is il-
lustrative of the demand to deliver a more urban
concept with highly desirable tenants in suburban
areas and secondary regions. These areas showcase
strong demographics to support such developments
and patrons that are seeking an elevated offering
of services that don’t water down the culture of the
community.
Harmony Commons has tenants opening from
April through August. A Fairfield Inn & Suites by
Kevin
Brinkman
Chief
Executive
Officer,
Brinkman
ELEMENTS Neighborhood Retail
Corner View of the Harmony Commons Development in southeast Fort Collins