Landlords are saying farewell to Sears and hello to Dave & Buster’s.
Recognizing an opportunity in the so-called retail apocalypse, the arcade game and sports bar is expanding its footprint by targeting shuttered mall anchor stores across the U.S., CNBC reports.
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Dave & Buster’s has an estimated 100 stores in operation across the country, each of which is from 25K to 43K SF. New stores in smaller cities will test a smaller 17K SF format to better fit with the population. The brand is looking to open 14 new locations in 2018 and another 15 next year.
The former Sears locations are a particularly good fit for Dave & Buster’s because they often offer access to major highways, are easily visible and have plenty of parking, according to CNBC.
For landlords and mall operators, having a brand like Dave & Buster’s can drive traffic through the roof. The trend of "eater-tainment" — a venue that offers a combination of food and entertainment — has grown as people have shifted to spending disposable income on experiences rather than material goods.
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