EDC hears Retail Coach update as city lacks ready retail space

The White House Economic Development Council heard an update Aug. 21 from the Retail Coach on efforts to recruit retail tenants to the city and to connect with site selectors. The Retail Coach has continued marketing White House at industry conferences, including ICSC in Las Vegas, and plans to attend Retail Live South Central in Austin this fall, Susan (Staff member, White House Economic Development Council) said. The consultant team “plan[s] to reach out to their developer contacts both locally and in the DFW area to discuss the ongoing need for new retail lease space here at White House,” Susan said, adding that Hotels often plan expansions in the third quarter while restaurant and retail timelines are more fluid. Council members and staff discussed specific opportunities. A fast-food prospect expressed interest in locating near a Brookshire’s shopping center, but Susan said there is not existing available space there, prompting the Retail Coach to pursue developers who would build new space. A national hardware chain has shown conditional interest; the retailer typically seeks 9,000–10,000 square feet but its real estate team is exploring whether the brand could scale down to fit a recently vacated unit. That prospect may require city involvement on zoning or variance requests if it moves forward. The Retail Coach also will target “eatertainment” concepts (restaurant-plus-entertainment uses), and the council was told representatives Aaron and Caleb with the Retail Coach have expressed interest in attending a future EDC meeting to give an in-person update, tentatively Aug. 21. No formal action was taken; the presentation was informational and council members asked staff to continue following up with developers and prospects.