Location, And Perception, Sway Retail Success

When Namaste Yoga leaves in October, it will be more likely to fill that space.

"The true commercial numbers are north," Margarella said. "It's newer. It's sexier. The access is just as good."

And those shopping centers are more likely to attract national chain businesses.

When the shopping centers were developed, owners kept the rents relatively low to fill them up quickly. It generated a mix of small-business owners and national chains, Margarella said. As they matured, owners raised the rents and common area maintenance fees, and essentially squeezed out independents such as yoga studio owner Adrienne Reed.

"The biggest problem with retail in our corridor is that the owners still want to deal with corporate people with deep pockets," he said.

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