How to Repurpose Vacant Storefronts

Even before the pandemic’s impact on commerce, brick-and-mortar retail spaces were seeing lower demand. Rather than leave them as boarded-up vacant storefronts until new tenants move in, some cities are adjusting their zoning codes to make retail spaces more available to uses such as light manufacturing.

Writing in Governing, Ilana Preuss explains, “Small-scale manufacturers create products — from hardware to handbags to hot sauce — that typically are sold both in retail shops and online and are thus not solely dependent on foot traffic for revenue. That makes them well suited to neighborhoods and business districts seeking to revitalize from significant commercial-space vacancies.”

Recently, New York City became the first major city to loosen its zoning regulations on small-scale manufacturing in all commercial corridors, eliminating costly and time-consuming permitting processes. 

“Today’s appeal and demand for small-scale manufacturing businesses is strengthened further by the fact that they often combine production facilities with a retail store and even entertainment space. That enables them to play a more enhanced role in the civic life of their communities.” For Preuss, including “small clean production businesses” in more neighborhoods can be a catalyst to economic development and community vitality.