Retail Isn’t Dead — It’s Misunderstood with Andy Weiner

What if your community's blighted mall could be transformed into a thriving, income-producing asset? Andy Weiner, founder of RockStep Capital, joins Yonah to share how he revitalizes struggling shopping centers by turning them into community-centered investments with strong cash flow. Drawing from over 30 years in retail and real estate, Andy explains why secondary and tertiary markets are prime for investment, how local partnerships reduce risk, and the philosophy behind his company’s culture of adaptability and integrity. 

[00:01 - 06:27] From Retail Collapse to Real Estate Opportunity

• Why Walmart’s dominance led to the end of Wiener’s retail chain
• How retail operations experience became the foundation for Andy’s real estate investment approach
• The importance of understanding tenant risk in shopping center investing

[06:28 - 12:34] Investing in ‘Hometown America’

• Why RockStep focuses on secondary and tertiary markets
• The role of local business leaders as equity partners and risk reducers
• How community banks offer flexibility national lenders can’t

[12:35 - 18:22] Turning Blight into Economic Engines

• Examples from Louisiana, Kansas, and South Dakota showing how RockStep transforms communities
• How public-private coalitions help reposition underperforming malls
• Using incentives and local alignment to unlock property value

[18:23 - 25:57] The RockStep Philosophy: Culture, Values, and Direction

• The meaning behind the company name "RockStep"
• A breakdown of Andy’s 25 “Rock Steps” – internal rules of behavior
• How culture drives performance, retention, and investor trust

[25:58 - 31:00] Cash Flow, Malls, and the Future of Retail

• Why retail’s decline is overstated and where the opportunities are
• Three strategies to reposition malls for cash flow or mixed use
• RockStep’s goal to educate investors on shopping center economics

Connect with Andy:

Website: https://rockstep.com/learning-center

 https://investclearly.com/sponsors/rockstep-capital

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-weiner/

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Tweetable Quotes:

“We call it RockStep because it’s a dance move. You’ve got to be nimble. When there’s a threat or opportunity, you switch direction.” - Andy Weiner

“If we can’t get a local investor to believe in me, RockStep, and the asset, we won’t do the deal.” - Andy Weiner