Today we’d like to introduce you to Shannon Ridgeway.
Shannon, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
After graduating from DePaul University, I started off my career in advertising and marketing at a small agency working on CPG clients. About two years into my career, I decided to continue working full-time and went back to DePaul part-time for my Master’s degree in Corporate Communication. It was tough to juggle a full-time job and grad school, but I did it, and I loved it!
Shortly before finishing up grad school, I was looking for a new opportunity and landed a job as the Marketing Director at Westfield Old Orchard shopping center. I was in heaven! I loved retail and marketing so this position really offered me the best of both worlds. The rest is pretty much history and I have been in the commercial real estate business ever since at a variety of high-end shopping centers including Northbrook Court, The Glen Town Center and now as the General Manager of Roosevelt Collection Shops.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Of course not! There have been many bumps along the road and a lot of important lessons learned along the way. Making the transition from Marketing Director to General Manager forced me to think differently about the business and learn more about the operational and financial side of things. It hasn’t always been easy, but I’m always up for a challenge and have really enjoyed learning new things. It has made me a more well-rounded person both personally and professionally.
Additionally, online shopping has completely transformed the retail landscape and how we do our jobs today. Retail isn’t just about decades-old apparel brands and antiquated shopping malls anymore. Shopping centers are taking on a new life of their own, bringing in pop-up tenants, experiential activations, more restaurants and added entertainment options. If we want to remain relevant as a shopping destination, we have to constantly be thinking of new and innovative ways to be different, better and more special than the rest!
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Roosevelt Collection Shops – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
I work for Poag Shopping Centers based out of Memphis, Tennessee which manages outdoor lifestyle centers across the country. PGIM Real Estate owns the property. Roosevelt Collection Shops is an urban, mixed-use center located in the heart of the South Loop. Featuring a curated selection of national and local retailers, restaurants, entertainment and health and fitness tenants, Roosevelt Collection Shops offers a central location where life meets leisure. The commuter-friendly lifestyle center features various amenities in its grand central plaza, including a play area, koi pond, and fire pits. Visitors are also treated to unrivaled skyline views and a serene green space on The Rooftop, a public park on the property that is shared with the neighboring British International School of Chicago. Roosevelt Collection is completed by 342 Class-A high-end rental apartments, Roosevelt Collection Lofts, designed for those who like to live and lounge in the middle of it all.
I am responsible for the financial, marketing and operational performance of the property, which includes effective leadership and the ability to drive sales/traffic to the center and create a safe, friendly, well-maintained environment. I oversee construction projects related to capital improvements, coordinate sponsorship, promotions and special events with the Marketing Manager, establish effective working relationships with all store managers and develop, implement and administer the annual budget. I direct and supervise the activities of all property employees, work in conjunction with the leasing team to execute new leases to meet or exceed objectives and also participate in the development of business plans and special projects to enhance tenant sales productivity and center profitability.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
I am excited to start a fresh new year at Roosevelt Collection Shops! We have a lot of exciting things in the works – new pop-up shops, one-of-a-kind marketing activations, rooftop events and festivals – it’s going to be a game-changing year for us.
Contact Info:
- Address: Managed by Poag Shopping Centers:
Roosevelt Collection Shops
150 W. Roosevelt Road
Chicago, IL 60605 - Website: rooseveltcollection.com
- Phone: 312.379.5994
- Email: info@rooseveltcollection.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rcshops/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rooseveltcollection/
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