Damon Hemmerdinger
@damonhemmerdinger.bsky.social
Placemaker-in-Chief, Camp North End and Real estate developer, ATCO Properties.
How do you approach curating your tenant mix?
Photo: Grow: A Plant Shop
10/10
Photo: Grow: A Plant Shop
10/10
November 10, 2025 at 4:30 PM
How do you approach curating your tenant mix?
Photo: Grow: A Plant Shop
10/10
Photo: Grow: A Plant Shop
10/10
8. We collaborate on marketing.
From jointly announcing a lease signing, through grand opening, and beyond!
Photo: Hex Coffee
9/10
From jointly announcing a lease signing, through grand opening, and beyond!
Photo: Hex Coffee
9/10
November 10, 2025 at 4:30 PM
8. We collaborate on marketing.
From jointly announcing a lease signing, through grand opening, and beyond!
Photo: Hex Coffee
9/10
From jointly announcing a lease signing, through grand opening, and beyond!
Photo: Hex Coffee
9/10
7. We insist our tenants install great signage.
We push (and push and push) the tenant to go bigger, to be more creative, to illuminate the sign - because by then they are short on funding and underestimate the importance of the sign.
Photo: Hardy Boys Records
8/10
We push (and push and push) the tenant to go bigger, to be more creative, to illuminate the sign - because by then they are short on funding and underestimate the importance of the sign.
Photo: Hardy Boys Records
8/10
November 10, 2025 at 4:30 PM
7. We insist our tenants install great signage.
We push (and push and push) the tenant to go bigger, to be more creative, to illuminate the sign - because by then they are short on funding and underestimate the importance of the sign.
Photo: Hardy Boys Records
8/10
We push (and push and push) the tenant to go bigger, to be more creative, to illuminate the sign - because by then they are short on funding and underestimate the importance of the sign.
Photo: Hardy Boys Records
8/10
6. All of our leases include percentage rent.
This is the best way to align the landlord and tenant.
We regularly walk from deals over this issue.
Photo: Halal Street Foods
7/10
This is the best way to align the landlord and tenant.
We regularly walk from deals over this issue.
Photo: Halal Street Foods
7/10
November 10, 2025 at 4:30 PM
6. All of our leases include percentage rent.
This is the best way to align the landlord and tenant.
We regularly walk from deals over this issue.
Photo: Halal Street Foods
7/10
This is the best way to align the landlord and tenant.
We regularly walk from deals over this issue.
Photo: Halal Street Foods
7/10
5. We sign short-duration leases
A failing small business leaves even if they have a long lease.
We always renew a short-term lease with a great tenant, & we stay in control of the space if tenants turn out not to be so great for the overall tenant mix.
Photo: Dupp & Swat
6/10
A failing small business leaves even if they have a long lease.
We always renew a short-term lease with a great tenant, & we stay in control of the space if tenants turn out not to be so great for the overall tenant mix.
Photo: Dupp & Swat
6/10
November 10, 2025 at 4:30 PM
5. We sign short-duration leases
A failing small business leaves even if they have a long lease.
We always renew a short-term lease with a great tenant, & we stay in control of the space if tenants turn out not to be so great for the overall tenant mix.
Photo: Dupp & Swat
6/10
A failing small business leaves even if they have a long lease.
We always renew a short-term lease with a great tenant, & we stay in control of the space if tenants turn out not to be so great for the overall tenant mix.
Photo: Dupp & Swat
6/10
4. We build small retail spaces and fit them out for flexibility.
This minimizes credit risk for any particular tenant.
Photo: Babe and Butcher
5/10
This minimizes credit risk for any particular tenant.
Photo: Babe and Butcher
5/10
November 10, 2025 at 4:30 PM
4. We build small retail spaces and fit them out for flexibility.
This minimizes credit risk for any particular tenant.
Photo: Babe and Butcher
5/10
This minimizes credit risk for any particular tenant.
Photo: Babe and Butcher
5/10
3. We accept that the best local retailers probably have no credit.
We can do this because the overall credit profile of our project is dominated by large office tenants. (We still do background and credit checks to look for bad actors.)
Photo: Black Moth Bars
4/10
We can do this because the overall credit profile of our project is dominated by large office tenants. (We still do background and credit checks to look for bad actors.)
Photo: Black Moth Bars
4/10
November 10, 2025 at 4:30 PM
3. We accept that the best local retailers probably have no credit.
We can do this because the overall credit profile of our project is dominated by large office tenants. (We still do background and credit checks to look for bad actors.)
Photo: Black Moth Bars
4/10
We can do this because the overall credit profile of our project is dominated by large office tenants. (We still do background and credit checks to look for bad actors.)
Photo: Black Moth Bars
4/10
2. We prefer tenants with a narrow niche.
Niche stores attract loyal customers from all across the market, & once they visit they will cross-shop if u have the right tenant mix.
Narrow niche businesses also minimize competition among tenants in the future.
Photo: Fitteds
3/10
Niche stores attract loyal customers from all across the market, & once they visit they will cross-shop if u have the right tenant mix.
Narrow niche businesses also minimize competition among tenants in the future.
Photo: Fitteds
3/10
November 10, 2025 at 4:30 PM
2. We prefer tenants with a narrow niche.
Niche stores attract loyal customers from all across the market, & once they visit they will cross-shop if u have the right tenant mix.
Narrow niche businesses also minimize competition among tenants in the future.
Photo: Fitteds
3/10
Niche stores attract loyal customers from all across the market, & once they visit they will cross-shop if u have the right tenant mix.
Narrow niche businesses also minimize competition among tenants in the future.
Photo: Fitteds
3/10
1. We look for the owner-operators of the best local retail and F&B startups.
We visit food truck gatherings and pop-up markets. We network like crazy. And we’re also fortunate that we are now getting a lot of inbound interest.
Photo: Seemingly Overzealous
2/10
We visit food truck gatherings and pop-up markets. We network like crazy. And we’re also fortunate that we are now getting a lot of inbound interest.
Photo: Seemingly Overzealous
2/10
November 10, 2025 at 4:30 PM
1. We look for the owner-operators of the best local retail and F&B startups.
We visit food truck gatherings and pop-up markets. We network like crazy. And we’re also fortunate that we are now getting a lot of inbound interest.
Photo: Seemingly Overzealous
2/10
We visit food truck gatherings and pop-up markets. We network like crazy. And we’re also fortunate that we are now getting a lot of inbound interest.
Photo: Seemingly Overzealous
2/10
A curated tenant mix is the key to a successful retail environment. Here’s some steps were taking to achieve this at Camp North End.
A 🧵
1/10
A 🧵
1/10
November 10, 2025 at 4:30 PM
A curated tenant mix is the key to a successful retail environment. Here’s some steps were taking to achieve this at Camp North End.
A 🧵
1/10
A 🧵
1/10
We ask our main vendors to sign on to our Code of Conduct (the company and the individual working at our property). This establishes our expectations, and makes a future conversation about banning an employee easy.
November 5, 2025 at 3:31 PM
We ask our main vendors to sign on to our Code of Conduct (the company and the individual working at our property). This establishes our expectations, and makes a future conversation about banning an employee easy.
For better or worse, if you're a developer, you need to be checking everyone's work. Example:
You hire a surveyor to create a survey.
The surveyor's polygon doesn't close.
You hire a surveyor to create a survey.
The surveyor's polygon doesn't close.
October 29, 2025 at 1:00 AM
For better or worse, if you're a developer, you need to be checking everyone's work. Example:
You hire a surveyor to create a survey.
The surveyor's polygon doesn't close.
You hire a surveyor to create a survey.
The surveyor's polygon doesn't close.
Closing out this series of #DamonsFavoriteDetails (at least for now) with some favorite moments at Ponce City Market.
October 14, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Closing out this series of #DamonsFavoriteDetails (at least for now) with some favorite moments at Ponce City Market.
The Reserve in Playa Vista has open ceilings with the cleanest infrastructure I've ever seen. #DamonsFavoriteDetails
October 13, 2025 at 4:30 PM
The Reserve in Playa Vista has open ceilings with the cleanest infrastructure I've ever seen. #DamonsFavoriteDetails
OK. Truth be told, I have two favorite canopies. This one is on Wycoff Ave in Bushwick. #DamonsFavoriteDetails
October 12, 2025 at 4:32 PM
OK. Truth be told, I have two favorite canopies. This one is on Wycoff Ave in Bushwick. #DamonsFavoriteDetails
Who else has a favorite canopy? Mine is this Meatpacking District gem (345 West 14th St) #DamonsFavoriteDetails
October 11, 2025 at 5:27 PM
Who else has a favorite canopy? Mine is this Meatpacking District gem (345 West 14th St) #DamonsFavoriteDetails
Who else has a favorite parking garage? Mine is in the LA Arts District in the "at Mateo" project. #DamonsFavoriteDetails
October 10, 2025 at 4:50 PM
Who else has a favorite parking garage? Mine is in the LA Arts District in the "at Mateo" project. #DamonsFavoriteDetails
Who else loves Domino Park in Brooklyn? #DamonsFavoriteDetails
October 9, 2025 at 4:35 PM
Who else loves Domino Park in Brooklyn? #DamonsFavoriteDetails
Industry City has the best planters.*. #DamonsFavoriteDetails
* Remember, all planters should have vines spilling over the sides.
* Remember, all planters should have vines spilling over the sides.
October 8, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Industry City has the best planters.*. #DamonsFavoriteDetails
* Remember, all planters should have vines spilling over the sides.
* Remember, all planters should have vines spilling over the sides.
More #DamonsFavoriteDetails, this time from The Camp in Costa Mesa, CA. I particularly love the parking lot labels.
October 7, 2025 at 5:43 PM
More #DamonsFavoriteDetails, this time from The Camp in Costa Mesa, CA. I particularly love the parking lot labels.
We ask our main vendors to sign on to our Code of Conduct (the company and the individual working at our property). This establishes our expectations, and makes a future conversation about banning an employee easy.
September 3, 2025 at 3:30 PM
We ask our main vendors to sign on to our Code of Conduct (the company and the individual working at our property). This establishes our expectations, and makes a future conversation about banning an employee easy.
Prism came back and cut big holes in the side.
(As I've mentioned before, we set aside a portion of our placemaking budget for post-completion additions - and fixing the mistakes that will inevitably happen.)
3/3
(As I've mentioned before, we set aside a portion of our placemaking budget for post-completion additions - and fixing the mistakes that will inevitably happen.)
3/3
August 17, 2025 at 4:37 PM
Prism came back and cut big holes in the side.
(As I've mentioned before, we set aside a portion of our placemaking budget for post-completion additions - and fixing the mistakes that will inevitably happen.)
3/3
(As I've mentioned before, we set aside a portion of our placemaking budget for post-completion additions - and fixing the mistakes that will inevitably happen.)
3/3
But... the color and light are only visible when you're in front of the fireplace - that means it's not helping pull you up into that retail area, up at the dock-high building elevation.
What's the solution?
2/3
What's the solution?
2/3
August 17, 2025 at 4:37 PM
But... the color and light are only visible when you're in front of the fireplace - that means it's not helping pull you up into that retail area, up at the dock-high building elevation.
What's the solution?
2/3
What's the solution?
2/3