How DFW Real Estate Firms Have Stepped Up

This article first appeared in D Magazine.

My previous blogs for D CEO have focused on retail and restaurant trends, which is natural given my role at The Retail Connection. This time around, I want to recognize some of our local retail real estate firms that have actively participated in helping our community during the past few months of unprecedented disruption.

Their support has focused on a variety of areas, including donations to ease the burden of first responders and front-line workers to giving small businesses some much needed extra attention.

For example, during the early days of the pandemic, our friends at Falcon Realty Advisors created an email blast that encouraged people to participate in the Great American Takeout. The restaurant and bar industry employs more than 15 million people in the U.S., and The Great American Takeout encouraged people to support local eateries by regularly ordering takeout during the weeks of shelter-in-place.

Similarly, EDGE Realty Partners encouraged the support of their restaurant clients by creating an email blast with logos and pictures, including a direct link to the restaurant websites for the menu and ordering.

At The Retail Connection, we joined forces with a team from TopGolf in mid-April and volunteered at Minnie’s Food Pantry in Plano. The day was spent packing and sorting food boxes, as well as assisting with curbside pickup.

Additionally, and in conjunction with The Real Estate Council, TRC donated 500 lunches to the Dallas Police Department as a thank you for all the long hours they spend keeping our city safe. Several other commercial real estate firms also donated to this cause.

These are only a few of the countless examples of kindness and generosity our real estate community has shown this spring.

I’m not a fan of people who publicly boast about their good deeds, but at the same time, I believe it’s important to recognize these acts, as it can hopefully inspire others to do the same.

As retailers and restaurants slowly begin to reopen, and we return to a sense of normalcy, we must remain focused on those that have been most affected by this disruption.

We will continue to find ways to give, whether it’s money, time, or both—and we encourage all to do the same.

We are truly in this together, and there has never been a more important time to stay connected.