PREIT Launches Initiative to “Support Black-Owned Business and Brands 365”

PREIT is making it easier for customers throughout its portfolio to support Black-owned businesses and brands all year through the launch of “Support Black-Owned Business and Brands 365.”

PREIT has empowered its local teams to create custom pages on each of their websites highlighting Black-owned retailers, restaurants and pop-up shops. Each property’s website also lists fashion brands, cosmetics, fragrance lines, entertainment, athletic and other products for sale at the mall.

This is part of PREIT’s ongoing efforts to spotlight Black-owned entrepreneurs and brands within its portfolio of top-tier and region-leading properties in eight states. During the coming year, at least two-thirds of PREIT properties also plan to host community-wide Black-Owned Business Showcases, providing entrepreneurs with a venue to showcase their goods and services. PREIT tested this concept and found great success in Fall 2020 at Woodland Mall.

PREIT properties throughout the footprint are also planning events and activities throughout the year, including art exhibits, documentary screenings and food festivals as a way to highlight the importance of Black-owned business and brands beyond Black History Month.

“We are pleased to take this concrete step to encourage our guests to support Black-owned businesses throughout the year,” said Joseph F. Coradino, CEO of PREIT. “The past year has been challenging for many retailers, but Black-owned businesses have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic. Consumers can now make even more informed buying decisions that will directly support Black entrepreneurs in our community.”

A selection of Black-owned stores, pop-up and specialty stores, restaurants and services across the PREIT footprint includes:

• Nearly 20 businesses in Patrick Henry Mall in Newport News, Virginia, including Culture Shop, SAGE Beauty Lounge, Shoe Gods, Fitness 21, Body Bar and African Attractions
• Nearly a dozen businesses at the Mall at Prince George’s outside Washington, D.C., including Ebony Barbers, Secret of Essence, Lucy Africa, Tutu’s Hat Shop and Everything for Kids
• Stone Fired Pizza by Midici at the Cherry Hill Mall in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, along with Romulus Art Gallery, Hannah Marshall and Lavish Gems
• The Curing Room, Friendly Faces Barbershop and Emmerene International at the Francis Scott Key Mall in Frederick, Maryland
• Flashlight Barber and Chick-fil-A in Jacksonville Mall in Jacksonville, North Carolina
• Phoenix Beautiquee, My SZN Accessories and NKO Foundation in Plymouth Meeting Mall in Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania
• Foxy Ladies Boutique, Primetime Barbershop and Sweeter Than U at Magnolia Mall in Florence, South Carolina

“From music and movies to fragrances and designer clothing lines, our properties are focused on offering a wide selection of must-have brands for today’s discerning shopper,” Joseph F. Coradino, CEO of PREIT said. “Our properties are the heartbeat of their communities, and we strive to offer an experience as diverse as our customer base and enable our guests to make better-informed buying decisions while always supporting our tenancy at large.”