2016 Women in Real Estate: Jacqueline Klinger

Jacqueline Klinger, SCG Retail

Name: Jacqueline Klinger

Title: Partner

Company Name: SCG Retail

Email: [email protected]

Years in real estate: 20

How did you get your start in real estate?

I began my real estate career at Jackson Ewing, working on the restoration of Grand Central Terminal in 1996.

What real estate associations or organizations are you a member of?

I am a member of REBNY and YMWREA (Young Men’s and Women’s Real Estate Association)

Telephone: (917) 757-5390

What recent project or transaction are you most proud of?

Of all the deals I have worked on, big and small, I am particularly excited about the Sugarfish deal. Sugarfish is one of Los Angeles’s most highly regarded and coolest Sushi bars and they have been looking in New York for over four years. I began working with them last spring and we secured an awesome location between Flatiron and Union Square across the street from Grammercy Tavern and in the neighborhood of other greats like ABC Kitchen. The Sugarfish team is one of the smartest groups I have worked with and I feel privileged to be a part of their bi-coastal expansion. Sugarfish currently has 10 locations in Los Angeles, and New Yorkers that know the brand cannot wait for them to open this fall.

For those that haven’t heard of Sugarfish, it was created by chef Kazunori Nozawa, and is the latest concept from Sushi Nozawa LLC, the Los Angeles based restaurant group also behind Nozawa Bar and KazuNori. Chef Nozawa is a traditional sushi master chef that shuns the trendy fusion sushi styles popular in the United States. For Chef Nozawa, it’s about simplicity and purity. They source the highest quality sushi available and serve it omakase style, meaning the chef chooses the meal based on what fish he felt was best that day at the market.

 Sugarfish’s opening will be one of this year’s most highly sought out events for foodies.

What recent honor, achievement or recognition has meant the most to you and why?

Chase and I were awarded Deal of the Year by the Real Estate Board of NY for our Whole Foods deal in Harlem. They are finally taking possession this month. This deal has particular significance because it is transforming the retail landscape of the neighborhood, and its bringing healthy, quality food to an area that was clearly underserved. I look forward to following Whole Foods with my other tenants. 

What is the best advice you have received and who was it from?

I was advised to always take risks and find ways to push my comfort zone both personally and professionally. David Firestein hired me when we were Northwest Atlantic. He’s been an inspiration and someone that I’ve relied upon as I started to develop my business. Having someone with that experience and reputation really accelerated my education in being able to get deals done. Now that we are part of the Shopping Center Group’s urban division, SCG Retail, David continues to be a person I rely upon for advice, guidance, and friendship.