Property of the Month: Heidenberg Properties celebrates 25th anniversary of the 299,000 s/f Southport Shopping Center in Shirley

Aerial view of Southport Shopping Center - Shirley, NY

Michael’s at Southport Shopping Center - Shirley, NY

Kohl’s at Southport Shopping Center - Shirley, NY

Stop & Shop at Southport Shopping Center - Shirley, NY

Shirley, NY The 25^th anniversary celebration of Southport Shopping Center, one of Suffolk  County’s most successful shopping destinations, continues as owner/operator Heidenberg Properties Group recognizes the major expansion that this vibrant retail mecca has undergone throughout the years. Although some of the tenants have changed at the 999 Montauk Hwy. location, the fully leased shopping center continues to dominate the marketplace.

The principals of Heidenberg Properties Group developed Southport Shopping Center from the ground up, opening to the public in 1990 with original anchors Caldor and Waldbaum’s. Over the years, Heidenberg has proactively evolved the retail mix to stimulate growth as the center expanded from 207,000 to 299,000 s/f.

The first major expansion was the addition of a 33,000 s/f Sears Hardware in 1998. In 2000, Kohl’s replaced Caldor, adding an additional 10,000 s/f. Three years later, a 24,000 s/f strip of smaller stores was built, bringing Sleepy’s, Famous Footwear, Bank of America, and Lane Bryant to the center. In 2008, Waldbaum’s gave way to Stop & Shop, and a new 25,000 s/f Marshalls was constructed on the site as well. The former Sears Hardware was subdivided in 2014 and now is home to Modell’s and Michaels. Finally, 2014-15 also saw the addition of Kay Jewelers and Dressbarn.

Today, Southport Shopping Center is 100% leased, with 67% of existing GLA maturing in 2024 or later. Kohl’s, a top-performer on Long Island, recently exercised its 10-year option, which started in January 2016. Other tenants, which include LeMarc Cards, Strathmore Bagels, and Weight Watchers, have all been in the center since it opened in 1990. Several tenants including Petland, Kohl’s, and Marshalls are among the top performers in their regions.

“These tenants and their successes are a testament to our reinvestment efforts, which included a façade renovation last year and ongoing commitment to finding and supporting the best, most relevant retailers,” said Ken Simon, VP of real estate. “By embracing the concept that the only constant in retail is change, we continue to make Southport and the balance of our portfolio prosper.”

Heidenberg Properties Group is a full-service real estate development company that owns and operates over 2 million s/f of retail space concentrated in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Vermont, and Michigan. Their portfolio includes large regional shopping centers, neighborhood properties, as well as single-tenant assets. Heidenberg Properties is currently re-tenanting and expanding its Lake Plaza Shopping Center in Mahopac and recently named Stop & Shop as its new anchor. In addition, the company’s Berlin Mall in Central Vermont will open a new freestanding Kohl’s this March. Expansion plans are also underway at the Hershey Square Shopping Center in Hummelstown, PA, while The Plaza at Hauppauge, recently saw the addition of Dollar Tree and several new tenants.

Heidenberg Properties Group is actively seeking new acquisitions and development opportunities.