Neighborhood Builder - Memphis / Shawn E. Massey, CCIM, CRRP, ALC

08/13/2026

Think you know the zoning? Think again.
A great CRE broker doesn't just know the property—they know the code, the planner, the entitlement process, and the market.
Because sometimes the biggest threat to a good deal isn't the market.
It's the zoning code you didn't read. 😬
New CRE Professor blog: “The CRE Broker’s Secret Weapon: Know the Zoning Code—and Know the Planner.”

Why understanding the code is only half the job—and understanding how your city thinks may be the other half. For the past several weeks, I have been part of a task force reviewing a proposed new zoning ordinance in our city.

08/10/2026

🚨NEW LISTING🚨

A rare second-gen restaurant opportunity is now available at 4030 Singleton Pkwy 🍕➡️🍔🌮

This former Pizza Hut features 3,509 SF, a drive-thru, and unbeatable visibility along a major retail corridor near Kroger, Walmart, Walgreens, and Methodist North Hospital. Plus, it offers direct access to Millington Naval Air Station and strong daily traffic counts.

Perfect for QSR, fast casual, coffee, or franchise concepts looking to plug into an established restaurant space and open fast.

📍 4030 Singleton Pkwy
🚗 Drive-thru included
📈 High traffic location
🔑 Second-gen restaurant space ready for its next operator

For more information, contact:
📞 Shawn Massey – 901.334.5702
📧 [email protected]

📞 Sidney Seale – 901.252.1039
📧 [email protected]

08/07/2026

Ever notice how some tenant reps seem to know everything about a market... while others only know what LoopNet told them?

Here's a little secret:

🏢 The best tenant reps don't just search the market... they drive it.

Online research is where every assignment should begin—but it should never be where it ends.

You can't smell a struggling restaurant from Google Maps.

You can't see tomorrow's opportunity from a spreadsheet.

And LoopNet has never pointed out the hidden gem that's about to become your client's next great location.

The windshield still beats the spreadsheet.

In my latest CRE Professor blog, I explain why elite tenant reps still wear out tires instead of just computer mice—and why physically driving a market remains one of the biggest competitive advantages in commercial real estate.

🚗 Sometimes the best deal isn't online... it's waiting around the next corner.

One of the smartest pieces of commercial real estate advice I ever received didn't come from a CCIM class, a brokerage conference, or a billion-dollar institutional investor. It came from my boss's father, Walter Utley.

08/05/2026

🚨 RETAIL SPACE ALERT – LAMAR CROSSING | MEMPHIS, TN 🚨

Retailers, take note! This is your chance to claim a spot in one of the most active shopping destinations on the Lamar Corridor—a thriving retail artery connecting Midtown Memphis to the Mississippi state line.

🔥 Available Now:
➡️ Inline spaces from 1,200 SF to 4,578 SF – flexible options for fashion, beauty, quick-serve, or service-oriented users.

🛍️ Be where the action is:
Join a powerful mix of national and regional brands like:
• Madrag
• City Gear
• City Trends
• Ashley Stewart
• Shoe Show
• Rainbow
• Dollar Tree

🌟 Why Choose Lamar Crossing?
• Dominant shopping center on the Lamar corridor
• Heavy daily traffic counts and great visibility
• In the heart of a dense, residential trade area
• Proven draw for fashion, footwear, beauty, and discount retailers
• Excellent signage & easy access for customers
💡 If your brand serves the everyday shopper and thrives in high-traffic environments, this is the place to be.

🚀 Spaces are limited and demand is high—move fast!

📞 Let’s talk today:

Shawn Massey
📱 (901) 461-7070
📧 [email protected]

Sidney Seale
📱 (901) 598-4442
📧 [email protected]

08/05/2026

The August 4 permit filing details a total building area of 87,714 square feet across three stories, standing 52 feet tall. Plans also include a basement parking garage and surface parking.

More details 👉t.ly/Khx6N

08/05/2026

Nice article on downtown Memphis from Toby!

Everyday choices of Downtown’s 100,000 daily population determine the strength of the area’s vibrancy.

08/04/2026

📍 Big-Box Retail Opportunity in East Memphis – Summer Commons!

Looking for a high-visibility retail location in one of Memphis’ strongest trade corridors? Summer Commons offers a rare opportunity to lease large-format retail space in a premier East Memphis location!

🏬 Available Spaces:
• 41,534 SF Big-Box Space Available
• 2,708 SF Inline Suite Available
• Strong Co-Tenancy with Northern Tool, City Thrift, Dollar Tree & More

📍 Prime Location Highlights:
• Directly adjacent to the I-40 & I-240 interchange
• Positioned on the corner of N White Station Rd & Summer Ave
• Excellent traffic counts:
• N White Station Rd – 37,154 ADV, Summer Ave – 21,832 ADV

🛍️ Surrounded by Major Retailers Including:
• TJ Maxx
• Kroger
• Aldi
• Chick-fil-A
• Starbucks
• Chipotle
• Five Below
• Lowe’s & more

This is a rare chance to secure space in a high-traffic retail corridor with outstanding accessibility and established national retailers nearby.

📍 Summer Commons
5124 Summer Ave, Memphis, TN 38122

📞 Interested? Let’s Connect!
Shawn Massey – (901) 334-5702 | [email protected]
Sidney Seale – (901) 252-1039 | [email protected]

08/03/2026

🔥 Big Box Retail & Auto Space Now Available – Memphis, TN 🔥

An incredible leasing opportunity is now available at the former Sears Retail & AutoShop at 📍 2800 N Germantown Pkwy, Memphis, TN 38133.

This high-visibility retail destination offers massive square footage, strong co-tenancy, and direct access to one of Memphis’ busiest retail corridors.

🏢 Property Highlights:
✔️ Two-level 150,085 SF big box with mall access
✔️ Parking lot situated on 10± acres
✔️ Approximately 25,035 SF currently available on the lower level
✔️ Primark has leased 54,656 SF on the lower level
✔️ LuluLand Adventure Park has leased 75,000 SF on the upper level

🚗 Unmatched Visibility & Traffic:
📍 Interstate 40 – 97,384 AADT
📍 Germantown Parkway – 30,448 AADT
📍 US Highway 64 / Stage Rd – 29,218 AADT

🛍️ Positioned in one of Memphis’ strongest retail trade areas, this site offers exceptional exposure, accessibility, and synergy with surrounding national retailers and entertainment uses.

📞 For leasing information, contact:
Shawn Massey – 901.334.5702 | [email protected]
Sidney Seale – 901.252.1039 | [email protected]

08/03/2026

Read about what tenant is planned to join the newly redeveloped Watertower Place retail center on Forest Irene Road in Germantown. See link below ⬇️

📸 Corey Davis/The Commercial Appeal

07/31/2026

🏆 Every new CRE broker wants the six-figure commission...

But here's the problem...

Most are trying to hit a home run before they've learned how to hit a single. ⚾

I see it all the time.

A broker who's been in the business for three weeks is chasing a million-square-foot requirement...
..while ignoring the 1,500 SF coffee shop, the 2,000 SF office lease, or the neighborhood investor looking to buy their first retail strip.

Here's the irony...

The brokers who become known for closing the small deals are usually the ones who end up getting the BIG deals.

Why?

Because clients don't hire brokers based on how big their last transaction was.

They hire brokers who have a reputation for getting transactions across the finish line.

After more than 40 years in commercial real estate, I still get excited about helping a client lease a 750 SF ice cream shop.

Why?

Because every deal matters.

Every client matters.

And every closing builds your reputation.

Stop swinging for the fences.

✅ Hit the single.

✅ Learn the game.

✅ Become a Deal Maker.

The home runs will come.

What's the smallest deal you've ever completed that unexpectedly led to a much bigger opportunity?

I'd love to hear your story in the comments.

There is something about becoming a commercial real estate broker that immediately convinces otherwise rational people that they should start chasing whales. Day One.