Rock Steps to Retail Wealth: Inside Andy Weiner’s Shopping Center Empire | Jake & Gino Poadcast
In this Jake and Gino episode, Andy Weiner, Founder of Rockstep Capital, shares his journey from family retail to transforming struggling malls. He reveals how his “Rock Steps” culture fuels performance, why retail is far from dead, and how local partnerships and positive leverage drive lasting success.
In this episode of the Jake and Gino Podcast, we dive deep into the world of retail real estate with Andy Weiner, Founder and President of Rockstep Capital. Andy shares how he transitioned from running a family clothing empire to revitalizing struggling malls in secondary and tertiary markets. Discover how his “Rock Steps” culture drives high performance, why retail isn’t dead, and how positive leverage and local community partnerships are the secret to sustainable success.
You’ll learn:
- Why the future of malls lies in mixed-use redevelopment
- How Andy secures non-recourse community bank loans
- The benefits of buying at a 15-cap and de-malling to an 8-cap
- The biggest mistakes new retail investors make
- The unique power of local investors and positive leverage
Whether you’re a seasoned multifamily investor or curious about diversifying into retail, this is a masterclass in spotting hidden value in overlooked markets.
📚 Learn more: https://rockstep.com
🎓 Visit Rockstep’s Learning Center: https://rockstep.com/learning-center/
Chapters:
00:00:00 – Introduction
00:04:08 – Family Business Struggles and Strategic Lesson
00:06:00 – Leadership at 32: Earning Respect and Setting Vision
00:07:53 – First Real Estate Deal: Assembling Land for Lowe’s
00:09:40 – Identifying Opportunity in Retail Real Estate
00:15:24 – The Vicksburg Model and Rockstep’s Track Record
00:23:51 – Top Investor Mistakes in Shopping Centers
00:25:20 – Has E-Commerce Killed Retail?
00:29:22 – “Rock Steps” Culture and Company-Wide Accountability
00:34:12 – Brick-and-Mortar + App + Distribution: The Retail Trifecta
00:46:28 – Tractor Supply Love & Market Size Criteria
00:48:04 – Gino Wraps it Up