Wendy Bentkoski, CSM
President, Niche Retail Strategies, LLC
“Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things.
-- Peter Drucker
It takes the right combination of experience, knowledge and innovation to know how to craft winning strategies that break the mold and succeed. As one of the West Coast’s most respected property managers, Wendy Bentkoski has just the right arsenal of expertise to ensure superior leading edge strategies.
Combining extensive experience in every aspect of the industry with keen insights into the issues that affect developers of shopping centers and mixed use projects, as well as merchants and restaurateurs, she is uniquely qualified to consult from both an ownership and tenant perspective. Following a prestigious and highly successful career in property management, Wendy Bentkoski has established Niche Retail Strategies, LLC as a way to utilize her exceptional skills to create effective solutions in order to meet the needs of clients in the current economic climate.
A job well done is a job worth talking about and here are just a few examples of projects we are proud of:
Third Street Promenade - a popular nine (9) block downtown area in Santa Monica, California. Implemented and maintained programs for operation, restoration and revitalization. Designed a retail recruitment plan that resulted in leases with high profile and trendy retailers.
http://www.downtownsm.com/bbayside_district.html
Americana at Brand - grand opening of a $400 million mixed-use development by Caruso Affiliated set on 15.5 acres in Glendale, CA. The development features 375,000 sq. ft. of retail, comprised of 75 boutiques, an 18-screen cinema, 238 apartments and 100 condominium luxury residences.
http://www.americanaatbrand.com/
Two Rodeo Drive – Championed many capital improvement projects, worked closely with the merchants and the business community through the Beverly Hill Chamber of Commerce and the Rodeo Drive Committee to achieve success for this icon of the Beverly Hills shopping experience.
http://www.2rodeo.com/
Westside Pavilion – a 755,000 square foot shopping center, anchored at the time by Robinsons May and Nordstrom. At the onset of this assignment, the center suffered from years of deferred maintenance and a dated appearance. A plan was developed and a timeline initiated to repair and correct deficiencies, as well as supervising the coordination of construction on an $8.5 million interior renovation.
http://www.westsidepavilion.com/
Valencia Town Center – This 676,000 square foot regional shopping center was anchored by Robinson-May, JC Penney and Sears when Ms. Bentkoski served as general manager. Achievements included installation of an energy management system that reduced annual utility expenses by 20%, implementation of a strong tenant relations/appreciation program that strengthened tenant/landlord relations and oversight of a 60,000 square foot expansion of street retail on Town Center Drive.
Seventh Market Place at Citicorp Plaza – This 350,000 square foot regional shopping center is part of a mixed-use center in downtown Los Angeles. Accomplishments included creating and managing a multi million budget with seven cost centers, the Ann Taylor store’s 10-year lease renewal and expansion, 48,000 square feet in new and renewal leasing, a 10% expense reduction and a10% revenue increase. Plus, a revamped marketing campaign resulted in a 6% per square foot sales increase in a depressed market. Ms. Bentkoski also worked on the center’s public relations and advertising campaign with Hall & Company Marketing Partners, creating a holiday pet adoption with the SPCLA and Centinela Feed & Pet supplies and a weekly Farmer’s Market, both the first ever in a shopping center in Southern California.
“Wendy played a critical role in the early efforts to revitalize Downtown Santa Monica and Third Street Promenade. Wendy developed much of the initial marketing direction for the District and recognized the need for a development strategy and focused retail recruitment effort, where she and I worked closely together. I have worked with Wendy on other projects over the years and she has a great understanding of retail property operations, tremendous energy and is of the highest integrity.”
-- Rob York , President , York Consulting Group, LLC worked with Wendy at Bayside District – Third Street Promenade
“I have worked with Wendy Bentkoski on the Executive Committee when I was President of the Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce as well as the Rodeo Drive Committee and she brought vision, leadership and skills that were instrumental during a time of major transition at the Chamber. She was my right hand when selecting a new CEO for the Chamber and was always very supportive of enhancing the business community on Rodeo Drive and Beverly Hills as a whole.
-- Thomas J. Blumenthal, President – C.E.O., GEARYS Beverly Hills
