Shake Shack continues to grab the dollars of Midwest diners

Struggling retailers grab the headlines today. This year, that means retailers such as Subway, Toys R Us and Rite Aid are in the news for all the stores they are closing. But what about those retailers that are thriving? There are plenty. They just don’t earn the big headlines.

Consider the case of Shake Shack, a fast-food shop known for, as its name suggests, its hamburgers and milkshakes. The retailer got its start in 2001 as a hot dog cart in Madison Square Park in Manhattan. In 2004, that hot dog cart became a permanent kiosk.

Customers loved it. And today? Shake Shack boast more than 165 locations. And these locations aren’t limited to the United States. The chain has locations in China, Japan, Turkey, Bahrain and Kuwait, among other international spots.

The secret to Shake Shack’s success? In one way, it’s simple: Diners love their burgers and shakes. But then there’s the experiential aspect. The most successful retailers today are the ones that offer something consumers can’t get anywhere else. It’s true that shoppers can find plenty of burger places. But there’s only one Shake Shack, and this means that every time the restaurant chain opens a new location it becomes big news.

As an example? Shake Shack is poised to open a new location at the Easton Town Center, a $225 million mixed-use complex just northeast of Columbus in Easton, Ohio. The new Shake Shack will be open here in early 2019.

This is a big win for Steiner + Associates, the property manager of the Easton Town Center. The Shake Shack will surely draw even more people to the mixed-use center.

“Shake Shack has gained a significant following,” said Anne Mastin, executive vice president of Steiner + Associates. “It’s a great compliment to Easton’s dining mix and best-in-class retail and entertainment uses.”

Mastin said that the restaurants in Easton account for more than $100 million in annual revenue. That figure will certainly go up with the addition of Shake Shack.

The 3,523-square-foot Shake Shack will feature an outdoor patio and seating for more than 100 guests. The Easton Town Center location will be built with recycled and sustainable materials. Booths will be made from lumer certified by the Forest Stewardship Council. Table tops will be made from reclaimed bowling alley lanes.

Easton Town Center will be Shake Shack’s second location in Ohio. The chain also has a location in the Pinecrest mixed-use district in Cleveland.