Visions for Vacancies: Build Your Dream Strip Mall

There's something interesting happening at the corner of Green Lake Road and Commerce Road, according to business owners who have grown to love the area in recent years.

"We've got kind of a creative thing going on," said owner Brandon Phillips. "We've got the two salons, and now we've got a cake place coming in, we've got a dry cleaners."

April and James Forbes are the newest tenants, having moved into the former home of Marty's Cookies and Bagels last year with plans to open The Cakeria on Monday. April said that the selection of shops specialize in the everyday needs of area families.

"The working family needs their clothes to get done, they need their hair to get done, they need to pick up some food," she said.

There is at least one prominent vacancy, at 6545 Commerce Rd., in the small strip mall, which is located just a few hundred years from a picturesque view of Green Lake. The location, on 3,600 square feet, is available for sale or lease, according to David Giltner of Signature Associates.

Giltner added that it could be either office or retail use, suggesting it would be a great office space for a marketing company.

owner Jung Cho said that whatever it be used as, she would just like to see it filled. Phillips agreed.

"At this point in our business, we just want to see everyone in the area do well," he said.

Other shops in the area include a second hair salon and a small grocery store with a Mediterranean theme.

You don't need to be a commercial developer or urban planner — or have money to invest in a business project — to have the next great idea. We want to hear about it.