National chains bring familiarity—but local businesses bring soul. At Terra Alma, we believe vibrant downtowns are built on the character, creativity, and connection that local operators offer. They don’t just fill space—they build community, spark foot traffic, and turn visitors into regulars. We help cities curate places people truly want to be.

Discover the formula for attracting foot traffic to walkable downtowns. Learn how to turn visitors into regulars through smart retail curation, emotional connection, and community-driven design strategies from Terra Alma.

Discover the formula for attracting foot traffic to walkable downtowns. Learn how to turn visitors into regulars through smart retail curation, emotional connection, and community-driven design strategies from Terra Alma.

Downtown Charleston is in crisis — and it’s not just about rising rents or closing restaurants. It’s a warning for every city losing its walkability, small business community, and soul. As a retail strategist and placemaking consultant, I’m sounding the alarm: if we don’t protect what makes each city unique, we risk turning our neighborhoods into lifeless copies. Here’s what Charleston’s “downtown death spiral” teaches us — and how we can design cities that thrive through human connection, local culture, and walkable streets.

In every workplace, there is always space for potential collaboration! Does your office building have a currently vacant cafe? terra alma collaborates with office owners to reopen the café with a new operator not only to satisfy the appetites of your current tenants but also to attract new ones!

Edie discusses 3 key retail trends to create vibrant spaces: pop-ups, community focus, & unique experiences.

Want to transform your property into a thriving destination? Learn the art of curating the perfect tenant mix to attract the right tenants, enhance community connections, and boost profitability. From local gems to national favorites, we reveal the secrets to creating spaces that truly thrive. 🌟 Read more!

A condensed shopping period paired with an overwhelming abundance of choices forces stores and retailers to adopt a strategic approach to marketing and customer engagement.