When it comes to choosing a retail or service location, two factors consistently rise to the top of every tenant’s wish list — high foot traffic and ample parking. The challenge? These two rarely come in equal measure. At JR Mercantile Real Estate Advisors, we help tenants and landlords navigate this delicate balance to ensure a property’s long-term success.
The Allure of High Traffic Locations
There’s a reason tenants pay premiums for spaces in high-traffic corridors like 17th Avenue SW, Marda Loop, or Kensington. More people walking or driving by means more opportunities for visibility and spontaneous sales. For boutique retailers, cafés, and experiential concepts, this visibility is invaluable — often functioning as organic advertising that no billboard can replicate.
However, high-traffic areas often come with trade-offs: smaller footprints, higher operating costs, limited loading areas, and competitive parking. Understanding how these factors align (or conflict) with your operational model is key. A quick-service restaurant may thrive on constant movement, whereas a destination spa or clinic may struggle if customers can’t easily park.
The Case for Accessible Parking
While walkability drives exposure, parking drives convenience — and convenience builds loyalty. In Calgary, where most consumers rely on vehicles, parking availability remains a deciding factor for businesses like medical offices, salons, and family restaurants. Even one or two fewer parking stalls per 1,000 sq. ft. can impact customer retention, especially during winter months.
That’s why suburban retail nodes — from Quarry Park to Fairmount — continue to perform strongly. They offer predictable access, lower operating costs, and the flexibility for tenants to customize layouts and signage.
Finding the Sweet Spot
The right property strikes a balance between exposure and accessibility. A few guiding questions we ask clients include:
- Who is your target customer, and how do they typically arrive — by car, foot, or transit?
- How long does your average customer stay? (Short visits can tolerate tighter parking; longer visits cannot.)
- How critical is signage visibility compared to accessibility?
- Will your sales model depend on impulse traffic or repeat visits?
By answering these questions, tenants can identify whether they should prioritize a high-visibility main street location or a convenient destination-style plaza.
How JR Mercantile Helps
At JR Mercantile, our leasing strategies go beyond square footage and rent per sq. ft. We analyze traffic counts, parking ratios, customer behavior, and operational flow to match tenants with properties that best serve their business model — not just their budget. Our understanding of both landlord and tenant priorities allows us to find creative solutions that benefit both sides, such as shared parking agreements, signage optimization, or reconfigured layouts.
The best location isn’t simply the busiest one — it’s the one that aligns with your customer’s habits and your business’s operational needs. Whether you’re a retailer looking for visibility or a clinic seeking easy access for patients, JR Mercantile Real Estate Advisors helps you find the right fit.
