Are you wondering what to do with your empty retail space? Maybe you have waited months or even years for your commercial space to become profitable, and it’s starting to seem unlikely. Or, perhaps you are just looking for creative and unique ways to repurpose your retail space.

Regardless of the circumstances, if you own empty storefronts or other commercial spaces, you might consider nontraditional tenancy. There are plenty of business ideas for empty retail spaces that don’t involve traditional selling but are still profitable.

Whether you’re a property owner, a city planner or an entrepreneur, there is real potential to turn idle space into something valuable. Let’s explore some alternative uses for retail spaces.

Creative Solutions for Vacant Retail Space

A recent report from Slate Magazine reveals that the retail space demand has been dropping for over a decade. There are many reasons for the decline, including online shopping and retail-focused city zoning. Vacant spaces are not good for business. So, how can you rethink them into other profitable ventures? Tap into these ideas for empty commercial spaces.

1. Coworking Spaces

According to the 2024 global and regional occupancy data by JLL, 87% of organizations globally have implemented a hybrid work style and 50% want to extend their hybrid programs in the next three years. This shift in work flexibility has contributed to vacant commercial spaces but is also influencing changes in real estate and planning.

You can tap into the new trend by converting empty office spaces into modern coworking arrangements that cater to everyone’s needs, from entrepreneurs and freelancers to part-time employees.

With remote and hybrid work on the rise, different professionals are seeking flexible workplaces, and you can meet that demand with minimal renovation. Companies are also looking to cut costs by letting go of permanent office spaces and hopping on the coworking space trend.

Remember, a successful coworking facility requires a complete shift from the traditional desk-and-chair office setup. You want to design a practical and attractive space with a blend of casual and professional to appeal to different customers.

2. Mixed-Use Development

Another smart approach to consider for your vacant retail space is mixed-use development. MUDs integrate commercial, residential and retail spaces into one community or building. According to J.P. Morgan, MUDs are an ideal setup to invest in, as they are becoming increasingly popular.

You can combine residential units with commercial elements like cafes or mini-marts. However, it does not have to be centered around retail spaces. You can also incorporate recreational facilities within your mixed-use development. If there are many residential units, consider adding recreational facilities such as indoor trampoline parks, climbing walls and mini golf.

Through quality design and execution, MUDs can turn a struggling retail space into a vibrant area that attracts tenants and promotes foot traffic.

3. Indoor Playgrounds for Kids

Playgrounds are a magnet for families, and they are not strictly outdoors anymore. Today, indoor playgrounds are common and have transformed how kids play, eliminating the challenge of weather conditions. Convert your open retail space into an indoor playground or something more hybrid like a play cafe, which caters to parents as well — allowing them to dine or relax while their kids burn off energy.

When creating indoor playgrounds, consider the following elements for an attractive play space:

• Themed playgrounds, such as jungle, underwater and space
• Animal-shaped foam structures
• Obstacle courses
• Interactive sensory walls and panels
• Climbing towers
• Spiral slides
• Mini ball pits or foam block pits
• Crawl tunnels
• Balance beams
• Parent seating areas
• Educational and interactive elements for kids

A well-designed soft-play attraction can significantly boost foot traffic in malls and turn underused areas into lively destinations. These spaces encourage longer visits, repeat traffic and a more vibrant atmosphere, which supports the community and surrounding businesses. Partner with Soft Play®, the leading provider of contained playground equipment. You will gain access to industry-leading solutions capable of revitalizing empty storefronts and creating memorable experiences for families.

4. Family-Friendly, Fun Activities

If you have a large vacant space inside a shopping center or any other commercial building, consider creating an entertainment area designed for the entire family.

Think of a bowling alley if there are none in the shopping mall. If you have enough space, consider an indoor tennis or basketball court. A trampoline with basketball hoops can be a fun activity that keeps families coming back for more. Other family-friendly business ideas you can try include:

• Gaming lounge: We have mostly moved on from arcade gaming, but gaming is still a vibrant activity that appeals to people of all ages. Establishing a modern gaming center can be an excellent way to repurpose your space and attract families.
• Go-kart track: Go-karting is one of the top activities for families and is well-loved by kids. Granted, you need plenty of space to set up tracks. However, many retail spaces have popularized indoor go-karting with the help of design techniques that maximize space.
• Escape rooms: Family-friendly escape rooms are a growing trend, and you can tap into the opportunity to set one up in your commercial space. Think of them as mini theme parks that fit in limited indoor spaces, featuring fun adventures and challenges appropriate for different age groups.

5. An Interactive STEM Learning Zone

If your commercial building or vacant area is located within a community zone, consider setting up an interactive STEM learning center. It is an innovative and engaging way to fill a vacant retail space.

The ideas associated with STEM learning centers are endless. Think robotic labs, engineering challenges, interactive play walls with math-based games, coding workshops and science experiments. All these can be designed into something fun for the kids, creating a space that’s both educational and entertaining.

A well-thought-out STEM learning area can be an attractive destination for a diverse client base, like schools looking for out-of-class learning experiences or parents seeking fun learning opportunities for their kids.

Transforming Vacant Retail Space Into Community Hubs

Besides the creative angle, another approach is to turn vacant storefronts and retail spaces into spots that cater to the entire community. If executed correctly, this strategy could convert an idle space in a shopping center into an essential part of the neighborhood.

If you are in charge of a vacant mall space or storefront, here are ideas for creating a community hub.

1. Art and Culture Centers

You can repurpose vacant retail spaces into galleries, art studios and cultural exhibits. There are many avenues to exhibit art, including hosting permanent art pieces, bringing in temporary works, hosting established and emerging artists, and projecting live shows.

Of course, you cannot hold an art exhibition in just any space, especially if the vision is to become an authority in the community. You need to creatively redesign that space so that it will be a local favorite and a tourist magnet.

While not on the list of top shopping center attractions, an art and culture nook can be a great way to foster a sense of community and support local works. Instead of yet another store, repurpose the space for something more community-centric, like a cultural exhibit.

Hosting art exhibitions or events can create consistent foot traffic in shopping centers, which benefits the real estate owner, the business owner and other nearby shops.

2. History Museums

Another great way to get involved in the community is to create a history museum that hosts exhibits of the city. This is an excellent opportunity for kids and adults to learn about their community’s history.

Some things you can integrate into the history museum include:

• Interactive exhibits.
• Figurines of prominent locals and their contributions to society.
• Temporary exhibits of movies, video games, toys or other aspects of pop culture.
• A timeline wall that maps the city’s growth through key events.

A history museum is a smart way to bring your space to life, connect with the community and keep people coming through the doors.

3. Event Venues and Pop-Up Markets

Event venue ideas are numerous, depending on community events in your neighborhood. Think of local festivals, kids’ book-reading events, Christmas markets, scavenger hunts, outdoor movie nights and Easter egg hunts. These events are a great way to support local businesses and interact with local communities meaningfully.

Transforming a retail space into a venue for local events or a pop-up market is also a smart way to maintain income consistency and increase foot traffic. As a developer or building owner, assess your space, particularly the layout, capacity and available facilities. Pop-up stores open the space to seasonal inventory, artisan products, galleries and more.

4. Brand Activation Spaces

If you have a vacant retail space in a mall, consider transforming it into a brand activation space. A brand activation space is an area where companies put up temporary in-person experiences to connect with customers. The experience can involve activities such as sampling the products, demos, running sales or educating the public on what they have to offer.

You can redesign your open retail space to create a unique and appealing front that leaves a lasting impression on brands. This is an especially great strategy if other brands already occupy the commercial building, as that makes the space more attractive to companies.

5. Fitness Studios and Wellness Centers

To meet the constant demand for fitness facilities, you can transform a vacant mall space into a yoga studio or a wellness center. Fitness spaces generate a steady revenue stream while contributing to the community’s well-being. You can design a space for yoga, dance or Pilates lessons.

Fitness centers attract people of all ages driven by the need to get fit or find others who share common interests. Large retail spaces are ideal for fitness areas since these centers do not have demanding design elements apart from adequate space. For the community, a wellness or fitness center can be a popular meetup hub, which, in turn, generates consistent profits for the real estate owner.

6. Content Creation Studios

There is so much potential to tap into in the content creation industry. With that vacant retail space, you can create a studio where influencers, podcasters and other creatives come to produce their content. Your clientele could range from brands looking for aesthetic spaces to develop content for their digital marketing strategies to independent influencers looking for spaces to create content or collaborate with other creators.

There are numerous opportunities to explore in this niche. Think podcast booths, video recording spaces and editing suites. You could also incorporate an area where podcasters and influencers can host meet-and-greets with their fans or where photographers can carry out photo shoots.

Benefits of Repurposing Retail Spaces

Repurposing vacant retail spaces breathes new life into them. Beyond aesthetics, repurposing your retail space can generate revenue in unique ways, such as:

Economic Revitalization

Repurposing vacant retail spaces can significantly increase property value, especially in areas with mixed-use development settings. These areas provide residents and consumers with the convenience of living, working and having recreational facilities in the same location. If well-executed, this convenience can go a long way toward increasing the property’s value.

Brands and businesses are always looking for spaces with consistent foot traffic. Creating recreational facilities that constantly attract families can be a great way to encourage other companies to lease vacant spots within the shopping center.

Repurposing retail spaces provides direct benefits to you as the space owner or manager. However, creating family-friendly zones, for example, boosts the entire community economically by drawing customers to other businesses as well.

Community Engagement

As a physical business, nothing pays off better than fostering lasting relationships with residents. To enhance your involvement and connection with the local community, you can transform vacant spaces into areas that unite the community.

By becoming part of the community, you’re not just filling a vacant retail space — you’re creating a destination that people want to visit and engage with regularly.

Partner With Soft Play for Innovative Solutions

Rethink your vacant space into something with higher economic potential and integrate your business into the local community. If you are already considering going the unconventional way, get creative and find ways to incorporate new ideas, such as mixed-use structures, coworking facilities and family-centric spaces like playgrounds.

Indoor play areas can be an excellent solution to revitalize your space and make it more profitable. Soft Play offers over 40 years of industry experience in creating play areas that work for businesses, parents and kids. With our innovative play areas, you have a wealth of viable ideas to explore to find the perfect match for your space.

Work alongside our team of engineers and designers to help give back much-needed life to your empty retail space. Contact Soft Play today for personalized guidance.