Commercial real estate Q&A: Dan O'Berski

DAN O'BERSKI
Managing Broker,
Trinity Commercial Group Inc.
Estero

Dan O'Berski formed Trinity Commercial Group in 2011, after more than a decade in the commercial real estate brokerage industry with companies such as CBRE Inc. and Naples Realty Services Inc. Although the firm has differentiated itself with expertise in retail sales and leasing, Trinity has of late expanded into the multifamily, office and land sectors. Last year, it completed 110 deals and increased its transactional volume by 50%. O'Berski, who has worked with tenants ranging from Wawa to Tijuana Flats, spoke recently to the Business Observer about trends in Southwest Florida retail and what the sector likely will experience in the year ahead.

Describe the retail marketplace in Southwest Florida at this point in the current cycle.
Retailers are continuing to expand, but they are being very particular about the locations they are choosing. They are conscious about co-tenancy and are preferring to go into proven markets rather than gamble on new ones. A lot of work that was done in the past two to three years is now coming to fruition here, resulting in openings by Chipotle, Starbucks, Wawa, Culver's and others. Large, major brands remain very active.