ICSC Says Malls Still Have a Future

For more than four decades Elliot Feuerstein has served as an officer of Mira Mesa Shopping Center, where he has primarily been responsible for overseeing a number of San Diego, CA, area shopping centers. Active in his industry outside of his everyday professional work, Elliot Feuerstein is a longtime member of the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC).

The ICSC recently released a report dispelling the myth that retail shopping centers have lost the ability to attract and maintain loyal customers, especially among younger demographics. Over a three-month period earlier this year, more than 160 million Americans visited shopping malls, with more than a third of that figure (60 million) consisting of millennial shoppers. Additionally, 61 percent of surveyed adults say they plan to continue visiting brick-and-mortar storefronts to conduct the bulk of their shopping. 

According to ICSC President and CEO Tom McGee, these figures and other key data points show that, while some malls may be closing, the notion that the entire concept of the mall is going by the wayside is unfounded. As shopping trends among consumers evolve, the malls that evolve with them are proving that they can still capture strong retail traffic.

Youth Tennis San Diego After-School Programs

Elliot Feuerstein graduated from UCLA before embarking on his career in real estate development. In addition to serving as an officer of Mira Mesa Shopping Center in San Diego, Elliot Feuerstein works with his community by supporting organizations such as Barnes Tennis Center, which is operated by Youth Tennis San Diego (YTSD).

Since 1997, Barnes Tennis Center has provided the young people of San Diego with a place to learn, play, and watch the game of tennis. Both the center and YTSD have emerged as models for youth tennis programs around the country by offering innovative community initiatives such as After School Tennis.

Scheduled in five, six-week sessions throughout the year, After School Tennis offers beginner-level tennis lessons to elementary and middle-school students. The training sessions take place in neighborhood locations, making attendance easy for children, and scholarships are available for those who are disadvantaged. YTSD provides all the necessary equipment. To learn more about the program, visit www.barnestenniscenter.com.

Barnes Tennis Center Supports Youth Tennis Programs

A commercial real estate developer, Elliot Feuerstein has worked on a number of major retail projects, including Mira Mesa Shopping Center. A dedicated philanthropist, Elliot Feuerstein has contributed to the creation of multiple community organizations, including Barnes Tennis Center, a facility that provides a range of programming for young people of all skill levels to train, compete, and have fun.

Barnes Tennis Center offers tennis instruction for adults through morning clinics and evening classes. Adults who want to learn to play tennis can become Friends of the Barnes Center by giving a $100 monthly tax-deductible donation. 

Friends of the Barnes Center can attend a free adult tennis clinic each week and use the facility with no court fees. Friends also receive 20-percent discounts on merchandise and racquet services as well as additional discounts on social activities. More importantly, the monthly donation supports children’s programming at the tennis center.

Barnes Tennis Center Offers Programs for Students of Varying Ages

Elliot Feuerstein is an experienced San Diego shopping center developer who also has served on the board of several organizations, including the Sharp Hospital Foundation Board. Elliot Feuerstein also was part of the effort to raise money for the Barnes Tennis Center, a children’s tennis education center in San Diego. 

The Barnes Tennis Center offers a Junior Aces introductory tennis program for preschool-age children from 3 years old to 5 years old. The program emphasizes the philosophy that children learn best through multisensory, kinesthetic activities that encourage them to explore their bodies through movement and play. Tennis lessons are combined with more structured academic classes, so children get to take part in a range of developmentally appropriate educational and recreational activities.

In addition the preschool program, the Barnes Tennis Center offers homework assistance through the Youth Tennis San Diego program. The on-site library provides an ideal place to study as well as plentiful resources on tennis history and other subjects.

Elliot Feuerstein - Officer of Mira Mesa Shopping Center

A real estate development professional with decades of experience in the San Diego area, Elliot Feuerstein is an officer of Mira Mesa Shopping Center. Since 1982, he has developed and operated the large commercial center, coordinating efforts with major tenants such as Vons, Starbusks, Walgreens, Target, and Carl’s Jr. Working closely with architects to finalize designs for various projects at the shopping center, Elliot Feuerstein collaborated with general contractors to build the structure and played a central role in the project’s municipal permit and approval process, contacting lenders and securing financing.

Before assuming his current role, Elliot Feuerstein co-founded Mira Mesa Nursery, one of the first retail businesses operating in the community. He learned about the real estate business from his father, with whom he worked on a number of real estate projects early on in his career.

Feuerstein possesses a bachelor of science in political science from UCLA. He supports community organizations such as the American Red Cross and Boy Scouts of America.