As the pandemic nears its end, many employers are searching for new commercial spaces in which to conduct business. Whether they’re increasing their inventory, hiring more team members or trying to reach a wider audience, they’ll likely need a bigger, better property. 

If you’re in the same boat, you’re probably wondering whether you should buy or build your next commercial space. Luckily, you can gain more insight by taking a closer look at the challenges that come with each option. Understanding and preparing for these potential hurdles will help you make the best decision for you, your employees and your customers. 

Challenges of Buying 

Whether they’re in need of office space, warehouse facilities or a storefront, most employers will start their search by perusing existing commercial spaces. While doing so may be simpler and more affordable at the offset, buying a commercial property also comes with its fair share of challenges.

Limited Locations  

Building your own commercial property allows you to choose an ideal site location. However, those who purchase commercial real estate must choose from a limited number of buildings in pre-determined locations.

If the customer base is local, this means finding a building within close proximity to your target audience. Maybe you even want it to be within walking distance. Of course, finding a building that checks these boxes may be quite the challenge when you only have so many to choose from. 

Building Classifications

Building classifications will also play a major role in choosing the right commercial property for your business. For instance, in a metropolitan setting, you’ll find Class A, B and C buildings.

Those with a higher rating often include high-quality finishes and come with the least amount of risk, while those with a C classification have the highest level of risk and less competitive ability. Industrial buildings and retail stores have their own designations, too, so it’s wise to look into each one’s classification before signing a lease. 

Condition and Design

Employers who are looking for high-quality buildings with a certain design might be better off building from the ground up. That’s because these kinds of properties are far and few between, especially if you have a specific layout in mind.

Eventually, you’ll likely have to settle for a building that fails to check all of your boxes. Then, you’ll spend the next few months — and a fair chunk of the budget – remodeling, which costs an average of $200 per square foot. 

Challenges of Building

If you decide that the challenges of finding and buying a commercial property are simply too great, you might opt to build your own instead. Of course, designing and constructing your space will allow for more customization and optimization. However, this option still comes with risks and challenges you may have failed to consider. 

Construction Delays 

Construction errors and subsequent repairs will result in construction delays. Material and labor shortages, a lack of personal protective equipment like masks and even inclement weather can also delay the project.

For instance, if temperatures creep into the 90s, concrete can set in two-and-a-half hours. If the team forgot to bring dampening substrate, they may have to postpone the job. Their poor planning will cause non-excusable delays, which could push back the completion date and cost you more time and money in the long run.

Building and Design Errors 

No matter how well you plan or how clear your blueprints are, you’ll inevitably have to deal with building and design errors. Construction workers are human, after all, so they’re bound to make a few mistakes.

Unfortunately, those mistakes can be incredibly costly to fix and, if you’re stuck with a bad contractor, you might have to foot the repair bill. Moreover, if workers don’t build something to code, an inspector could fine you and require reconstruction even after the project is complete. 

Unforeseen Expenses 

From sudden increases in material costs to bug and rodent infestations, there are a number of things that could go wrong and increase construction costs.

These unforeseen expenses can force you to take out a loan or halt construction altogether if you don’t have the money to pay for them. Therefore, it’s important to leave some wiggle room in the budget to cover emergencies and any unfortunate surprises that you may encounter along the way. 

Weighing Your Options 

There are few things more exciting than growing your business. However, it’s important to weigh your options and compare the pros and cons before deciding to build or buy.

Which options will best support your company as it grows and expands? As long as you put employees and customers first, you’re bound to make the right choice. 

I bet most women have experienced violence at some point in their life, verbal or physical, or at least know someone who has. I am no exception. This is why I became involved with the Roses Against Violence project. I like that it’s presented in a beautiful, artistic way using crocheted roses. I commend founders Claudia Grünzweig, Barbara Connert-McDonaugh, and Isabella Reinwald for bringing awareness to this challenging epidemic.

Project background

When I learned recently that the long time saint in my life was not always thus, it took me a moment to process the reality that my exemplar had feet of clay. My love for her was such that I never allowed for human weaknesses or vulnerabilities to filter her shining light.

But it was clear she had a past, and a relative from that time who lived it by her side was an artful narrator of the flaws that spoke to the truth. I had been blind to many events that did not support the picture I wanted painted. I had been wearing blinders, able only to see things one way, unable to consider other possibilities.

The realization led to a revelation. Flaws and all, I did not love her less. She still was wonderful. A wonderful human being. A human being, not a goddess.

It was a relief in a way, to accept that no person is perfect and that we all have flaws and a past that is not absent indiscretion and lapse of judgement. I was forced to take a step back and see events with a new perspective… and a revised definition of what it means to love someone; accepting them for who they are, with their good and bad sides, for there is no such thing as a perfect person.

I confess to being somewhat chagrined; I am so far down the road to have come to that understanding! But it shows that growing as a person, changing things about ourselves and learning something new, isn’t limited to a certain time of life. If we stay open to change, keep an open mind, the learning process continues, be you a Boomer or a nonagenarian. When the student is ready, the teacher will come!

For me, learning to accept and love people for who they are, there is a significant side effect. Accepting the flaws in my “saint” opens my eyes to how unforgiving I have been to my “whipping boy.”  Just as I fantasized a loved one who did no wrong, so too there is a loved one in my life that can do no right.

A harsh reality has broken through my self-righteousness, it is I who provides the negative vibe, tuned in as I am to the flaws rather than the attributes, unseen because unconsciously I am trying to make her into the idealized person that doesn’t exist. I must make amends. And I will do so immediately.

Life flows on. We do not stop learning. Within us there is room, copious room for love. We are not dead yet!

*Quote by Mary Karr, author of “The Liars Club”

Calling all cheesecake lovers. How would you like to win FREE cheesecake for a year? Eli’s Cheesecake, a Chicago original for 41 years, is celebrating National Cheesecake Day with a citywide treasure hunt and free cheesecake. Mark you calendar for July 30–National Cheesecake Day. And Eli’s Cheesecakes 41st birthday. But the fun begins on July 26th. THE CONTEST Win a year of Eli’s Cheesecake  Starting Monday, July 26th, follow Eli’s Instagram account @elischeesecake, comment on our National Cheesecake Day Kickoff post, and tag three friends to enter. (The winner will be announced on Friday, July 30th, and will receive an Eli’s Cheesecake every month for one year, beginning in August).   THERE’S MORE Eli’s Chicago-Style treasure hunt.  In partnership with Choose Chicago, Eli’s will be hiding ten $41 gift cards to Eli’s Cheesecake World at iconic Chicago locations on Friday, July 30th.  Hints will be dropped on Eli’s Instagram story and TikTok @elischeesecake throughout the day. Free cheesecake will be available at Eli’s Cheesecake’s World (6701 W. Forest Preserve Drive in Chicago) on National Cheesecake Day, Friday, July 30th, 11 AM- 1 PM (once slice per customer, while supplies last) and at the Eli M. Schulman Playground at Seneca Park (220 East Chicago Avenue in Chicago) from 3 PM-5 PM.   BIRTHDAY WEEK SPECIALS Want it delivered to your door? Visit shop.elicheesecake.com from July 26-30, where there will be a special deal every day. Monday: 15% off Original Plain Cheesecake,  Tuesday: 15% off Cheesecake Cuties, the perfect bite-sized treat invented by Eli’s granddaughter Elana. Wednesday: A portion of the day’s sales will benefit The Happiness Club, a not-for-profit arts youth education program on Chicago’s Southside. Thursday: 15% all cheesecake samplers.  WHAT IS CHICAGO-STYLE CHEESECAKE IN 1980, Restaurateur Eli Schulman declared cheesecake as the signature dessert for his legendary Chicago steakhouse, Eli’s The Place For Steak. By breaking all the rules of traditional cheesecake baking (fast bake, high heat, no water bath) he created “Chicago Style” cheesecake: richer and creamier than its NY counterpart, baked on an all-butter shortbread cookie crust. Still family-owned, Eli’s hand makes and decorates all of its cheesecakes and desserts at Eli’s Cheesecake World on Chicago’s northwest side.

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Welcome back, Houndmouth, it’s been a while. “Cool Jam” is a slower manifesto, but it’s full of passion and honesty. The same goes for “Good For You,” which reminds me of Bob Dylan and the 60’s folk scene.

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Atmosphere, the cool combo of Ant (DJ) and Slug (MC), returns this week with an EP entitled Woes. It seems like the boys have hit a stride releasing new music, and Word?, their next full length is due out October 8th, 2021.

I was about to order the vinyl when I just found out that all three color variations, even the black, are sold out!? Ugh.

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My favorite cut of the week is from the Dirty Heads featuring Aimee Interrupter, of The Interrupters, and Travis Barker, who is basically on every new release these days. It’s absolute fire, and Amy you had me at the hook, “I still got rage,” too, and it eats me up from the inside. But, shit, I’ll be damned if Jared steals the show right back with his incredible first verse.

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Check out the last line of verse two where Amy and Duddy harmonize on the line, “Soundsystem take me away!” I’m going to go on record and say it’s the best single of the year this far, and possibly the best video too!

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“Shot In The Dark” is the latest single from John Mayer, taken from his 8th proper release, Sob Rock. The cover is ripped from the ’80s and Mayer has a smoldering stare reminiscent of Rick Springfield. It’s a retro cover that the older generations will get a kick out of. Either way, my first listen is favorable.

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“Cloak & Dagger” is high-brow hip hop that sees some of Sam Lachow’s best lines being spit over a simple beat that affords the listener full focus. “Get-get-get down, bent-bent-bent knees/Collecting the hand-me-downs of recipes/I was raised on Will and Grace, and Westwing. Now we selling Debra Messing, text me.” This is a hot joint that deserves playlist status.

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This take of Bob Marley’s “Stir It Up” is one of the best live versions around. There’s a cool intro jam that takes place before Marley’s beautiful voice comes in and that is the main reason I’ve added it to this week’s Release Radar.

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Your Jazz Cut Of The Week comes from none other than Pat Methany, and it’s a near 14-minute journey called “It Starts When We Disappear.” Side-Eye NYC (V1.IV) is his latest effort due out for release on September 10, 2021. Rumor is he’s brought in some of the freshest jazz talents in the business, aka, the young guns.

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His team may have been predicted to finish last in the seven-team Ohio Valley Conference this fall, but Eastern Illinois head coach Adam Cushing continues to look on the bright side of things.

“What an exciting time to be a football fan, two seasons in the same calendar year,” Cushing opened his remarks at Monday’s OVC media day. “This is fantastic. That’s for the fans, and how about the coaches and players that get to do this twice this year.”

Despite EIU posting just one win in the OVC-only spring schedule, the third-year head coach sees plenty of reason for optimism.

“The reason we’re excited here at Eastern Illinois is what our players have continued to do, to embrace success in all aspects of life,” he said.

Cushing, a proponent of “being more than just a football player,” highlighted his team’s accomplishments as students, volunteers and mentors.

“We set a team record for team GPA, 3.17 (with) 63 guys on our roster over a 3.0 GPA. Eighteen with a perfect 4.0 GPA, all record for our program,” he said. “And we found ways to give back to the community.”

Yet, Cushing is fully aware that his job is largely based upon wins and losses on the field.

“After two years of starting double-digit freshmen we’re excited for the opportunity to maybe not have all that many freshmen in the starting lineup this year,” Cushing said. “We’re very excited after a competitive spring season that we were in every football game.”

Cushing noted that EIU led three of its six games by two scores in the second half and “our guys are ready to build on that and turn it into those Ws that we’ve been looking for consistently.”

Making growth

“What we’re excited about is that young guys can make more growth than older guys. And it’s not to say that older guys don’t make strength gains . . . but the biggest jump happens from freshmen to sophomore and from sophomore to junior year because you get that experience and then you get that little extra experience,” Cushing said.

“When you first start playing college football, you’re going a million miles an hour and everything is buzzing past you. Then it starts to slow down as a sophomore, and once you finally start growing up a little bit, it starts traveling slow and you start seeing everything that’s happening,” he said.

Preseason all-conference picks

Eastern landed two players on the preseason All-Ohio Valley Conference team.

Sophomore linebacker Jason Johnson was named to the defensive team and redshirt freshman Matt Judd was selected as return specialist.

In the spring season Johnson led the OVC in tackles with 66 including six tackles for loss. The Rich Central High School graduate garnered first team All-OVC honors. His 11 tackles per game ranked ninth in the FCS as he posted double figure tackles in each of the Panthers’ last four games.  He was named a sophomore All-American following the season by Hero Sports.

Judd earned second team All-OVC honors in the spring, averaging 24.8 yards per return with a long return of 53 yards at UT Martin.  Judd, a Lincoln-Way East product, ranked 13th in the FCS in kick return average for the year.  He was also a starter at wide receiver making eight catches for 109 yards with a touchdown.

QB derby

As EIU prepares to open camp next week, the quarterback race appears to be between two candidates — freshman Otto Kuhns and transfer Chris Katrenick.

Kuhns, listed at 6-foot-3 and 205 pounds, took over the starting job during the spring season from veteran Harry Woodbery. Kuhns made three starts and went 44-of-87 passing for 509 yards. He tossed five touchdown passes with four interceptions.

Woodbery announced he was entering the transfer portal on May 1 and has left EIU.

“We were a different offense with Otto out there,” Cushing said. “Statistically if you look at points we were scoring with Otto as the starting quarterback and the yards we were gaining and the consistency (we were better). Our efficiency per play (as higher); there were a lot of really positive things.

“Otto brings not only that element of throwing the ball down the field, but (also) making some plays with his feet, extending plays. He’s got incredible patience to not just take off (running).”

Katrenick, listed at 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds, is a redshirt sophomore who played sparingly at Duke before transferring to Eastern. An Algonquin native, Katrenick played his prep football for coach Bill Mitz at Jacobs High School. He was rated a three-star prospect by ESPN.com, Rivals.com, Scout.com and 247Sports.com.

“Chris has picked up the offense in a big, big, hurry,” Cushing said.

However, due to NCAA rules, Katrenick isn’t been allowed to throw a pass for the EIU staff in person until camp officially opens.

The Panthers’ other two quarterbacks are freshmen Zach Weir (6-3, 185) and Zach Trainor (6-1, 205).

“EIU had always better be talking about the quarterback position, given our history,” Cushing said. “The reality is, and everyone knows this, that it takes a quarterback to win football games. The four guys we have on the roster have had an incredible summer.”

Eastern opens the season Aug. 28 at Indiana State in a non-conference “Week Zero” game.