Jerry’s Artarama Art Supplies & Framing will open its fourth store in Texas in Preston Valley Shopping Center, snapping up the largest vacancy in one of the most prominent open-air projects in North Dallas.
The North Carolina-based chain has leased 10,285 sf, backfilling class A retail space formerly occupied for years by Tuesday Morning. Located at 12817 Preston Rd., the center is a landmark property at a major intersection and visible to more than 318,000 vehicles per day.
“It was the only spot that we toured. The demographics of the LBJ Freeway-Preston Road intersection are as good as you get in retail,” says Leigh Richter, executive vice president of Dallas-based Bradford Commercial Real Estate Services and Jerry Artarama’s broker.
The five-mile trade area boasts nearly 405,000 residents while the daytime population tops 511,000. The average annual household income is $116,469.
Jerry’s Artarama will be joining a select group of tenants with their names on a pair of pylon signs fronting the freeway (Interstate 635 E) and Preston Road. The junior anchor mix includes Maple Leaf Diner, which will be adjacent to the new art supply store, Chili’s, India Palace, Terry Costa, Boot Barn and Dougherty’s Pharmacy. Emilie Gioia Paulson of the Weitzman Group leases the center for the landlord, Preston Valley South LP.
“They really wanted Jerry’s Artarama in that spot. We got the deal done in record time,” Richter says. The long-term lease includes a right of first refusal on contiguous space.
Jerry’s Artarama, marking its 53rd year in business, only opens one location per city. Stores are up and running in Austin, Houston and San Antonio. The portfolio spans 15 cities in 10 states. Each site is stocked with leading brands of professional art supplies and offers custom framing, canvas-stretching, free demonstrations and special events.
“It’s Dallas. Why wouldn’t you be here,” Richter says, adding the retailer had been eyeing the city pre-pandemic. “My client bided his time and ended up with one of the best spots in North Dallas.”
Bradford Commercial Real Estate Services/CORFAC International is a full-service real estate company based in Dallas with an annual transactions volume exceeding five million square feet. The company manages and leases more than 20 million square feet, valued at $300 million, in North Texas for its strategic partners.
