CC Consulting Marks 20 Years of Retail Real Estate Transformation

Cindy Ciura is celebrating 20 years leading her commercial real estate consulting firm CC Consulting, which specializes in retail brokerage for High Street properties nationwide. The Bloomfield Hills, Michigan-based company represents landlords and connects them with luxury and high-end retailers, having shaped major retail developments and urban revitalizations throughout its history.

Ciura founded CC Consulting in 2005 after formative experiences that reinforced the importance of integrity and creating positive impact through work. Having already spent 16 years in the industry, she saw an opportunity to build an organization that could channel her values and vision into meaningful commercial real estate projects. The firm's work has transformed shopping districts across the country, with notable achievements including the revitalization of downtown Birmingham, Michigan, where Ciura helped transform the area into a thriving destination for national brands over a 10-year period.

In Detroit, Ciura's work predates her company's founding, having been instrumental in bringing some of the first national retailers to the city through projects like the Hard Rock Cafe and Borders Books in the Compuware Building. These early successes helped establish momentum that has since attracted numerous national brands to the city. The company's reach extends beyond Michigan to markets including Florida, where Ciura works extensively in Orlando and Naples, bringing new national and luxury retailers to wealthy markets. Additional projects have spanned Palm Beach, the Carolinas, California, Ohio, Chicago and New York City.

Ciura's approach was shaped by mentors from The Forbes Company, Olympia Development, and Schostak Brothers & Company, providing her with what she describes as an incredible foundation for launching her own firm. Despite industry predictions about the decline of brick-and-mortar retail, Ciura maintains that demand for physical retail locations remains strong, with more retailers actively seeking space than ever before. She attributes this to the enduring appeal of tactile shopping experiences and the entertainment value of in-person retail.

The success of CC Consulting in attracting high-end brands stems from Ciura's long-standing relationships with retailers, some spanning 20 years. She notes that luxury tenants prefer co-locating near other luxury retailers, and her ability to bring multiple interested retailers to the table gives the company a significant advantage. The firm tailors its approach for diverse markets by creating customized marketing materials that address specific location data and demographics, a process handled by Ciura's assistant of 15 years who understands retailer requirements.

Beyond commercial success, Ciura finds reward in sharing knowledge through speaking engagements and contributing to community causes. She serves on the Board of Directors of Michigan Humane, where she has worked on animal welfare initiatives, and supports Catholic Charities' efforts to convert old Detroit schools into low-cost housing. Looking forward, Ciura is expanding into new markets including Washington, D.C., and exploring retail opportunities in convention centers, representing new frontiers for the company's expertise in curating retail experiences.