Curtis Nassau

Brief Profile

Curtis Nassau | EVP at RIPCO | NJ Retail Expert | 20+ Years Experience | Specialist in Grocery-Anchored, Mixed-Use & Tenant Site Selection.

Full Profile

Curtis Nassau, Executive Vice President | RIPCO Real Estate
Retail Tenant & Landlord Representation | New Jersey & Tri-State Market Specialist

The Challenge Retail Stakeholders Face
In the evolving retail landscape of New Jersey and the Tri-State area, both landlords and tenants face a market defined by rapid shifts in consumer behavior and high competition for prime corridors. Landlords often struggle to secure the right "merchandising mix" that ensures long-term asset stability, while retailers face challenges in navigating complex local zoning and site selection for high-traffic, grocery-anchored, or mixed-use environments. Success requires a partner who can bridge the gap between institutional requirements and street-level market intelligence.

My Approach
Curtis Nassau combines over 20 years of retail leasing expertise with a disciplined, development-stage planning approach. By acting as a strategic advisor rather than just a transaction broker, Curtis helps clients visualize the full potential of a site—whether it is a ground-up development, a major redevelopment, or a strategic anchor repositioning. He leverages RIPCO’s advanced GIS technology and "Street Smart, Market Wise" ethos to provide data-driven recommendations that align with long-term financial and operational goals.

Core Services
Curtis provides comprehensive retail real estate solutions with a specialized focus on the New Jersey market.

• Landlord Leasing Representation (Shopping Centers & Mixed-Use)
• Tenant Site Selection & Expansion Strategy
• Supermarket & Grocery-Anchored Retail Specialist
• Ground-Up Development & Redevelopment Consulting
• Fitness, Restaurant & Experiential Retail Leasing
• Investment Sales Advisory

 

Proven Results
Throughout his career, Curtis has been responsible for hundreds of transactions involving some of the most recognizable brands and high-profile developments in the region. Notable projects include The Promenade Shops at Clifton, Shops at North Village in Sparta, and Shoppes at Vermella in Union. He has successfully executed dozens of supermarket leases with brands like ShopRite, Aldi, and Lidl, and has completed over 100 fitness transactions for national names including Planet Fitness, Orangetheory, and Club Pilates.

Why Clients Choose Curtis
Clients partner with Curtis for his "owner’s mindset" and deep local connectivity. Known as a leading expert in New Jersey retail, he is often engaged early in the development process to advise on merchandising strategy and co-tenancy. His ability to navigate the complexities of grocery-anchored centers—from parking and loading analysis to anchor tenant performance—makes him a trusted advisor for both private owners and institutional developers seeking best-in-class leasing execution.

Core Competencies
Curtis is a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) and holds a reputation for tenacity and creative problem-solving. His core competencies include urban and highway retail positioning, anchor tenant replacement strategies, and identifying market voids through sophisticated GIS and demographic analysis. He currently leads major representation accounts for high-growth brands like Uncle Giuseppe's Marketplace and Supremo Supermarkets.

About Curtis
An Executive Vice President at RIPCO Real Estate, Curtis joined the firm in 2013 and has been a vital part of the New Jersey office's growth. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from Union College. Over his 20+ year tenure in the industry, he has cultivated deep relationships with local municipalities and the brokerage community, ensuring his clients have a "first look" at off-market opportunities and the most current market data available.

Philosophy
Curtis believes that "Retail is a People Business Driven by Data." His philosophy is rooted in the idea that a successful lease is not just about filling space, but about creating a destination. By focusing on loyalty, trust, and transparent communication, he builds long-term partnerships that help both property owners and retailers achieve sustained growth in the Tri-State marketplace.

3 FAQs
What are the keys to a successful grocery-anchored development?
A successful project requires a balance of anchor credit, accessible parking, and a diverse service-oriented co-tenancy. We analyze traffic patterns and population density to ensure the site can support the high-velocity requirements of modern grocers.

How do you help retailers find off-market sites in New Jersey?
Through RIPCO’s proprietary GIS tools and our extensive local network, we identify "quiet" opportunities and upcoming vacancies before they hit the open market, giving our clients a competitive edge in site selection.

What is the current trend for fitness and experiential retail?
We are seeing a strong push toward wellness and boutique fitness as primary traffic drivers. We work with landlords to structure leases that accommodate the specific venting, sound, and parking needs of these high-growth categories.

Ready to Talk Strategy?
Whether you are repositioning a shopping center or planning a multi-site retail rollout, Curtis is ready to deliver a customized execution plan. Contact us today to leverage his 20+ years of New Jersey market expertise.

Contact:
Curtis Nassau, Executive Vice President
Website: www.ripcony.com
Location: Elmwood Park, NJ