Brian McAndrews: Blockbuster to Hollywood, CVS to Longs - Retail Real Estate Wars!

In this exciting episode of SF Commercial Property Conversations, Bruce Bean sits down with retail real estate veteran Brian McAndrews. From his early days in the grocery and retail industry to becoming a key player in the real estate wars between Blockbuster, Hollywood Video, CVS, and Longs, Brian shares invaluable insights from his diverse career journey.

Brian's path is anything but linear—he began his career in retail and pivoted into commercial real estate, working for industry giants like CBRE and Hollywood Video. His journey didn’t stop there as he played pivotal roles in CVS's expansion during the "Drugstore Wars," ultimately ending up with Longs Drugs before its acquisition by CVS. Brian’s passion for real estate, his ability to thrive in competitive markets, and his stories about working with iconic companies will captivate anyone interested in corporate real estate, retail strategies, and leadership. Tune in to hear his thoughts on navigating the constantly evolving retail real estate landscape and how he successfully balanced career challenges with family life.

Key Takeaways:

• How Brian transitioned from retail to commercial real estate with CBRE
• Insights into the "Drugstore Wars" and CVS’s aggressive expansion
• The behind-the-scenes of Hollywood Video’s rise against Blockbuster
• Longs Drugs' battle with Walgreens and its eventual sale to CVS
• The value of strong relationships and networking in real estate

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ We’re excited to feature your voice in the conversation about building wealth and legacies through commercial real estate. Join us to share your journey and insights with our growing audience! Learn more and apply at https://sfcommercialconversations.com/guest