Katz brokerage expands to the Midwest

Twelve years ago, a young retail real estate broker left New Jersey-based Katz & Associates and went west to strike out with his own operation. Now he’s back and helping Katz plant a Midwestern stake.

Marlon Stone, whose Chicago-based Stone North America brokerage has represented Kohl’s, Five Below, Bar Louie, and other national brands, has returned to Katz as a senior VP and will create a new regional presence for a company that, until now, has focused on the East Coast.

“The post-pandemic challenges confronting retail programs today created the perfect opportunity to rejoin and exponentially grow net new business together,” Stone said. “The Katz culture is the right fit for me professionally and personally, so it’s exciting to return home.”

In a press release announcing the hire, Katz lauded Stone’s versatility. His company has negotiated leases for department stores, big boxes, specialty retailers, and restaurant concepts across malls, power and lifestyle centers, neighborhood centers, and urban business districts.

Other brands Stone has represented include Under Armour,, The Vitamin Shoppe, Mattress Firm, Barnes & Noble, PNC Bank, Shoe Carnival, and Party City.

“Marlon is a top-tier broker with broad geographic expertise. He’ll be working for us in all of the Midwestern states,” said Katz CEO Brian Katz.

Katz & Associates’ primary focus is assisting retailers, restaurants and landlords in strategic planning, market analysis, lease and sale negotiations, and dispositions. It currently maintains offices in New York City, Charlotte, Boca Raton, Nashville, New Jersey, and Orlando.