Two major retail centers, Colony Mill Marketplace and Center at Keene, have taken a step forward since KeyPoint Partners, LLC took over property management and leasing for the properties last September.
Colony Mill Marketplace is an 1800s mill converted to lifestyle quality retail and office units.
The Center at Keene, a converted railroad station with a unique roundhouse, houses national and regional retailers on the first floor, with offices on the second floor.
These two local shopping venues had languished somewhat in recent years, with many vacant spaces and maintenance issues which the community had been watching with concern.
However, once KeyPoint Partners took over, immediately addressing the physical challenges and launching a dedicated leasing effort to sign new merchants, the reaction of tenants, customers, and community leaders has been very positive, according to Bob Hayes, vice president of property & asset management at KeyPoint Partners.

KeyPoint leasing associate Dave Hough has signed deals with Little Zoe's Pizza, which took 1,255 s/f at the Center, and Environmental Alternatives Inc. which has leased 4,192 s/f.
"Our leasing team has been working closely with the mayor and city officials to attract quality merchants. We've made our best effort to retain all existing facility staff. We've made significant improvements to buildings and grounds, including new signage," Hayes said. "We've added a new food services vendor, Nan's Italian American Deli, to the Colony Mill Food Court. And we supported several well-attended holiday events, including the very popular Santa visits."