[Source: Jan Buchholz, Phoenix Business Journal] — The founders of a successful national retail chain are launching a new concept in the most unlikely of places: a 1928 warehouse at the corner of Central Avenue and Lincoln Street, on the southern fringe of downtown Phoenix. The building, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, has housed a variety of businesses, from a Ford dealership to the Hensley & Co. beer distributorship. “We fell in love with it the day we saw it,” said Steve Rosenstein.
He and his wife, Andi, are renovating the 14,000-square-foot building to house a restaurant, a farmer’s market and a retail store called R&R Surplus. Collectively, the project will be called The Duce in honor of the many produce markets that once defined the area. They expect the project eventually to employ 20 to 30 people.
The store concept centers on reclaimed and recycled fashion with a twist, including European-made thermal underwear embellished with Swarovski crystals, old-school collegiate sweats, bomber jackets, army duffel bags, cargo pants, PF Flyer gym shoes, and vintage Schwinn bicycles. The retail store, sandwiched between the future market and restaurant, is open by appointment only. The Rosensteins plan to open the store and the food market to the general public in October. The restaurant, which will focus on locally grown fresh produce and food products, will open when a partner is found, but the couple is in talks.
As renovations continue, products also will be sold through private events and through R&R Surplus’ Web site, which went live March 3. [Note: To read the full article, click here.]
Downtown Voices Coalition 
Just visited the Duce in the Warehouse District as part of the Mayor’s October breakfast event. Steve and Andi are doing some amazing things here. Quite inspiring and a great springboard for other urban adventures in the area.