Calvin Boender Blog
Chicago developer Calvin Boender transforms former disco into upscale retail space
The Chicago developer Calvin Boender transformed the former disco at 940 N. Rush St with over $2.5 million dollars in renovations, converting the iconic dance venue into 6,000 square feet of upscale retail space, reflecting a shift towards boutique shopping and capitalizing on the foot traffic generated by the nearby Bloomingdale's.
Posted 10/7/2024
First office rehab comes to booming DePaul area
The North Side's DePaul neighborhood is gearing up for another boom. Already the city's hottest residential area for rehab and renovation, it is now ripe for office redevelopment.
Posted 9/5/2024
Miscanthus, the Breakthrough Fiber for Pets
Since starting my Miscanthus Fiber business, Renew Biomass, I was probably like most Americans in that I knew that fiber was good for me, but did not know exactly why. The last 10 years or so have seen an uptick in high-fiber bread and cereals, numerous new brands of fiber supplements and other groceries promoting their fiber content.
Posted 6/5/2019
China closes doors on the worlds garbage dump
During the often loud and attention-getting display of global trade wars, China quietly announced a new directive to the world, telling the US, Japan, and Europe they are not willing to be the world’s garbage dump any longer.
Posted 2/19/2019
The true outcome of tariffs has yet to be seen
With the enactment of higher tariffs for steel and aluminum, President Trump has many economists speculating how far he is willing to push his populist agenda and what will the short and long-term ramifications lead to.
Posted 5/30/2018
Chinas secret tariff weapon
The blossoming trade war that President Trump has insisted has been going on during the last three presidential administrations, albeit a one-sided trade war with China winning all the battles, is reaching a fever pitch with both countries unveiling their lists of items projected for 10-25% tariffs.
Posted 5/8/2018
Ross and Navarro, the men behind the trade tariffs
Wilbur Ross and Peter Navarro, the United States Secretary of Commerce and Director of the White House National Trade Council respectively, have stayed mostly out of the hectic news cycle that has been a mainstay throughout the first year of President Trump’s tenure, so far.
Posted 4/24/2018
China has a secret trade war option: a rare earth embargo
With the potential for an expanded trade war with China, the U.S. needs to consider some of the less obvious economic and national security risks that could come into play. China holds a secret weapon that could cripple us instantly. Let’s call it, Trade War Option “57 – 71”.
Posted 4/12/2018
The Speed of Change in Todays Economy
In a previous post, I wrote about the death of the American Mall and what that means for the economy. I’d like to delve more deeply into exactly what effects that will have on the economic outlook. When you drive past that shuttered mall it’s not just the retailers who are at risk, it’s the economic base they provide in the forms of jobs that has me really worried.
Posted 9/13/2017
Death Throes of the American Retail Mall
I’ve been studying the commercial retail real estate market lately and I see a few major trends that have me worried for a once booming sector. The amount of empty retail square footage on the market can either be looked at as a consequential market correction or an alarming trend, indicative of worsening economic conditions.
Posted 7/25/2017
I live in the suburbs of Chicago with my wife, son, and 2 dogs. I am currently focusing on developing solutions to future challenges of the agricultural real estate market.