Lustig Group Expands Retail Brokerage to Connecticut
Landlords in the state see new leasing strategy as the firm aims to fill vacancies and boost center traffic.
Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Commercial
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The Lustig Group has officially expanded its commercial retail brokerage operations into Connecticut, appointing Jesse Broderick as senior director to lead regional leasing efforts. The firm is currently working to fill vacancies in key shopping centers, including space at the Groton Shopper's Mart.
Why it matters
The firm is targeting Connecticut as an alternative to the complex New York corridor, aiming to help property owners drive traffic and improve leasing velocity. For local property owners, this shifts the approach to tenant recruitment as the firm uses institutional brokerage strategies to secure leases for smaller commercial sites.
The firm currently manages 30 client accounts and is working to fill 11,000 square feet at the Groton Shopper's Mart. Retail rental rates in the region range from $35 to $40 per square foot for premium space, climbing to $70, $80, or $90 per square foot in certain small town locations.
The players
The Lustig Group
A commercial retail brokerage firm that manages tenant recruitment for shopping center landlords and advises family offices on leasing.
Jesse Broderick
The senior director for Connecticut leasing deals responsible for managing the firm's growth in the state.
Justin Lustig
The founder of The Lustig Group who established the firm's current operational strategy in 2025.
Groton Shopper's Mart
A retail shopping center in Connecticut where the firm is currently actively filling vacant commercial space.
The details
The Lustig Group advises family offices by applying strategies typically found at large institutional retail firms. Brokers prioritize negotiating exclusive use clauses, a tactic that allows different businesses to coexist within a single shopping center while protecting each tenant's core business model. This focus on tenant mix is designed to generate consistent foot traffic for landlords, ultimately increasing the speed at which vacant retail spaces are leased.
Timeline
The Lustig Group was founded in 2025.
The firm added new team members to its brokerage over the past 18 months.
Jesse Broderick was hired as senior director in a recent expansion move.
Money Landscape
The entry of new brokerage firms into Connecticut highlights a broader shift in the regional retail market, where landlords are increasingly prioritizing traffic-generating tenants to boost leasing velocity. This reflects a departure from the higher-complexity corridors like New York.
Local commercial property owners should prepare for new lease negotiations as brokers focus on traffic-driving tenant mixes. If you are a property owner, consult with a legal or commercial real estate professional to understand how new exclusive use clauses might affect your future site flexibility.
The takeaway
The arrival of new national-expansion brokers indicates a push for higher leasing velocity in local shopping centers. Landlords should review their current lease templates to ensure exclusive use protections remain competitive in the evolving local retail climate.
Further reading
For more information on the regional property market, see Commercial.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Commercial Record.
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