About this Podcast:
Craig Kopko, Executive Vice President of Development at WMG Development, LLC, joins our Nathan Griffis for a sit-down at ICSC@FLORIDA. They discussed a wide variety of topics, including grocery-anchored centers, the risks of chasing “whales,” continuing to fill pipelines and paying it forward.
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Episode Transcript:
NATHAN GRIFFIS:
All right. Here's the warmup question. Craig, what's the first app you open in the morning?
CRAIG KOPKO:
First app I open in the morning is probably.
NATHAN GRIFFIS:
I'll ask Chantelle if you're telling the truth.
CRAIG KOPKO:
It's sketchy a little bit. I think it might be the Realtor app. I'm in the market for a bunch of houses that I'm never going to buy, but I like to see what my options are that day and if there's new ones.
NATHAN GRIFFIS:
You look at the Realtor app and you're not actually snobby.
CRAIG KOPKO:
Certainly not at this time. But I like to have my finger on the pulse.
NATHAN GRIFFIS:
Commercial real estate, I know. So you're looking at residential stuff, seeing where the market’s moving.
CRAIG KOPKO:
Yeah, it’s a unique one. You asked.
NATHAN GRIFFIS:
I did. It was on the list.
CRAIG KOPKO:
Most recently I got this Oura ring. It looks like a wedding band.
NATHAN GRIFFIS:
Oh yeah.
CRAIG KOPKO:
This has changed in the last five days. I’m very curious how I sleep.
NATHAN GRIFFIS:
You wake up and analyze how your day’s going to go.
CRAIG KOPKO:
It tells you how good your day is going to be. Today’s a 78, which I think is good.
NATHAN GRIFFIS:
Real time score.
CRAIG KOPKO:
I’d want an 88, but we’re learning each other. That’s my new everyday app.
NATHAN GRIFFIS:
Assessing your Oura every morning.
CRAIG KOPKO:
Yep. Some REM sleep, some deep sleep.
NATHAN GRIFFIS:
I heard you were already REM sleeping at your event.
CRAIG KOPKO:
Didn’t see that coming.
NATHAN GRIFFIS:
I’m like titanium. If I lose this finger, that’s commitment.
CRAIG KOPKO:
I get to charge mine.
NATHAN GRIFFIS:
Let’s talk industry. What should landlords and developers stop doing in 2025?
CRAIG KOPKO:
If anyone is selling something they’re not sure they can deliver in a challenging market, they should slow down.
CRAIG KOPKO:
I told a tenant today I couldn’t commit to moving faster yet. That honesty matters.
CRAIG KOPKO:
People would spend less time digging out of holes if they slowed down.
NATHAN GRIFFIS:
Is there smoke and mirrors?
CRAIG KOPKO:
I think folks are hopeful. It’s not malicious, but hope isn’t certainty.
NATHAN GRIFFIS:
You read your own press clippings.
CRAIG KOPKO:
Promise and overperform. Authenticity helps everyone.
NATHAN GRIFFIS:
That’s how you build trust.
CRAIG KOPKO:
Tell sellers the truth. Advising comes with good and bad news.
Meet your hosts:
Nathan Griffis
Host
