EntrepreneurOnce in awhile and idea comes along that changes America’s lifestyle. In the mid-1980’s, native Memphian Dan Poag had such an idea. He and a previous partner had a vision to create a concept in shopping centers by combining top specialty stores and restaurants in an architecturally upscale, open-air setting that was convenient and safe for the customer. His idea culminated in what is now The Shops of Saddle Creek in Germantown the first phase of which opened in 1987…recognized as the first “lifestyle center” developed in the country.
Poag & McEwen developed additional Lifestyle Centers in Omaha, Kansas City, Chicago, Denver, Colorado Springs, Loveland (CO), Hartford, Lehigh Valley (PA), Manteca (CA), and Los Angeles. Today Poag & McEwen is widely recognized as the “Father of Lifestyle Centers” and is the leading developer of this concept around the country. Poag and McEwen was highlighted in feature stories on “lifestyle centers” in the Wall Street Journal and the industry-trade publication Shopping Centers Today. Poag Shopping Centers, the successor company of Poag & McEwen, has acquired Carriage Crossing in Collierville, Metropolis Lifestyle Center, now Perry Crossing, in Indianapolis, and developed Tanger Outlet Shops in Southaven, and Highland Row near the University of Memphis.
Dan is a graduate of Leadership Memphis, the former chair of Theater Memphis, the former chair of the Memphis Region District Council of the Urban Land Institute, former Chair of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra, Former Chair of Urban Renaissance Partners, and is active with the Princeton Alumni Association of Memphis and with the Princeton Class of 1963. Dan holds an AB degree from Princeton University and an MBA from Emory University.
Poag & McEwen is credited with creating the lifestyle shopping center concept with the development of Saddle Creek (Germantown, 1987), with creating the name ‘Lifestyle Center’ to describe this new type of shopping center, and with establishing the concept nationally by being the leading developer of Lifestyle Centers in the United States.
1989
2007
“‘My definition of entrepreneurship starts with the idea; however, there are many great ideas. Passionate belief in the idea contrary to all “good” advice and opinion that your idea will not work coupled with an absolute determination to succeed no matter what the obstacles are in my opinion the keys to building the foundation of entrepreneurship. The steel, walls, and roof are built by those people you find who also believe in your idea and will contribute their special gifts to its construction. The completed building makes the community where it is located a better place to live and improves everyone’s lifestyle.”
For More Information: http://www.poagllc.com
