The current market uncertainty has pushed many retail investors to the sidelines and largely stalled investment activity this year. Some investors, however, have found opportunities to transact despite the new market challenges. Beacon Realty Advisors is among the investors still pursuing retail investments. The firm recently acquired Jefferson Square, a retail center in La Quinta, and says that it is continuing to look for new opportunities.

"Beacon Realty Advisors is a savvy and opportunistic investor. We found a solid opportunity with this property during the pandemic and moved forward swiftly. Although COVID has presented many challenges for real estate owners and operators in 2020, we look at this as an opportunity to rise to the occasion, think outside the box, and implement real estate solutions that are essential to markets like La Quinta," Omar Hussein, founder and principal at Beacon Realty Advisors, tells GlobeSt.com.

Due to the market change, Beacon has refocused on value-add opportunities in the near term, over the next 12 to 18 months. "Beacon is currently targeting the Southern California market for opportunities where we can utilize our strategic planning and leasing expertise to reposition well located assets that are in need of a fresh perspective," says Hussein. "Our ultimate objective is to remerchandise or reposition the properties with whatever in demand mixed-use components the market desires."