Why Ottumwa, IA?

A regional commerce hub with plentiful opportunities for business growth.

Ottumwa is a dynamic river community of more than 25,000 in Southeast Iowa. With a daytime population of 31,788 and a total retail trade area of 43,165, Ottumwa is the largest community in the region and a hub for commercial and retail business. Ottumwa's community college, major employers including John Deere and JBS, the Bridge View events center, and Ottumwa's parks system sustain vibrant retail districts downtown and throughout the city.

Annual Retail Opportunity Report, Ottumwa Trade Area, Retail Strategies

Ottumwa is a proud partner of Retail Strategies. Working closely with our team at Retail Strategies, the City is a welcome and active partner in working alongside brokers and retailers to capitalize on the many opportunities available in Ottumwa. Work directly with Retail Strategies by calling or emailing our Senior Portfolio Director Kam South.

Community Statistical Profile

Retail Opportunities

Quincy Place

Quincy Place is the heart of retail in Ottumwa. This vibrant district includes the Quincy Place Mall, Quincy Plaza, and several stand-alone retail shops and restaurants. Average daily traffic on Quincy Ave. is over 13,000 vehicles per day. There are several vacancies in this come-back-ready area.

Venture Drive

This retail district largely sprang up around Walmart with Menards and Kohls anchoring an existing strip center, stand-alone locations, and the Wildwood Centre strip complex coming in Fall 2022. Average daily traffic is at least 11,000 vehicles per day.

Albia Road

With major improvements coming to Greater Ottumwa Park, this small commercial corridor is a prime opportunity. Average daily traffic is at least 4,700 vehicles per day but likely much greater.

Downtown Ottumwa

Downtown Ottumwa has been a template for Main Street revitalization. Major investment in streetscape, building facades and upper-story housing has created a thriving neighborhood. Arts, entertainment, dining and retail spaces are going fast but there are still opportunities in this historic riverfront district. At least 6,800 vehicles visit Downtown Ottumwa every day.

Quincy Place

Quincy Plaza: Albanese Cormier owns this strip center anchored by Hobby Lobby. TJ Maxx and Five Below are filling this quickly. Check out the property sheet with available tenant spaces from 578 SF to 28,000 SF.

Quincy Place Mall: Ottumwa's Mall has stayed resilient by focusing on market trends, retaining legacy retailers, and negotiating to backfill vacancies. 2022 saw the grand opening of Harbor Freight and exciting momentum toward filling other vacancies.

1020 Quincy Ave: This former big box store currently houses the Ottumwa Veterans Affairs Clinic which provides care for 6,000 veterans every year. Also included is McGregor's Furniture though thousands of square feet remain for potential development. View the property sheet from Highlands Real Estate.

Venture Drive

Wildwood Centre: This 10,000 SF new build strip center is under construction in the Kohl's outlot. There are still 2,000 SF & 3,000 SF end caps available in this space, but it's filling up fast. Check out the Hopkin's Properties property sheet for more information.

1945 Venture Drive: This new build two-tenant strip building recently completed construction and saw the grand opening of T-Mobile. The remaining 2,290 SF space includes a drive-through in this space anchored by Walmart and Menards. Take a look at the property sheet from Hard Corner, LLC.

1899 Venture Drive: A 2,800 SF endcap is available in this 10-tenant strip center directly across from Walmart and Menards. Also included in the strip are Verizon, Gamestop, CATO, Great Clips, GNC, and more. View the property sheet from Schostak Brothers & Company.

Albia Road

819 Albia Road: The City of Ottumwa is set to invest significant resources into making Greater Ottumwa Park, a destination for recreation and sports tourism with top-of-the-line baseball, soccer, and tennis complexes planned for the 300-acre space. This 5,550 SF space directly adjacent to the park is poised for huge opportunities. Check out the property sheet from Legacy Commercial Property for this space which is suitable for dining, retail, medical, and more.

Downtown Ottumwa

As part of the Main Street America Ready 2 Recruit Program, Ottumwa recently completed a Market Snapshot. This report has key demographic, market, and lifestyle profile data on the trade area surrounding Downtown Ottumwa. That effort also included a survey of over 500 Ottumwans who identified the retail and entertainment options they wanted to see Downtown.

219 E. Main: The former Iowa National Bank building won the 2022 Main Street Iowa Facade Award. This 1.5 story, 2,800SF building could have two levels of retail or a loft above a single-level retail space. View the property sheet .

332 E Main: For rent but likely to be taken fast. This space was formerly used for successful fine-dining restaurants and remains one of the most beautiful interiors in downtown Ottumwa. A small private event room and outdoor patio and magnificent full bar are perks of this historic downtown building. The rear of the building has direct access to a large public parking with attractive landscaping and a view of the Jefferson Street Bridge. View the property sheet .

315 E. Main: This building may need some special facade attention, but the owner is eager to sell or lease the space. The newly renovated apartment upstairs makes the property a revenue generator for a buyer, while a tenant would benefit from an owner willing to build out the space for use. Check out the property sheet for this 1,320SF space.

317 E. Main: This 2,640SF space is a ready canvas. With a new apartment upstairs, there is significant value for a buyer. For a tenant, the current owner will white box the space or build out for use. View the updated property sheet.