Lynn Johnson has been a commercial real estate agent with Coldwell Banker Commercial Nicholson-Williams Realty since February.
HOW LONG HAS SHE BEEN IN COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE?
Eleven years. She started with Ashman Properties as a sales agent before becoming director of leasing. “I did everything, including leasing and property management. I learned a lot there.” She then went to Goldstein Commercial Properties for a few years before joining Coldwell Banker.
A CHANCE ENCOUNTER LED TO A JOB?
She was shopping in one of Edward Ashman’s shopping centers and coincidentally met him. During their conversation, he offered her a job and she accepted.
SPECIALITY
Retail sales and leasing. Johnson does tenant representation and has a niche market in restaurants.
WHO ARE SOME OF HER CLIENTS?
Sonic, Big Daddy’s Pizza, T & M Deli, Gravity Fitness Center, Goldfinders Furniture, Big League Barber Shops and Oceanside Bank.
WHAT ELSE HAS SHE LEASED?
Dance studios, gyms and nail salons.
ANY NEW RESTAURANTS COMING DOWNTOWN?
“Yes, we are looking at downtown for two of my tenants. We do want to go downtown.” The key, she said, is the development of The Shipyards project.
DO YOU THINK WE WILL SEE SHOPPING CENTERS DOWNTOWN?
“I would hope there would be. I think it is an important part of having a vital downtown. That’s what has been missing downtown. The people don’t live downtown, so at 5 p.m. they all vacate. In most major downtowns there are places for people to live and places for people to shop. We don’t have that, yet.”
BEFORE REAL ESTATE?
She worked in the clothing industry for 10 years before traveling with her husband while he was in the U.S. Army.
FAVORITE THING ABOUT REAL ESTATE?
“I like the whole experience, including meeting the new tenants, finding a space for them, going to the opening, being involved and then going there shopping after they open.”
LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT REAL ESTATE?
No shows.
ADVICE SHE WOULD GIVE TO NEW AGENTS?
“Get out in person and meet as many people as you can. Personal service is important. Build your database and relationships. That’s what real estate is all about, good relationships.”
BIRTHPLACE
Long Island, N.Y., but she was raised in Athens, Ga.
MOVED TO JACKSONVILLE?
12 years ago.
FAMILY
She is married to John, who is retired from the U.S. Army and is now an engineer for Verizon Wireless. They have four children, Daniel, 22, Nick, 21, Adam, 18 and Nick, 15. “We never have a dull moment in our house,” said Johnson.
RESIDES
Intracoastal West.
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
She is a member of the International Convention of Shopping Centers, National Association of Industrial and Office Properties and the Chamber of Commerce.
HOBBIES
Reading, embroidering, traveling and visiting historical sites.
CHURCH
St. Paul’s Catholic.
FAVORITES
Her favorite movie is “Titanic” and “Gone with the Wind” leads her book list. When watching television, she likes “Witchblade.” When dining out, she recommends Daruma Japanese Steak House. The Caribbean tops her vacation list.
—by Michele Newbern Gillis