Jo McGarry Curran is a First Vice President with CBRE Retail Services in Hawaii. Jo moved to Hawaii from her home in Scotland more than 25 years ago and quickly became known as an expert in the food and beverage industry, publishing Gusto Magazine, hosting a long running radio show/podcast and working as a consultant to restaurant owners. A natural transition to Commercial Real Estate 12 years ago, to continue to help those in the F&B industry, has seen Jo complete more than $75 million in combined retail and industrial transactions.
Jo has a strong understanding of the challenges faced by clients new to the Hawaii market and by those expanding within the islands as evidenced by her work with corporate clients, such as Y Hata and Chef Zone, and including Wendy’s and Pielogy – whose expansion in Hawaii has included more than 12 new locations – with five more planned for 2023/ 24.
With a passion for small business and community, Jo brings a strong set of skills when working with landlords on retail centers and has recently been part of the team transforming Hawaii Kai Shopping Center into a thriving center by renewing/replacing tenants and focusing on locally owned businesses.
Through her relationship with tenants and her ability to focus on new and growing trends, she has been able to bring a mix of some of the most exciting restaurant and retail tenants to the Honolulu market in recent years, including: The Pig and Lady, Pint and Jigger, Istanbul, Tamura Enterprises, Rabbit Rabbit Tea, Kamikura Noodle, Piggy Smalls, Village Bottle Shop, Wendy’s, Pieology, Jana Lam Design, Alison Izu, Ten Tomorrow, Five Guys Burgers and Fries, La Tour Bakery and Café, Bevy Bar, Over Easy, Easy Q, Teddy’s Bigger Burgers, Tex 808, Karai Crab, The Lei Shop, Petit Peso, to name just a few.
As the retail advisor to The Ala Moana Hotel Jo has created a dynamic retail experience through a renewed vision for the hotel with a vibrant tenant mix that includes: Signature Steak and Seafood, Dada Spa, Salon and Restaurant, Pint and Jigger, Spartina, Accent’s, Island Divers and Solid Stone Jewelry. Working with Matt Bittick of CBRE Hawaii Capital Markets Institutional Group (CMIG), Jo is a trusted source for analytical market research, demographic insight and professional opinion concerning retail growth and development. She also works closely with CBRE’s global retail team with clients in Asia - and aspires to work with clients in Europe so she can travel home for work!
Education
- Edinburgh Western General Nursing Degree, Edinburgh, Scotland
- Graduate with Distinction, CBRE's Retailing University course from University of Arizona
Professional Affiliations/Accreditations
- Licensed Real Estate Salesperson, State of Hawaii
- Founder MoJo. The Business of Food
- International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC), Member
- Hawaii Restaurant Association (Former) Board Member
Agency Clients
- Ala Moana Hotel by Mantra
- D'Ascoli Building
- Gateway Mililani Mauka
- Gentry Pacific Design Center
- Hawaii Kai Shopping Center
- Kaneohe Bay Shopping Center
- Podmore Building
Occupier Clients
- Bethel Union
- Bevy Bar
- Easy ‘Que
- Fat Cheeks/Garibaldi's
- Five Guys Burgers and Fries
- Formaggio
- Hank’s Haute Dogs
- Hawaiian Pie Company
- Holey Grail
- Istanbul Restaurant
- Jade Dynasty Chinese Restaurant
- Koa Cafe
- La Tour Cafe and Bakery
- Limon Rotisserie
- Murphy's Grill and Bar
- Nalo Farms
- Nashville Waikiki
- Ocean House Kaneohe
- Over Easy
- Pieology
- Piggy Smalls
- Pint and Jigger
- Poke Stop
- Purve Donuts
- Rabbit Rabbit Tea Hawaii
- Senia
- Silk Road
- Square Barrels
- Tamura Enterprises, Inc.
- Tamura's Fine Wines and Spirits
- The Pig and the Lady
- Village Bottle Shop and Tasting Room
- Wendy's
