Building Communities Worth Belonging to… through the Power of Connection
For developers shaping the future of walkable living, and for leaders creating places where people thrive.
I help developers, brands, and civic leaders create walkable, vibrant communities by weaving food, local retail, and gathering spaces into the heart of every project.
this is the power of gathering: it inspires us, delightfully, to be more hopeful, more joyful, more thoughtful: in a word, more alive. - alice waters
Why It Works
Connection Principle #1: Food Builds Trust
Food is our oldest form of connection. Breaking bread together builds trust, bridges cultures, and makes every gathering memorable.
Ripple Effect: According to a 2021 Brookings article, 70% of Americans say they want walkable access to shops and parks. A 2024 National Association of Realtors article shared that 90% of Millennials and Gen Z would pay more to live in such neighborhoods.
Connection Principle #2: Shared Moments Make Places Memorable
After a hearty meal comes the craving for connection and entertainment. Rooftop patios, live music, summer movies — these moments make the calendar worth marking.
Ripple Effect: A Summer 2025 article from NAIOP show suburbs are revitalized via mixed use. Redeveloped mixed-use projects that incorporate vibrant public and gathering spaces see stronger economic performance through increased foot traffic, enhanced sales growth, and more engaging retail experiences.
Connection Principle #3: Stories Bring People Back
A place is not just a location — it’s a feeling. It’s the memory of clinking glasses, the smell of fresh bread drifting down the street, the shared smiles of neighbors.
Ripple Effect: According to a 2021 Brookings article, a revitalized public market drew residents who hadn’t visited downtown in 20–30 years, creating a surge in local spending and renewed community pride..
Connection Principle #4: Local Brands Create the Heartbeat
Independent cafés, shops, and restaurants bring authenticity you can’t fake. They reflect the values of a community, foster loyalty, and give people a reason to return.
Ripple Effect. Stat: 90% of Millennials and Gen Z are willing to pay more to live in walkable, locally vibrant neighborhoods (NAR, 2024).
For Developers & Downtown Districts
Build more than retail. Build a heartbeat.
Most communities wait until the final phase to add shops and restaurants — and miss the moment to create energy, connection, and buyer loyalty.
With Retail Experience Architecture™, we layer in local brands, daily needs, dining, art, and activation from the start — so your place feels alive from day one and stays vibrant for years to come.
For Leaders & Changemakers
Learn the art and science of connection.
Whether you’re a brand founder, civic leader, or aspiring placemaker, my C.O.N.N.E.C.T. Method will help you design spaces, strategies, and stories that make people belong.
Hi, I’m Edie Weintraub.
For over 20 years, I’ve been helping developers and brands turn retail, dining, and gathering spaces into the heartbeats of their communities.
As founder of Terra Alma, I work with master-planned and mixed-use developers to create vibrant, walkable places where people connect, businesses thrive, and home sales accelerate.
My work blends retail strategy, food-focused placemaking, and human-centered design shaped by studying how communities thrive in 29 countries.
I’ve partnered with chefs, restaurateurs, and developers across the U.S., and I share my insights on stages nationwide, from FAB Conference to Urban Land Institute panels. Whether advising on development strategies or connecting emerging brands to the right spaces, my focus is always the same: create places people love to return to.
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Want to know more about what Edie is up to? If you’re not joining her for conferences, events or fabulous private dinners, you don’t know what you’re missing.
Speaking + In the Media
From Urbanize, to the Atlanta Business Chronicle and Atlanta Journal Constitution, read about Edie Weintraub in the media.
Podcast
fueled by terra alma, this podcast is where innovators disrupting various industries: chefs, artists, shop owners, founders and bosses share their stories.
Testimonials
Coaching + consulting designed by a retail real estate advisor for retail real estate estate agents as they need it, when they need it. Learn about our clients' results and find out what they're saying about us...
Booklist
Books That Built the Way I Work. Real estate may be my title, but community is my calling.
One on One
I believe that with 15 meals we’re having every week, there’s definitely some time to make new friends! If you’re interested in getting to know more about what makes me tick, let’s grab a coffee, tea, biscuit, croissant…whatever makes you smile!