Our Story

Headquartered in Atlanta, Halpern owns and operates more than 50 retail centers, totaling more than 3.4 million square feet, in Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee.

Humble Beginnings

The company was founded in 1959 by the late Bernard Halpern, who emigrated from Poland in 1938 at the age of 16.

With the dream of starting a new life in America, he settled in Atlanta, learned English by attending night school, and within two years purchased his own grocery store. Bernard later became a residential real estate developer of small apartment complexes located on the west side of Atlanta.

In the early 1960s, he exchanged his residential properties for shopping centers. Bernard’s wife and children eventually joined him at the company, and upon his death in 1980, took over its management.

A Family Tradition

Guided by Bernard’s son, Jack Halpern, as chairman, and his daughter, Carolyn Halpern Oppenheimer, as executive vice president, the firm has expanded to more than 50 properties in five states through development and acquisitions and by recruiting and retaining a talented team. The family’s third generation has assumed leadership positions in the company as well.

Matthew Oppenheimer serves as President, implementing growth and value-enhancing strategies to achieve long-term goals and maintain a strong financial and organizational foundation.

Cary Halpern, Director of Construction, oversees the company’s construction projects, and Brad Oppenheimer, Development Director, specializes in sourcing and securing net-lease development opportunities. Benjamin Halpern, Regional Leasing Director, executes strategies to maximize occupancy and Chris Hoffmeister, Vice President of Operations, manages overall property performance.

Mission

We honor our commitments and deal fairly at all times, building upon the legacy created by Bernard & Shirley Halpern. We are committed to our associates’ success, providing them with long-term, rewarding career opportunities, while maintaining an atmosphere of harmony and mutual respect.

We are committed to the success of our tenants. Through disciplined growth, we constantly seek prudent opportunities to increase our portfolio and improve the quality of our properties.

We are a positive force — a caring, committed partner — in each community where we do business.

Our Journey

Bernard built Halpern on a solid foundation of integrity, a long-range view of business relationships and a commitment to maintaining the highest ethical standards and practices.

By providing attractive, well-maintained spaces and structuring flexible leases, Halpern creates value for hundreds of tenants and offers desirable retail experiences to shoppers.

With more than 50 properties, totaling more than 3.4 million square feet, Halpern’s portfolio continues to grow through acquisitions and new development.