‘I like this stuff’: Self-made $500M mogul Ben Mallah reveals his ‘essential’ US portfolio that he states Amazon ‘can’t hurt’ — here’s his secret formula and how you can copy it in 2025

Real estate mogul and YouTube personality Ben Mallah epitomizes a classic rags-to-riches story. Raised in the projects of Queens, New York, he defied the odds to build a $500 million real estate empire.

Mallah’s journey began with a sharp eye for overlooked opportunities, starting in “the tough neighborhoods of Oakland,” where he invested in properties “nobody else wanted.”

Today, Mallah’s empire has evolved far beyond those humble beginnings.

During an appearance on The Iced Coffee Hour podcast with Graham Stephan and Jack Selby, Mallah described the backbone of his current portfolio: “Today, we’re sitting on a very large portfolio of what I like to call ‘necessity real estate,’ or ‘essential real estate.’”

He elaborated further, explaining, “I like retail, but I like retail that the internet can't hurt, Amazon can't hurt. I like food. I like necessity services like hair, nails, food, good, strong restaurants, dentists, medical… things that people can't go online and accomplish.”

As e-commerce continues to disrupt traditional retail, Mallah’s focus on essential, in-person services offers a blueprint for resilience. By investing in businesses tied to basic needs, he’s built a portfolio that stands strong against the forces reshaping the consumer landscape.

And the best part? You don’t need $500 million to start adopting Mallah’s proven strategy for yourself.

Grocery-anchored real estate

Investing in grocery-anchored real estate offers a significant advantage for savvy investors: stability.

Think about your go-to supermarket — the one you visit every week. How long has it been in the same spot? Likely for years, if not decades. That consistency highlights the appeal of this sector.

Unlike office buildings or other commercial properties, necessity-based real estate caters to the everyday needs of local communities.

Mallah shared that while he had opportunities to invest in shopping malls, he deliberately chose not to due to the inherent risks associated with them.

Instead, he gravitated toward necessity real estate, which he finds far more appealing. “I had opportunities to buy shopping malls, and I didn’t do it because I was afraid of them,” Mallah admitted. “But I like this stuff,” he added, referring to the essential real estate properties that form the cornerstone of his portfolio.

For years, direct access to the $22.5 trillion commercial real estate sector has been limited to a select group of elite investors — until now.

First National Realty Partners (FNRP) allows accredited investors to diversify their portfolio through grocery-anchored commercial properties, without taking on the responsibilities of being a landlord.

With a minimum investment of $50,000, investors can own a share of properties leased by national brands like Whole Foods, Kroger and Walmart, which provide essential goods to their communities. Thanks to Triple Net (NNN) leases, accredited investors are able to invest in these properties without worrying about tenant costs cutting into their potential returns.

Simply answer a few questions – including how much you would like to invest – to start browsing their full list of available properties.

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Gadd Crossing

Hixson, TN

Browse on FNRP

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Crowe's Crossing

Stone Mountain, GA

Browse on FNRP

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Bishops Corner

West Hardford, CT

Browse on FNRP

These are a few examples of past properties or acquisitions from FNRP. For a full list of currently available properties, visit the FNRP deal room.

However, owning a share of a project or property this way holds some risk — for instance, you could receive no returns and these assets are often illiquid. Speak to a professional if this investment is right for you, especially if you are retired or close to retirement.

How it works

Four easy steps take you from looking over potential properties to accessing your first positive cash distribition:

Step 1: Learn FNRP provides a wealth of resources to deepen your understanding of its investment opportunities, including in-depth property insights, unrestricted access to the investment’s due diligence documents, drone video footage, presentations from FNRP’s executive investment committee, and investment return calculators.

Step 2: Engage From the start, you’ll be assigned a dedicated Investor Relations associate who provides personalized support tailored to your unique goals and level of experience, helping to streamline the due diligence process.

Step 3: Invest Once you have the minimum investment of $50,000, you’ll confirm your investment with your dedicated Investor Relations associate, review and e-sign your documents and provide proof of accreditation. For repeat investors, the process is even faster. You can complete almost everything online, leveraging FNRP’s secure platform to swiftly add new investment properties to your portfolio.

Step 4: Collect FNRP’s investments are designed to provide investors with quarterly distributions from the cash flow generated by the properties they invest in. Along with potential distributions, FNRP’s Investor Relations team will also keep you informed.

FNRP

Diversify your portfolio with grocery-anchored real estate

Learn more

at fnrpusa.com