Content about 2nd millennium

Colton, Calif. -- The Hodgdon Group announced that it has completed construction of the conversion of a former Babies "R" Us building at Eastland Center in West Covina, Calif., for the opening of an Ashley Furniture HomeStore on March 15.

Hodgdon Group's HMC Construction handled all entitlements and served as the design-build contractor for the major renovation of the 42,000-sq.-ft. freestanding building. The West Covina location, in Eastland Center, represents the 15th Ashley Furniture HomeStore to be completed by the Hodgdon Group.

Norwalk, Conn. -- Charter Realty & Development said that it has arranged a 2,350-sq.-ft. lease for Verizon located in the Dress Barn Plaza in Norwalk, Conn.

Dress Barn Plaza also contains Dress Barn and Dress Woman. Verizon will be relocating and expanding from a nearby location.

Woonsocket, R.I. -- CVS Caremark Corp. reported Tuesday that profit for the quarter ended June 30 leaped 18.4% to a record $966 million from $816 million last year, boosted by the contractual impasse between rival Walgreens and Express Scripts.

Revenue for the quarter climbed 16.3% to $30.7 billion from $26.4 billion, missing Wall Street’s estimated $31.02 billion in revenue. Front-end same-store sales increased 2.3% for the quarter.

Toronto -- Loft, a division of Ann Inc. — formerly known as Ann Taylor — will open its first Canadian location at Yorkdale Shopping Centre in Toronto, Ontario, in late 2012.

"Canada represents a natural step as we move to expand internationally, and we are excited to open our first store outside the U.S. in such a vibrant city like Toronto," said Gary Muto, brand president.

Jacksonville, Fla. -- Bi-Lo has announced that it has successfully completed its merger with Winn-Dixie Stores. The two banners now will be subsidiaries of privately held parent company Bi-Lo Holding. Bi-Lo and Winn-Dixie will continue to operate under the same banners, and the company said it does not expect any store closures as a result of the merger.

Petaluma, Calif. -- Jacksonville, Fla.-based Regency Centers said it will begin construction of East Washington Place, a 378,000-sq.-ft. community center anchored by Target.

Located in Petaluma, Calif., the new development is strategically located at the intersection of two main arterial roads, East Washington Street and Highway 101, with daily traffic counts in excess of 92,000. Regency Centers will invest approximately $61 million into the project, which will create approximately 380 construction jobs and 720 permanent jobs.

Champaign, Ill. -- Electronics and appliances retailer Hhgregg is taking a 35,000-sq.-ft. space left vacant by defunct Linens ‘N Things, at Champaign Town Center in Champaign, Ill.

Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores will open a 17,820-sq.-ft. store in the same shopping center. Oakbrook Terrace, Ill.-based Mid-America Asset Management made the announcements.

Both stores are estimated to open in spring 2012, and will be adjacent tenants.

Arlington, Va. -- The Retail Industry Leaders Association said Thursday that it will hold the first-ever Labor and Employment Law Forum on March 21-22, at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.

The conference is intended to provide insights from members of Congress, legal experts and retailers on the latest issues on labor and employment law affecting the retail industry.

Pleasanton, Calif. -- Safeway Inc. named Lori Raya as president of its Vons division.

In her most recent position as senior VP, Main Meal, Raya had responsibility for the company's largest portfolio of center-store business units including ingredients, beverages and snacks.

Pleasanton, Calif. -- Safeway Inc. is exiting the Philadelphia market. The company announced it has reached a definitive agreement to sell 16 of its Genuardi's stores in the greater Philadelphia area to Giant Food Stores, LLC, a division of Ahold USA.

The deal is valued at $106 million.

In addition, Safeway plans to close three Genuardi's stores and sell the remaining eight Genuardi's stores, which it will continue to operate while it is working with potential buyers.

Poway, Calif. -- Jacksonville, Fla.-based Regency Centers said that Villa Capri Ristorante has leased restaurant space at Twin Peaks shopping center, located in Poway, Calif.

The 2,570-sq.-ft. restaurant is slated to open in January 2012, bringing the center to 98% leased.

Twin Peaks is a 198,139-sq.-ft. shopping center home to several national and regional retailers such as Target, Albertsons, Starbucks and Subway.