Content about Geography of North America

Portland, Ore. -- The city council of Portland, Ore., voted to expand the city's one-year old plastic bag ban, voting 5-0 to phase out plastic checkout bags at an estimated 5,000 restaurants and retailers.

The ban will impact retailers larger than 10,000 -sq.-ft. on March 1, 2013, and the remaining retailers on October 1, 2013. Portland's 2011 rule affected fewer than 200 businesses.

Retailers will still be able to provide plastic bags for bulk items, produce, meats, dry cleaning and prescription drugs.

Tallahassee, Fla. -- Jacksonville, Fla.-based Regency Centers has announced the completion of two new anchor leases and the renovation of Carriage Gate, a 78,583-sq.-ft. neighborhood center, located in Tallahassee, Fla.

New Orleans -- Covington, La.-based Stirling Properties said that The Fresh Market will open a new store in New Orleans on July 25, marking the grocery retailer’s fourth store in the state.

“We are excited to open our store in New Orleans and to expand our reach in Louisiana,” said Craig Carlock, Fresh Market president and CEO. “We look forward to introducing The Fresh Market’s concept of quality perishables, excellent customer service and a unique atmosphere to an expanded customer base.”    

Las Vegas -- In a study of 75 online specialty retailers, only 17% of the companies offered dedicated mobile websites.

Jacksonville, Fla. -- Regency Centers announced the addition of Dale Johnston as VP, chief information officer, charged with overseeing Regency’s information technology team nationwide and advancing the company’s technology platforms from its headquarters in Jacksonville, Fla.

Before joining Regency, Dale served as VP and chief information officer for neighborhood shopping center developer and owner Edens in Columbia, S.C. 
 

Voorhees, N.J. -- Philadelphia-based Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust announced that The Sporting Club fitness center has opened a 13,000-sq.-ft. satellite location at Voorhees Town Center, located in Voorhees, N.J.

Located on the Boulevard, Sporting Club joins Firecreek Restaurant + Bar, Doghouse Gourmet Burgers, Coffee Works Café, Rizzieri Studio Salon, Rizzieri Aveda School for Beauty & Wellness, Rizzieri School for the Healing Arts, and It’s A Doggie Dog World, which just opened in early March.

Seattle — REI (Recreational Equipment, Inc.) said Tuesday it is opening a new store in San Antonio, Texas, in the fall of 2012, and will make its Florida debut – in Jacksonville – in spring 2013.

The San Antonio location will occupy 27,500 sq. ft. at Huebner Oaks and the nearly 23,400 sq. ft. store in Jacksonville will be located at The Markets at Town Center.

St. Louis -- Build-A-Bear Workshop will open a store in Sinai Hospital in Baltimore, Md., on Feb. 27. This will be the chain’s second store located inside a hospital.

“When kids are sick or injured, making a new furry friend is a great way to take their mind off of their treatment and a teddy bear hug can help them feel better,” said Maxine Clark, company founder and chief executive. “We’re proud that Build-A-Bear Workshop can bring teddy bear hugs and a positive experience to the children of Sinai Hospital.”

Baltimore -- Jacksonville, Fla.-based Regency Centers said that it has leased space at Festival at Woodholme, located in Baltimore, to Corner Bakery Cafe. 

The fast-casual restaurant leased 3,513 sq. ft. of space and is slated to open in summer 2012. The cafe is the newest addition to an array of new retailers, including Ann Taylor Loft, Francesca’s Collection, Wine Loft and Couture Moda, that recently joined Festival at Woodholme.

Boston -- On The Spot Systems, a mobile systems provider, announced that 7-Eleven is using its Survey on the Spot mobile survey platform to capture feedback from managers in the field. 7-Eleven recognized the critical importance of gaining timely and accurate market-level data in order to make better business decisions and began using the mobile survey system in March, according to On The Spot Systems.

San Francisco — JoS. A. Bank's mobile checkout on Black Friday saw an increase of over 3,000%, compared with its previous daily average.

The m.josbank.com site, powered by 5th Finger's RedShop, has been in operation since early 2011 and offers on-the-go shoppers a detailed product catalog, reviews, educational tools and offers. "JoS. A. Bank considers mobile a critical part of its multichannel strategy, and another way to provide customers with a friendly, quick, and convenient shopping experience,” said Pete Zophy, divisional VP of Ecommerce.