Content about Newsletter: SiteTalk

May 22, 2013

The International Council of Shopping Centers' annual RECon real estate convention in Las Vegas is now officially a wrap. CSA columnist Jeff Green reflects on this year's show.

“One of the strange ironies of the 2013 convention is that — despite more bookings, a sold-out convention and more activity than we’ve seen in years — the convention doesn’t feel as busy as it has in years past. I suspect this is largely because three of the biggest names in the industry, Macerich, Simon, and Westfield, don’t have booths at the convention center this year. Make no mistake, they are still here in Vegas — they have just moved over to Caesar’s Palace.

May 22, 2013

Simon Property Group announced that it plans to enhance and expand Woodbury Common Premium Outlets, in Central Valley, N.Y.

Indianapolis -- Simon Property Group announced that it plans to enhance and expand Woodbury Common Premium Outlets, in Central Valley, N.Y. The $170 million project will include architectural improvements to existing buildings and the development of new retail spaces and facilities, landscape improvements, and the integration of new customer amenities.

May 21, 2013

Footwear/accessories retailer DSW Inc. opened a new store in Braintree, Mass., on May 18.

Columbus, Ohio – Footwear/accessories retailer DSW Inc. opened a new store in Braintree, Mass., on May 18. The new store is located at 250 Granite Street.

DSW currently operates 377 stores in 42 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

 

May 21, 2013

Family Dollar presented its annual Strategic IT Partner of the Year award to Trade Area Systems at its IT Strategic Partner.

Matthews, N.C. – Family Dollar presented its annual Strategic IT Partner of the Year award to Trade Area Systems at its IT Strategic Partner last month. In September 2012, Family Dollar implemented the Trade Area Systems TAS Unity solution to give real estate managers mobile access to a database of real estate photos, comments and other relevant data.

May 21, 2013

Real estate development firm Kemper Freeman is moving ahead with a $1.2 billion expansion of The Bellevue Collection, a regional shopping center located in Bellevue, Wash.

Bellevue, Wash. – Real estate development firm Kemper Freeman is moving ahead with a $1.2 billion expansion of The Bellevue Collection, a regional shopping center located in Bellevue, Wash. The expansion will add two million sq. ft. of retail, office, hotel, residential, dining and entertainment space.

May 20, 2013

Starbucks subsidiary Seattle’s Best Coffee opened 10 new drive-through windows at restaurants throughout the Dallas/Fort Worth area.

SEATTLE — Starbucks subsidiary Seattle’s Best Coffee opened 10 new drive-through windows at restaurants throughout the Dallas/Fort Worth area.

Items available for drive-through purchase include 12 combo specials priced $5 or less.

May 20, 2013

Fast food hamburger chain Smashburger plans to more than double its nationwide store count to about 500 in the next few years. The chain currently runs about 200 locations across the US.

Denver -- Fast food hamburger chain Smashburger plans to more than double its nationwide store count to about 500 in the next few years. The chain currently runs about 200 locations across the U.S.

According to public comments from Smashburger chariman and CEO Dave Prokupek, the chain may also launch a U.S. IPO at some point in the future. “The idea of good food fast isn’t going to go away anytime soon,” said Prokupek.

 

May 17, 2013

Bloomingdale’s plans to open a 167,000-sq.-ft., three-level store at the Ala Moana Center in Honolulu in fall 2015.

New York -- Bloomingdale’s plans to open a 167,000-sq.-ft., three-level store at the Ala Moana Center in Honolulu in fall 2015. It will be the retailer’s first location in the state of Hawaii.

The new store will be part of a redevelopment of a portion of Ala Moana, by GeneralGrowth Properties. Construction will begin in 2014. The upscale chain of department stores, owned by Macy’s, will join a Macy’s store which already operates at the shopping center.

May 17, 2013

New York -- Brixmor Property Group has appointed Michael V. Pappagallo as president and CFO, effective May 20.

Pappagallo will play an integral role in the execution of Brixmor's long-term business and capital markets strategy.  In addition, he will lead the company's finance and accounting teams, as well as have functional oversight of its property operations, information technology, acquisitions/dispositions and investor relations efforts.

May 17, 2013

Gourmet cupcake bakery Cupcake Charlie’s will celebrate the opening of its fourth location on May 18, at Patriot Place in Foxborough, Mass.

Foxborough, Mass. -- Gourmet cupcake bakery Cupcake Charlie’s will celebrate the opening of its fourth location on May 18, at Patriot Place in Foxborough, Mass.

The growing business also has locations in Mashpee, Plymouth and Newport, R.I.
 

 

May 17, 2013

Douglas Development said that specialty candy store IT’SUGAR will join soft-serve yogurt shop FrozenYo and bar concept Jackpot Tavern in Chinatown, across from the Verizon Center and Gallery Place Metro Station, in Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C. -- Douglas Development said that specialty candy store IT’SUGAR will join soft-serve yogurt shop FrozenYo and bar concept Jackpot Tavern in Chinatown, across from the Verizon Center and Gallery Place Metro Station, in Washington, D.C.

May 17, 2013

General Growth Properties said that its Oakbrook Center property in Chicago has welcomed Fixtures Living, an experiential showroom concept based in San Diego.

Chicago -- General Growth Properties said that its Oakbrook Center property in Chicago has welcomed Fixtures Living, an experiential showroom concept based in San Diego.

The Oakbrook Center store is the company’s first outside of California. It is slated to open in spring 2014 and will be Fixtures Living's fifth overall and the second one situated within a luxury retail center – the other being Glendale (Calif.) Galleria.

May 17, 2013

Marcus & Millichap Real Estate Investment Services has promoted Gabriel A. Britti to associate VP investments.

Miami -- Marcus & Millichap Real Estate Investment Services has promoted Gabriel A. Britti to associate VP investments.

Most recently, Britti was a senior associate. He is also an associate director of the firm’s National Retail Group.

 

May 17, 2013

Longmont, Colo. -- NewMark Merrill Mountain States named three new anchors for the redeveloped Twin Peaks Mall: Whole Foods Market, Regal Cinemas and Sam’s Club.

The project, which is slated to open in 2014, also unveiled its new name – Village at the Peaks.

May 17, 2013

Tex-Mex family restaurant operator Uncle Julio’s will join Plymouth Meeting Mall in late 2013, according to mall owner Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust (PREIT), based in Philadelphia.

Philadelphia -- Tex-Mex family restaurant operator Uncle Julio’s will join Plymouth Meeting Mall in late 2013, according to mall owner Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust (PREIT), based in Philadelphia.

The 9,300-sq.-ft. location will be the first in Pennsylvania, and marks the completion of The Plaza Shops extension, which is anchored by Whole Foods and includes Massage Envy, Coldwater Creek, Loft, Chico’s, Olly Shoes, Orvis, and Jos. A. Bank.

May 17, 2013

A huge redevelopment in Longmont, Colo., now has big new tenant names to promote. NewMark Merrill Mountain States has just named three new anchors for the redeveloped Twin Peaks Mall: Longmont’s first Whole Foods Market; a new, state-of-the-art Regal Cinemas; and Sam’s Club.

A huge redevelopment in Longmont, Colo., now has big new tenant names to promote. NewMark Merrill Mountain States has just named three new anchors for the redeveloped Twin Peaks Mall: Longmont’s first Whole Foods Market; a new, state-of-the-art Regal Cinemas; and Sam’s Club. The project, which is slated to open in 2014, also unveiled its new name – Village at the Peaks.
 

May 17, 2013

Wegmans is pushing back the scheduled opening of a new store in Newton, Mass., until spring 2014.

New York – Wegmans is pushing back the scheduled opening of a new store in Newton, Mass., until spring 2014. The grocery retailer is citing construction delays and demands of other projects, such as the upcoming grand opening of a replacement store in Rochester, N.Y., this Sunday, for causing the later opening of the new suburban Boston location.

Wegmans currently operates one store in Massachusetts, a 138,000-sq.-ft. facility in the town of Northborough.

 

May 15, 2013

For the first time in quite some time, attendees at the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) Spring Convention in Las Vegas (RECon) might be hoping that what happens in Vegas doesn’t stay in Vegas.

For the first time in quite some time, attendees at the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) Spring Convention in Las Vegas (RECon) might be hoping that what happens in Vegas doesn’t stay in Vegas. There is no doubt in my mind that all the signs are pointing to an event that looks very different than the last few years. The convention runs from Sunday, May 19th through Wednesday, May 22nd at the Las Vegas Convention Center, and will play host to more than 30,000 attendees, around 1,000 exhibitors, and a renewed sense of enthusiasm about the future of our industry.

May 15, 2013

When Renaissance at Colony Park opened in Ridgeland, Miss., in 2008, it created a stir not only among the local residents of Ridgeland, Miss., but also within the retailer and shopping center communities as a whole.

When Renaissance at Colony Park opened in Ridgeland, Miss., in 2008, it created a stir not only among the local residents of Ridgeland, Miss., but also within the retailer and shopping center communities as a whole.

The project, developed by Mattiace Properties and H.C. Bailey Cos., pulled together the aesthetic elements of a Main Street and town center format with strategic, traffic-driving retail, entertainment and dining offerings.

May 14, 2013

CBRE Group released research findings on Tuesday that showed Hong Kong continued to keep its top spot as the world's most expensive global retail market, recording prime rents nearly 150% higher than New York City.

Los Angeles -- CBRE Group released research findings on Tuesday that showed Hong Kong continued to keep its top spot as the world's most expensive global retail market, recording prime rents nearly 150% higher than New York City.

London ranked third, with prime rental rates 400% lower than Hong Kong’s.

May 14, 2013

A report by Reuters said that J.C. Penney Co.’s real estate holdings – including stores, DCs and headquarters – are worth a total of $4.06 billion.

New York -- A Tuesday report by Reuters said that J.C. Penney Co.’s real estate holdings – including stores, DCs and headquarters – are worth a total of $4.06 billion.

An appraisal was conducted for Penney and subsequently disclosed in a presentation to potential lenders that was also filed with U.S. regulators.
 

May 14, 2013

Shelter Cove Towne Centre, in Hilton Head Island, has launched a new website, Sheltercovetownecentre.com, designed to reflect the center's approach to relaxation and rejuvenation.

Hilton Head Island, S.C. -- Shelter Cove Towne Centre, in Hilton Head Island, has launched a new website, Sheltercovetownecentre.com, designed to reflect the center's approach to relaxation and rejuvenation.

May 13, 2013

Cassidy Turley announced the promotion of five employees at its Minneapolis office.

Minneapolis -- Cassidy Turley announced the promotion of five employees at its Minneapolis office.
 
Brian Woolsey has been promoted to managing director; he previously served as senior VP. Jennifer Pelant has been promoted to associate VP from associate; Mark Richardson has been promoted to assistant chief operating engineer, from lead operating engineer; Angela Samargia has been promoted to senior property manager, from property manager; and Robert Franks was promoted to business manager from senior office manager.
 

 

May 13, 2013

Charter Realty & Development said that it has signed a lease with consignment boutique Chic 2 Chic at the Foxborough Plaza, a 118,844-sq.-ft. shopping center in Foxborough, Mass.

Foxborough, Mass. -- Charter Realty & Development said that it has signed a lease with consignment boutique Chic 2 Chic at the Foxborough Plaza, a 118,844-sq.-ft. shopping center in Foxborough, Mass.

The 22,000-sq.-ft. store is a relocation from downtown Foxborough and is the company’s only current store in the state.

The Foxborough Plaza, owned and managed by WP Realty, is almost 100% occupied, anchored by Ocean State Job Lot, and also featuring Dollar Tree, Dunkin Donuts and Xtreme Fitness.

 

May 13, 2013

DDR Corp. announced a strategic agreement with MobileBits Holdings Corp., provider of SAMY, a mobile marketing and engagement platform, to acquire DDR's proprietary location-based mobile marketing solution ValuText.

Beachwood, Ohio -- DDR Corp. announced a strategic agreement with MobileBits Holdings Corp., provider of SAMY, a mobile marketing and engagement platform, to acquire DDR's proprietary location-based mobile marketing solution ValuText.

MobileBits will integrate the ValuText product into the SAMY solution and will make the solution available to DDR tenants and shopping centers. SAMY is an innovative 'mobile mall' application that allows shoppers to gain instant access to the latest discounts, coupons and loyalty cards, via their mobile devices.