Content about Orlando

May 7, 2013
New Life

For the fourth consecutive year, there still is not enough ground-up shopping center construction to justify the "Fastest-Growing Developers" ranking that was Chain Store Age standard fare for two decades.

But we may be edging closer to resurrecting a ranking based on who is building new (or, more accurately, newly repurposed) space. Closer, but still not there.

January 31, 2013
The Container Store to open in Tampa, Orlando and Boca Raton, Fla.

The Container Store is expanding its presence in Florida with three new locations set to open in 2013.

New York -- The Container Store is expanding its presence in Florida with three new locations set to open in 2013.
   
The company will open a store in Tampa, Fla., on March 16. The retailer said the Tampa location is its  most requested city for a new store according to its Facebook fans. It will be The Container Store’s third store in Florida, soon to be followed by two additional store openings in Orlando and Boca Raton later this year.

 

January 21, 2013
Publix unveils new design at Lake Nona

Architects Cuhaci & Peterson said they have completed a new design for Publix Supermarket, unveiled at its new store in the Lake Nona Plaza in Southeast Orlando, Fla.

Orlando, Fla. -- Architects Cuhaci & Peterson said Monday they have completed a new design for Publix Supermarket, unveiled at its new store in the Lake Nona Plaza in Southeast Orlando, Fla.   

Total square footage for the supermarket is 54,000 sq. ft., and there is another 23,000 sq. ft. ready for build-out that will eventually accommodate retail shops at the center.

 

October 17, 2012
Corner Bakery Café announces expansion plans

Corner Bakery Café has announced expansion plans for Portland, Ore., Minneapolis-St. Paul and Orlando, Fla.

Dallas -- Corner Bakery Café has announced expansion plans for Portland, Ore., Minneapolis-St. Paul and Orlando, Fla.

The targeted expansion calls for 18 new locations in Minneapolis-St. Paul, 18 in Orlando and 11 in Portland. Corner Bakery Cafe is currently evaluating potential franchisees for each market.

September 12, 2012
Report: Retailers lead U.S. companies in use of solar power; Walmart No. 1

The nation’s chain retailers lead the nation when it comes to commercial solar energy use, according to a report released by the Solar Energy Industries Association and Vote Solar Initiative advocacy group.

Orlando, Fla. -- The nation’s chain retailers lead the nation when it comes to commercial solar energy use, according to a report by the Solar Energy Industries Association and Vote Solar Initiative advocacy group.

August 14, 2012
Couche-Tard Acquires 29 Stores in Orlando

Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. said Tuesday its subsidiary Circle K Stores will acquire 29 stores in Orlando, Fla., from Florida Oil Holdings.

Laval, Quebec -- Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. said Tuesday its subsidiary Circle K Stores will acquire 29 stores in Orlando, Fla., from Florida Oil Holdings.

The transaction is expected to close at the end of August.

The BP-branded stores will be operated by Couche-Tard's Florida Division under the Circle K brand.     

"This is a great opportunity for the Florida Division to strengthen our market share in the Orlando market,” said David Morgan, VP operations, Florida.
 

July 19, 2012
WaWa makes Florida debut with new prototype

Convenience-store operator WaWa has entered the Florida market, opening a store across from Sea World in Orlando.

Orlando, Fla. -- Convenience-store operator WaWa has entered the Florida market, opening a store across from Sea World in Orlando. Four additional units are scheduled to open in the Orlando market during the next four five weeks.

July 13, 2012
Darden Restaurants to acquire Yard House USA

Darden Restaurants announced that it has agreed to acquire Yard House USA, Inc. for $585 million in an all-cash transaction from private equity firm TSG Consumer Partners LLC.

Orlando, Fla. -- Darden Restaurants announced that it has agreed to acquire Yard House USA, Inc. for $585 million in an all-cash transaction from private equity firm TSG Consumer Partners LLC. Yard House operates 39 restaurants in 13 states.

The brand will become part of Darden's Specialty Restaurant Group, which includes The Capital Grille, Bahama Breeze, Seasons 52 and Eddie V's.

July 10, 2012
Container Store to open three Florida locations

The Container Store said it will open three Florida locations in 2013 – in Orlando, Tampa and Boca Raton – joining its two existing Sunshine State stores in Hallandale Beach and Miami.

Dallas – The Container Store said Tuesday it will open three Florida locations in 2013 – in Orlando, Tampa and Boca Raton – joining its two existing Sunshine State stores in Hallandale Beach and Miami.

The Orlando store is slated to open spring 2013 and occupy 25,000 sq. ft. in the Mall at Millenia. The Tampa store, also 25,000 sq. ft., will be located one block south of International Plaza Mall. An opening date is still to be determined.

June 28, 2012
Ikea powers up solar panels at Orlando store

Ikea said that it has officially plugged-in the solar energy system installed at its store in Orlando, Fla.

Orlando, Fla. -- Ikea said Wednesday that it has officially plugged-in the solar energy system installed at its store in Orlando, Fla.

The 120,900-sq.-ft. PV array consists of a 967-kW system, built with 4,115 panels. The retailer said the program will produce approximately 1,421,500 kWh of clean electricity annually, the equivalent of reducing 1,080 tons of carbon dioxide, eliminating the emissions of 192 cars or powering 122 homes yearly.

June 27, 2012
SRS Real Estate names exec in Orlando office

SRS Real Estate Partners said it has named Adam Gerry as a first VP in the Orlando, Fla., office.

Dallas -- SRS Real Estate Partners said it has named Adam Gerry as a first VP in the Orlando, Fla., office.

Before joining SRS, Gerry was VP sales and leasing for J. Wayne Miller Co., an Orlando-based principal, development and brokerage firm.
 

May 14, 2012
Jones Lang LaSalle awarded assignments for retail centers in Florida

Jones Lang LaSalle announced that it was selected for two retail assignments in Florida: management and leasing for the Galleria at Fort Lauderdale in Ft. Lauderdale and management for Vero Beach Outlets in Vero Beach.

Orlando, Fla. -- Jones Lang LaSalle announced that it was selected for two retail assignments in Florida: management and leasing for the Galleria at Fort Lauderdale in Ft. Lauderdale and management for Vero Beach Outlets in Vero Beach.

The Galleria at Fort Lauderdale is a 964,423-sq.-ft. super-regional mall in South Florida, anchored by Neiman Marcus, Macy’s and Dillard’s.

April 16, 2012
Walgreens expands partnership with Car Charging Group

Walgreens and Car Charging Group, a nationwide provider of electric vehicle (EV) charging services, have expanded EV charging services to 13 Walgreens locations in Orlando and Tampa/St. Petersburg, Fla.

Miami Beach, Fla. -- Walgreens and Car Charging Group, a nationwide provider of electric vehicle (EV) charging services, have expanded EV charging services to 13 Walgreens locations in Orlando and Tampa/St. Petersburg, Fla.

The two companies plan to broaden their EV charging services with more locations in major metropolitan cities in Florida, as well as in other cities including Phoenix; Akron, Canton and Columbus, Ohio; and Austin, Texas.

October 27, 2011
Great Clips to open at Shoppes at Citrus Park

Orlando, Fla.-based Crossman & Co. said that it has negotiated a five-year lease at the Shoppes of Citrus Park, in Tampa, Fla.

Tampa, Fla. -- Orlando, Fla.-based Crossman & Co. said that it has negotiated a five-year lease at the Shoppes of Citrus Park, in Tampa, Fla.

Great Clips will open a 1,200-sq.-ft. shop at the Shoppes of Citrus Park.
 

June 30, 2011
Bealls to open at Loop West shopping center

Boston-based The Wilder Cos. said that Bealls will open a new department store at Loop West, located in the southern portion of the Orlando, Fla., market.

Orlando, Fla. -- Boston-based The Wilder Cos. said that Bealls will open a new department store at Loop West, located in the southern portion of the Orlando, Fla., market.

Loop West, along with adjacent center The Loop, make up an 840,000-sq.-ft. shopping complex housing 14 specialty anchors and 55 shops, services and eateries. Anchors include Kohl’s, J.C. Penney, TJ Maxx, Bed Bath & Beyond, DSW Shoes, Regal Cinema and more.

June 30, 2011
Duane Reade wins IBM Retail User Group’s Retail Innovation Award

The IBM Retail User Group announced Thursday that drugstore retailer Duane Reade is the winner of its 2011 Retail Innovation Award.

Strongsville, Ohio -- The IBM Retail User Group announced Thursday that drugstore retailer Duane Reade is the winner of its 2011 Retail Innovation Award.

The award, which was accepted by Richard Gilbert, director of store systems for Duane Reade, was presented at the User Group’s 34th annual conference in Orlando, Fla., in May.

The innovative solution provider Retail Tech jointly with RTC Group and Agilysys were also honored with the 2011 Retail Solution Innovation Award.

June 23, 2011
Cuhaci & Peterson to remodel three Winn-Dixie supermarkets

Cuhaci & Peterson Architects LLC said Thursday it has been awarded contracts to remodel three Winn-Dixie Supermarkets in the Orlando, Fla. area.

Orlando, Fla. -- Cuhaci & Peterson Architects LLC said Thursday it has been awarded contracts to remodel three Winn-Dixie Supermarkets in the Orlando, Fla. area.

The projects include a 35,000-sq.-ft. supermarket in Key West, a 45,000-sq.-ft. store in Pembroke Pines and a 45,000-sq.-ft. store in Apopka.
 

April 27, 2011
Build-A-Bear Workshop to make airport debut

Build-A-Bear Workshop is teaming up with Orlando International Airport to open a new store in mid-May.

St. Louis -- Build-A-Bear Workshop is teaming up with Orlando International Airport to open a new store in mid-May. It will be the first Build-A-Bear Workshop store located inside an airport.

The Build-A-Bear Workshop store at Orlando International Airport will be located in the Main Terminal. The store will provide the same experience and interaction as mall-based Build-A-Bear Workshop retail locations.
 

April 5, 2011
Simon launches installation of electric vehicle charging stations

Mall owner Simon Property Group announced Tuesday that it has completed its first installation of an electric vehicle charging station at one of its shopping centers.

Indianapolis -- Mall owner Simon Property Group announced Tuesday that it has completed its first installation of an electric vehicle charging station at one of its shopping centers.

The initial installation has been completed at Simon's Florida Mall in Orlando and will be complete at Stanford Shopping Center in Palo Alto, Calif., later in April.

April 1, 2011
Olive Garden to remodel more than half its locations

Olive Garden plans to remodel or refresh more than half of its 700 plus restaurants across the United States to its new Tuscan farmhouse-inspired design.

Orlando, Fla. -- Olive Garden plans to remodel or refresh more than half of its 700 plus restaurants across the United States to its new Tuscan farmhouse-inspired design.

Called “Via Tuscany,” the updated décor includes new tables, chairs and booths, a palette of warm, rustic tones and design elements of a farmhouse in Tuscany. Other updates include new window treatments.

February 7, 2011
Four new tenants join Rialto mixed-use property

The Wilder Cos. and CNL Commercial Real Estate said Friday that three new retailers and a new eatery will open at Rialto, located in Orlando, Fla.

Orlando, Fla. -- The Wilder Cos. and CNL Commercial Real Estate said Friday that three new retailers and a new eatery will open at Rialto, located in Orlando, Fla.

Wilder, the developer and owner of Rialto, said iStudio Salon, The Spectacle Shop, You Nails and Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwiches will open this spring through early summer.

Rialto is a 350,000-sq.-ft. mixed-use project that is slated to include more than 75,000 sq. ft. of retail and restaurants, 50,000 sq. ft. of Class A office space and 200 luxury residential units.

February 3, 2011
Dylan’s Candy Bar opens in Palm Desert, Calif.

Dylan’s Candy Bar has opened an outpost in Marriott’s Shadow Ridge in Palm Desert, Calif.

New York City -- Dylan’s Candy Bar has opened an outpost in Marriott’s Shadow Ridge in Palm Desert, Calif.

With its bright turquoise walls with a candy-coated ceiling, custom candy-themed light fixtures and signature “Whirly Pop” Tree with its branches of lickable lollipops and candy-inspired apparel and accessories, the shop is modeled after Dylan’s Manhattan flagship. Other Dylan’s stores are located in East Hampton and Roosevelt Field, N.Y.; Orlando, Fla.; and Houston.

February 1, 2011
Red Lobster to remodel nearly 700 locations to updated design

Red Lobster announced a plan to remodel all of its nearly 700 restaurants across the United States and Canada to a design inspired by the seafaring village of Bar Harbor, Maine.

Orlando, Fla. -- Red Lobster announced a plan to remodel all of its nearly 700 restaurants across the United States and Canada to a design inspired by the seafaring village of Bar Harbor, Maine. Thirty-three percent of the chain’s restaurants will be remodeled by June 2011, with the goal of all Red Lobster restaurants receiving a remodel by 2014. 

January 28, 2011
Dunkin’ Donuts announces agreement for 16 new locations across Florida

Dunkin' Donuts has signed agreements with four franchisees to develop 16 restaurants in Tampa, Orlando and Tallahassee over the next several years.

Canton, Mass. -- Dunkin' Donuts has signed agreements with four franchisees to develop 16 restaurants in Tampa, Orlando and Tallahassee over the next several years.

Dunkin' Donuts development throughout Florida is part of a steady and strategic growth strategy, which includes expanding in existing markets while entering new cities across the country.

January 5, 2011
Home Depot’s Menear honored with City of Hope award

In recognition of his business and philanthropic achievements, The Home Depot’s executive VP merchandising, Craig Menear, will receive The Spirit of Life Award from City of Hope’s Hardware/Homebuilding Industry group.

Los Angeles -- In recognition of his business and philanthropic achievements, The Home Depot’s executive VP merchandising, Craig Menear, will receive The Spirit of Life Award from City of Hope’s Hardware/Homebuilding Industry group. Menear will be honored Jan. 11, at a reception, at the Rosen Plaza Hotel in Orlando, Fla., by colleagues and industry members. The day will begin with a golf tournament event that supports City of Hope’s lifesaving research, education and treatment programs for cancer and other life-threatening diseases.