Content about Puerto Rico

Atlanta -- Global Franchise Group said Wednesday it is expanding its Puerto Rican presence via a multi-unit operator.

A.M.A. Pretzels International opened two Great American Cookies stores in Puerto Rico -- in Plaza Carolina in Carolina, and Plaza Rio Hondo in Bayamon.

"Global Franchise Group is thrilled to have such outstanding multi-unit franchisees expand the Great American Cookies brand in Puerto Rico," said Global Franchise Group chief development officer John Barber.

Beachwood, Ohio -- DDR Corp. announced Tuesday that it has expanded its redevelopment program in Puerto Rico from $50 million to $90 million.

"Increased demand for quality retail space in this supply-constrained market has created unique value-add opportunities in many of our most productive assets," said Paul Freddo, senior EVP leasing and development, DDR. "By executing our strategic redevelopment plan, we are creating attractive opportunities for our key domestic tenants to establish or expand their presence on the island."

Norwalk, Conn. -- LogicSource, a sourcing solutions firm, has entered into a multi-year agreement to provide advisory services and technologies to Burlington Coat Factory, which operates more than 477 stores in 44 states and Puerto Rico.

Bloomfield Hills, Mich. -- Taubman Centers said Thursday that it will begin construction this summer on its 640,000-sq.-ft. Mall of San Juan, in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Formerly known as Plaza Internacional, The Mall of San Juan will be a state-of-the-art, two-level, enclosed mall anchored by a 138,000-sq.-ft. Nordstrom and a 100,000-sq.-ft. Saks Fifth Avenue. It will be the first upscale mall on the island and the first and only location in Puerto Rico for both Nordstrom and Saks. 

New Canaan Conn. -- Gridiron Capital, LLC, in partnership with the founder and existing  management team of Quality Sollutions Inc. announced the acquisition of QSI.

Beachwood, Ohio -- Shopping center owner DDR Corp. said Tuesday that four new Shoe Carnival stores will open at DDR shopping centers in 2012.

The new stores are a result of DDR's focus to consolidate small shop space by reconfiguring and re-leasing space to national retailers, improving tenant mix and the quality of cash flow. At three of the shopping centers, multiple small shop units have been combined to accommodate the new Shoe Carnival stores. The fourth center is located in Puerto Rico.

Beachwood, Ohio -- Shopping center developer DDR Corp. said Monday that Anna's Linens will open three of its first Puerto Rico stores at DDR shopping centers.

These new locations represent the most recent example of DDR's efforts to strategically reduce and reconfigure small shop space at attractive market rents with high-quality tenants.

Beachwood, Ohio -- DDR Corp. said Thursday that six new national tenants will occupy former Borders locations in Puerto Rico, New Jersey, Georgia, Ohio and Missouri.

PetSmart's newest Puerto Rico store will be located in the former Borders location at Plaza Escorial, a 636,000-sq.-ft. power center in Carolina, anchored by Walmart, Sam's Club, Home Depot, Old Navy and Caribbean Cinemas. In 2010, DDR introduced PetSmart to Puerto Rico and this store marks the fourth PetSmart location in a DDR center on the island.

Beachwood, Ohio -- DDR Corp. said Monday it will redevelop four shopping centers in Puerto Rico — Plaza del Sol and Rexville Plaza in Bayamon, Plaza del Norte in Hatillo and Plaza Escorial in Carolina. Total investment is more than $50 million.

Plano, Texas -- J. C. Penney Co. said Wednesday it will acquire the worldwide rights for the Liz Claiborne family of brands, as well as the United States and Puerto Rico rights for the Monet brand for $267.5 million.

The company has been the exclusive licensee for all Liz Claiborne and Claiborne-branded merchandise in the United States and Puerto Rico since August 2010.

New York City -- Spencer Gifts, a mainstay of malls across North America, has leased its first-ever location in Manhattan. The 60-year-old chain operates more than 600 stores in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.

As one of Spencer’s few free-standing locations, the store, located downtown near New York University, encompasses over 1,840 sq. ft. on the ground floor. It is due  to open in advance of the holiday season.