Mergers & Acquisitions

Dallas — Cypress Equities has acquired Eden Prairie Center in Eden Prairie, Minn., an upscale suburb of Minneapolis. The transaction was carried out by a fund managed by Cypress’ real estate investment management group. Eden Prairie Center is a 1.1-million-sq.-ft., two-level, enclosed shopping center. The mall features more than 100 shops and restaurants. Annual shopper visits exceed 12 million.

Coppell, Texas – Alco Stores, Inc. will voluntarily delist its common stock from the Nasdaq Stock Market on or about Oct. 31, 2013. The delisting of the company's shares is subject to stockholder approval of the proposed merger with an affiliate of Argonne Capital Group, LLC.

Ridgefield, Conn. -- Schimenti Construction Company announced it appointed Gregg Bartel as VP of operations. Bartel joins the company from Kohl’s Department Store, where as VP of pre-construction & development, he oversaw site due diligence and development of retail and non-retail construction projects across the United States

Pritzker Group Venture Capital, formerly New World Ventures, has invested $45 million in Chicago-based SMS Assist, a leading mobile and cloud-based facilities maintenance technology company.  
 

Dubuque, Iowa — Mid-America Real Estate Corp.’s Investment Sales team recently brokered the sale of a large portion of the 136,398-sq.-ft. Asbury Plaza in Dubuque, Iowa. The Cafaro organization made the acquisition for $12 million.

The community shopping center is about two miles from Cafaro’s 700,000-sq.-ft. Kennedy Mall.

The community shopping center features national anchor retailers including Michaels, Bed Bath & Beyond and Petco. Shadow anchors include Hy-Vee Grocery Store, Kohl’s and AMC Theater.

Canton, Mass. – Dunkin’ Donuts is increasing its focus on opening stores in college campuses and other non-traditional locations. The list of universities that have recently opened new Dunkin' Donuts restaurants in 2013 or plan to open new locations by January 2014 includes Westfield University (second location), Norwich University, Merrimack College, University of Rhode Island (opening two locations), University of Alabama Huntsville, Brandeis University, and Wayne State University.

New York -- RadioShack has secured a financial boost from GE Capital, securing a loan of about $835 million, according to Marketwatch.com.

The loan, backed by inventory and other existing assets, will help the chain refinance the company's outstanding bank debt and free up cash for its ongoing revamp, the report said.

New York – The Jones Group is reportedly approaching deals to sell its business to Sycamore Group and GIII Apparel Group.

Sycamore Group is an Indianapolis-based real estate firm and GIII is a New York-based apparel licensor and manufacturer. Women’s Wear Daily reports sources indicate Jones Group is close to reaching agreements with both companies.