Corporate Governance

Los Angeles -- Grocery chain Fresh & Easy confirmed reports that its British parent Tesco LLC has sold the brand to private equity firm The Yucaipa Cos., following months of uncertainty about the 200+-unit chain’s future.

Fresh & Easy posted on its website Tuesday that more than 4,000 jobs would be saved under the purchase agreement but that some stores will be closing.  Specific stores have not been identified, and the terms of the agreement weren’t disclosed.

Minneapolis -- Christopher & Banks Corp. reported a loss of $265,000 for the quarter ended Aug. 4, narrowed from a $2.2 million loss in the year-ago period. Sales edged up 1% to $104.2 million from $103.4 million, and same-store sales climbed 7.7%.

Under the leadership of CEO LuAnn Via, the company is in the early stages of a turnaround, with store openings on tap for both fiscal 2013 and a longer-term three-year period.

Dayton, Ohio -- Retail design and brand strategy firm Interbrand Design Forum, the retail division of Interbrand, said it has hired Dirk Defenbaugh as managing director.

Boston -- Restructuring and investment firm Gordon Brothers Group has acquired oil and gas appraisal company Appraisal Systems, and will use the acquisition to propel the launch of GB Energy Partners.
 
GB Energy Partners combines the energy expertise of Gordon Brothers Group, Emerald Technology Valuations and ASI into one comprehensive appraisal and disposition platform.

Jackson, Miss. -- Fresh casual restaurant brand Newk’s Eatery announced the hire of two new support center team members who will assist in the national expansion of the brand.

After nine years in business, Newk’s Eatery has entered a renewed growth mode, with 12 new restaurant locations planned to open before year end 2013. Newk’s currently operates and franchises 59 units in 11 states.

Houston — Transwestern’s Houston headquarters today announced that it is acquiring Richards Barry Joyce & Partners, a full-service real estate firm based in Boston. It will become Transwestern’s 34th U.S. office.

San Diego — Brixmor Property Group has leased approximately 45,000 sq. ft. to Smart & Final Extra! at Brixmor’s San Dimas Plaza in San Dimas, Calif. The supermarket/warehouse store will take over the space formerly occupied by Ralphs. NAI Capital represented Smart & Final.

T.J. Maxx anchors the 119,157-sq.-ft. San Dimas Plaza alongside national retailers Rite Aid, Payless ShoeSource, Sprint and RadioShack.

Old Bridge, N.J. — Dollar Tree has retained R.J. Brunelli & Co. as exclusive leasing agent for all of New Jersey, adding areas south of Route 195 to the northern and central parts of the state that the firm has been handling all along.

Los Angeles — PCG Woodland Hills Topanga LLC, an affiliate of Paragon Commercial Group, has acquired the Woodland Hills Shopping Center located in the Warner Center master planned community in the San Fernando Valley. Paragon Commercial Group acquires, develops and manages high quality, value add retail investments. The seller was Woodland Hills Retail.

The 112,649-sq.-ft. center was 100% leased at the time of the sale. Anchor tenants include Toys “R” Us, Office Depot and Off Broadway Shoes.

Aliso Viejo, Calif. — Honduras has welcomed Johnny Rockets to its first location in the country at City Mall Tegucigalpa. It is the second Central American restaurant — the first opened in Panama City in 2010. The new restaurant spans 2,266 sq. ft. plus a 365-sq.-ft. terrace. It seats 105 diners.

The largest shopping center in the Honduran capital, City Mall features more than 300 shops and restaurants; eight Cinemark theatres; and parking for 1,500 cars.