Deals

Wilmington, Del. — Law firm Rigrodsky & Long, P.A is investigating potential legal claims against the board of directors of Arden Group, Inc. regarding possible breaches of fiduciary duties and other violations of law related to the company’s entry into an agreement to be acquired by global private investment firm TPG, in a transaction valued at approximately $394 million.

Louisville, Ky. — GBT Realty Corp. has closed on the purchase of approximately 32 acres along Shelbyville Road at I-265 for the development of Middletown Commons in Louisville, Ky. Plans call for the first tenants to open in late 2014.

The mixed-use power center will include more than 225,000 sq. ft. of retail space and six outparcels ranging from 0.6 acres to 1.88 acres. According to GBT Realty, total development costs will likely exceed $50 million.

Private equity firm Bain Capital concluded 2013 with the acquisition of Bob’s Discount Furniture, an operator of 47 stores in the Northeast that is intent on expansion.

Bain acquired a majority ownership position in the Manchester, Conn.-based company and said senior management will continue to own a significant stake. Current CEO Ted English will continue to lead the company whose first order of business for 2014 is entry into the Philadelphia market.

Chicago — Whole Foods has recently acquired six Dominick's stores, the Sun-Times reported, citing real estate sources. And Jewel may buy as many as 16 Dominick's locations.

The news comes as suitors for the remainder of Safeway's Dominick's stores in Chicago, which are now shuttering their doors, are beginning to come forward, according to a report published Saturday in the Chicago Sun-Times. 

Atlanta -- An affiliate of Roark Capital Group has acquired a majority stake in CKE Restaurants Inc., owner of Carl's Jr., Hardee's and various other quick-serve restaurant chains.

Manchester, Conn. — Bob’s Discount Furniture has signed a definitive agreement to sell a majority stake of its business to Bain Capital for an undisclosed amount. Bob's management team will continue to own a "significant stake" after the deal and will remain involved in operations, according to the company, which has been majority owned by private equity firm KarpReilly/Apax for the past nine years.

Dublin, Ohio — The Wendy's Company has sold 30 locations Austin, Texas and another 19 in the Sacramento, Calif.-area in separate transactions. With the completion of the transactions, the company has now either sold or announced sales agreements for a total of 282 restaurants in 2013 as part of its System Optimization initiative.

Chicago, Ill. — Forman Mills, an off price apparel retailer, has leased 38,487 sq. ft. at Grand Plaza in Franklin Park, Ill., according to CBRE, the leasing agent. The new store plans to open next spring.

The Forman Mills lease completes the lease up of a 96,260-sq.-ft. former Kmart, which closed in 2011.  

CBRE began leasing the space in 2012. The first lease was with Big Lots for 29,000 sq. ft. Next came a 29,000-sq.-ft.- lease to Savers Thrift Superstore, which later took another 29,000 sq. ft.

North Plainfield, N.J. — Mattress Warehouse has leased a 21,404-sq.-ft. space at Crossroads Place in Falls Church, Va., according to Levin Management (www.levinmgt.com), the leasing and management agent for the 336,248-sq.-ft. shopping center. The lease signing brings retail occupancy at the center to 100%. JBG Rosenfeld Retail served as the tenant’s broker in the transaction. Plans call for the new store to open in March.

Virginia Beach, Va. — Divaris Real Estate has completed two retail leases totaling more than 21,000 sq. ft. in Richmond.

PetSmart renewed its lease for 19,734 sq. ft. at Parch Place at Short Pump, which is leased and managed by Divaris (www.divaris.com). Metro Commercial Real Estate represented the tenant.

Kamayan Restaurant leased 1,577 sq. ft. in the 360 West Shopping Center, which Divaris leases and manages. The Filipino restaurant joins Rite Aid, AutoZone, Dollar General, Subway, Jackson Hewitt and Radio Shack.