Deals

New York -- Ritz Camera & Image has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. As part of its restructuring, the company, which has 265 stores in 34 states, plans to close 128 locations and cut its staff of 2,000 in half.

This is the second time Ritz has sought protection under the bankruptcy laws, having emerged from Chapter 11 two years ago.

Secaucus, N.J. -- The Children’s Place announced that it has signed a 10-year franchise agreement with Apparel Group to open stores in the Arab Gulf States of United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman. The first stores are scheduled to open in the UAE in September in Dubai and Sharjah.

Dallas -- 7-Eleven announced that it has completed a transaction to acquire 18 Open Pantry convenience store locations in Wisconsin, primarily in the greater Milwaukee and Madison markets. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

New Rochelle, N.Y. -- X Team partner Welco Realty said that Fairway Supermarket has opened a new store at Plaza 46 shopping center, in Woodland Park, N.J.

The 63,000-sq.-ft. store is the chain’s 10th store, all located in the northeastern United States.
 

Issaquah, Wash. -- Costco Wholesale Corp.’s international executive VP James Murphy said Thursday that the warehouse club operator is pursuing a European expansion program.

Murphy told Bloomberg that Costco is “interested in investing in the obvious four -- Germany, Italy, France and Spain.” The company hasn’t decided which country would debut first and will probably open a store in the region “in the next couple of years,” Murphy said in the Bloomberg interview.

Beachwood, Ohio -- Blackstone's flagship real estate fund and DDR Corp. announced Thursday hat a joint venture formed by the two entities has closed on the acquisition of a portfolio of 46 shopping centers previously owned by EPN Group.

The joint venture has assumed approximately $635 million of senior non-recourse debt and has originated an additional $320 million non-recourse loan facility, which has a five-year term.

Garden City, N.Y. -- Starbucks Coffee Co. has appointed Sabre Real Estate Group LLC as its exclusive broker for northern New Jersey.

Sabre’s Scott Sher and Russel Helbling will spearhead the cafe chain’s site search in Bergen, Passaic, Essex, Union and Hudson Counties, where the chain currently has 52 locations.

Harrisburg, Pa. -- Dollar General Corp. will locate its new distribution center in Bethel Township, Berks County, Pa., creating more than 500 jobs in the area and facilitating the retailer’s expansion in the state.

Deptford, N.J. -- Dallas-based SRS Real Estate Partners said that four new leases have been executed for space at Deptford Landing, located in Deptford, N.J.

DSW Shoe Warehouse has leased 20,014 sq. ft.; Panera Bread has leased 4,900 sq. ft.; Chipotle has leased 2,141 sq. ft.; and Hand and Stone Massage & Facial Spa leased 2,400 sq. ft.
 

Houston -- Marcus & Millichap Real Estate Investment Services said it has hired Derek Hargrove as a senior associate in the Houston office.

In his new position, Hargrove will focus on the sale of multi-tenant shopping centers throughout southwest Texas. He also holds the title of associate director of Marcus & Millichap’s National Retail Group.