Development/Redevelopment

In Fall 2001, Steiner + Associates and Georgetown Co. completed the second phase of mixed-use trendsetter in Easton Town Center, Columbus, Ohio -- and a decade later, the 1.7-million-sq.-ft. development stands as testament that the right project in the right location with the right uses can survive even the most trying economic conditions.

Chain Store Age talked with Yaromir Steiner, CEO of Columbus-based Steiner + Associates, about Easton’s staying power during a recession, and its continued evolution as it strives to remain relevant.

Dickson City, Pa. -- Conshohocken, Pa.-based Metro Commercial announced Tuesday that it has brokered a 52,450-sq.-ft. lease for Hobby Lobby Stores at Kohl’s Plaza in Dickson City (Lackawanna County), Pa., about eight miles northeast of Scranton.

Construction on the space is currently underway and the new location is expected to open in February 2012.

The new location is Hobby Lobby’s fifth in Pennsylvania.
 

Richardson, Texas -- Restaurant chain Wingstop said it has executed development agreements with franchise operators to open 15 new Wingstops in the Atlanta market.

Three development agreements, including an 11-store deal with Tomahawk Brands LLC, will allow the Texas restaurant chain to expand its Atlanta presence from two locations to 17. The first unit under the new agreements is slated to open in early 2012.

New York City -- Centro Properties Group US announced that three Big Lots have joined its portfolio, encompassing 92,006 sq. ft. and bringing Big Lots’ total store count with Centro to 49 locations.

A 30,000-sq.-ft. Big Lots opened at Arapahoe Crossings, in Aurora, Colo.; a 28,000-sq.-ft. store opened at Lagniappe Village, in New Iberia, La.; and a 34,006-sq.-ft. lease has been executed with Big Lots at Panama City Square, located in Panama City, Fla.
 

Mexico City -- Chicago- and Atlanta-based Jones Lang LaSalle announced a major expansion of the firm’s full-service operations in Mexico with the addition of retail services.

The firm said it has hired Luis Llaca to focus on a wide range of retail services across Mexico, reporting to Pedro Azcue, CEO of Jones Lang LaSalle Mexico.

Luis was previously VP of retail operations in Mexico for CB Richard Ellis.    
 

Boca Raton, Fla. -- Office Depot is expanding into the Caribbean as part of its franchise agreement with Benmore International. The company has opened a store in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. It plans to open three additional locations in the Dominican Republic in 2012.

In addition to its operations in various Central American countries and Puerto Rico, Office Depot plans to further expand its business throughout the Caribbean.

Indianapolis -- The Finish Line has invested $8.5 million to acquire an 18-store chain of specialty running shops with locations in Connecticut, District of Columbia, Florida, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and Texas. The stores operate under banners such as Greater Boston Running Co., Texas Running Co., Georgetown Running Co., Princeton Running Company, New York Running Co. and others.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Fresh & Easy is slated to open its first six stores in the Sacramento region in 2012.

The stores will include three in Sacramento, one in Lincoln, one in Elk Grove and one in Folsom. The chain, which has opened 13 stores in northern California this year, opened a store in the Bayview-Hunters Point neighborhood of San Francisco last week.