Development/Redevelopment

Look for a big number out of Walmart come early October when it discloses 2012 expansion plans for smaller formats in conjunction with the company’s fall analysts’ meeting. Here’s how you can tell. Reading between the lines on the company’s second quarter earnings call transcript Walmart U.S. president and CEO Bill Simon touted the fact that the return on investment for Neighborhood Market stores is now the same as Walmart supercenters. Recall, in the past the rationale for the slow expansion pace of the 40,000-sq.-ft.

City of Industry, Calif. -- Hot Topic reported Wednesday that it tightened its loss in the second quarter to $6.2 million, compared with a loss of $6.3 million a year earlier.

Revenue edged up to $150.9 million from $150 million. Same-store sales rose 2.6% for quarter.

Hot Topic said it will open 25 to 45 Torrid stores in fiscal 2012. It also plans to close 10 to 20 Hot Topic stores and about five Torrid stores next year, and remodel or relocate 40 to 50 Hot Topic stores and 10 to 20 Torrid stores.
 

Port Jefferson Station, N.Y.  -- Centro Properties Group US said that Five Guys Burgers & Fries has opened in Port Jefferson Station, N.Y.

The new 2,400-sq.-ft. restaurant is located at Nesconset Shopping Center, which is owned Centro Properties Group, based in New York City.
 

Chattanooga, Tenn. -- CBL & Associates Properties announced that Jimmy Neely and Kyle Capshaw have joined the company's leasing department.

Neely joins CBL as a senior leasing manager responsible for Hanes Mall in Winston Salem, N.C., and Randolph Mall in Asheboro, N.C. He previously held various positions with Colonial Property Trust of Birmingham, including leasing, development and peripheral property.

Dedham, Mass. -- Chestnut Hill, Mass.-based WS Development said that J. Crew has opened at Legacy Place, located in Dedham, Mass.

The 6,000-sq.-ft. J.Crew is located near Sephora, Apple, and Williams-Sonoma and adjacent to Brooks Brothers, Johnston & Murphy and Orvis.

Opened in 2009, Legacy Place is anchored by Whole Foods Market, L.L. Bean, Showcase Cinema de Lux, and Kings.
 

Mission Viejo, Calif. -- Watt Commercial Properties said it has completed a $6 million renovation of Alicia Towne Plaza in Mission Viejo, Calif.

The 19-month redevelopment project included converting an existing Mervyn’s building for L.A. Fitness and updating the façade treatment for the remainder of the 150,000-sq.-ft. property.

Fort Worth, Texas -- Centro Properties Group US announced that Charming Charlie has opened a new store in Fort Worth, Texas.

The new 8,878-sq.-ft. store recently opened at Trinity Commons, which is owned by Centro Properties, based in New York City.