Development/Redevelopment

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart announced that through its Acres for America program it is donating $500,000 to help protect, conserve and restore fragile urban ecosystems in Washington D.C., Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York City. 

Apopka, Fla. -- Winn-Dixie said it has opened its fourth new-format grocery store, this one in Central Florida, on Wednesday, as part of its rollout of an enhanced neighborhood market concept.

The newest store, located in Errol Plaza, is one of 17 planned store remodels. The company expects to invest approximately $5.5 million per store.

New York City -- Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market, the U.S. division of Tesco, has joined the growing number of retailers opening smaller-format stores. The grocery store operator plans to test a new concept, called Fresh & Easy Express, in San Pedro, Calif.

Fresh & Easy’s new format will be in the 4,000 sq. ft. range, compared with its typical 10,000-sq.-ft. footprint.

For more, go to freshneasybuzz.blogspot.com/
 

Philadelphia -- Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust announced that J.C. Penney, Nordstrom Rack, Bravo Cucina Italiana and Forever 21 will join The Cheesecake Factory in 190,000 sq. ft. of anchor space formerly occupied by Strawbridge’s at Willow Grove Park in suburban Philadelphia.

The reconfiguration of the former Strawbridge’s store sets the stage for continuing the fashion-oriented merchandising strategy that differentiates the mall and appeals to a wide range of shopping and dining tastes.

Alexandria, Va. -- Douglas Development announced that Anthropologie has signed a lease for 10,500 sq. ft. in the newly acquired Douglas Development property at 610-12 King Street in Old Town, Alexandria, Va.

Anthropologie will move into the former Hallmark store by the end of this year.

Pleasanton, Calif. -- Ross Stores said Tuesday that it will simultaneously open 12 stores on Oct. 8, all located in the greater Chicago area.

The new Ross Dress for Less stores will open simultaneously in Algonquin, Arlington Heights, Bloomingdale, Crystal Lake, Matteson, Naperville, Niles, Orland Park, Rockford, Schaumburg, Skokie and South Elgin.

"We are excited to be entering the Chicago area, which will significantly expand our national footprint," said Michael Balmuth, vice chairman and CEO, Ross Stores.

Naperville, Ill. -- Centro Properties Group US announced that Gordmans opened a 50,000-sq.-ft. store at Westridge Court, located in Naperville, Ill.
 
The new discount store opened on July 29, joining recently opened retailers Savers thrift store (38,490 sq. ft.) and Dots (4,466 sq. ft.).

Westridge Court is owned by New York City-based Centro.