Development/Redevelopment

By Glenn Brill, [email protected]

The recent announcement that Ron Johnson of Apple will become J. C. Penny’s new chief executive is a clear indication of the need for many retailers to revitalize the shopping experience. It is also a clarion call and symbolic of the challenge to mall owners, developers, and investors to create and/or revitalize shopping environments that can effectively complement and promote a retailer’s brand.

Camp Hill, Pa. -- On the heels of its report that it narrowed its loss in the fiscal first quarter to $65.5 million, Rite Aid Corp. said it plans to remodel 500 stores by the end of its fiscal year. It will also close 50 more locations, which would give it a total of about 4,650 stores.
 

Real estate acquisition and management firm Jamestown has announced a comprehensive rebranding and revitalization program for its recently acquired property, Alameda Towne Centre, a 594,000-sq.-ft. open-air retail center on Alameda Island, Calif.

Orlando, Fla. -- Cuhaci & Peterson Architects LLC said Thursday it has been awarded contracts to remodel three Winn-Dixie Supermarkets in the Orlando, Fla. area.

The projects include a 35,000-sq.-ft. supermarket in Key West, a 45,000-sq.-ft. store in Pembroke Pines and a 45,000-sq.-ft. store in Apopka.
 

Austin -- Whole Foods Market co-CEO Walter Robb told investors at a Jefferies Global Consumer Conference that the now-300-store chain is expected to grow to 1,000 stores in the United States.

The organic grocer sees opportunity in Canada as well, and Robb said it expects to grow its store count there from six to 35.

SAN FRANCISCO  — Fresh & Easy today opened its San Francisco store. San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee, U.S. Health and Human Services Regional Director Herb Schultz, executives from Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market and dozens of neighborhood leaders were on hand to celebrate the event. The store, is located in the Outer Richmond District at 32nd Avenue & Clement Street.

LAKELAND, Fla. — Publix Super Markets announced that it will make its Knoxville, Tenn. debut in in the Northshore Town Center at Northshore Drive and Pellissippi Pkwy.

“We are proud to offer our unique shopping experience to customers in Knoxville,” said Todd Jones, president of Publix Super Markets. “We are committed to providing premier customer service and look forward to supporting the Knoxville community as early as third quarter 2012.”

Milwaukee -- A Wednesday report by the Milwaukee Business Report said that the Village of Greendale (Wis.) has approved a Walmart and garnered one of several approvals needed for a Macy's at the village’s board meeting held Tuesday.

The board approved rezoning, a special use permit and other plans needed for a 92,000-sq.-ft. Walmart slated to include a pharmacy and grocery with two out-lots for future developments.