Development/Redevelopment

Thousand Oaks, Calif. -- Beverly Hills, Calif.-based Cardinal Equities, through its affiliate Paradise Capital Group, said it has acquired from U.S. Bank a 50,000-sq.-ft. retail and office complex in Dos Vientos Ranch, a master-planned community in Thousand Oaks, Calif.

Paraiso Town Center, built in 2008 and foreclosed on by the construction lender in late 2009, includes 40,000 sq. ft. of ground-level retail and restaurant space with outdoor dining, and 10,000 sq. ft. of office space.

Houston -- Grubb & Ellis Co. said Wednesday that it represented Gulf Coast Commercial Group in the sale of Westheimer Crossing Shopping Center, a 94,053-sq.-ft. retail center in Houston.

Delta Troy Interests Ltd. purchased the property for an undisclosed price.  The property was approximately 90% occupied at the time of sale to multiple tenants, including DSW, REI and Michaels Stores.

Chicago -- Oakbrook Terrace, Ill.-based Mid-America Asset Management said that Charming Charlie will open an 8,650-sq.-ft. store at Geneva Commons, in Geneva, Ill., a western suburb of Chicago.

The new store is slated to open summer 2011 in the 437,650-sq.-ft. lifestyle center, joining a recently opened Sephora, which debuted a 3,909-sq.-ft. store in the center.

Geneva Commons is anchored by Dick’s Sporting Goods, Barnes & Noble, Crate & Barrel, Pottery Barn, H & M, Anthropologie and more.
 

Walmart executive were said to be among a group of major retailers who met with Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel on Wednesday to discuss the elimination of the city’s “food deserts,” essentially areas where roughly 450,000 residents don’t have convenient access to fresh food.

According to an AP report, representatives from Walmart, Walgreen, Aldi and three other chains who were not identified met with Emanuel who reportedly showed a detailed map of the city’s food deserts and made an appeal for projects in specific areas.

Chicago -- Oakbrook Terrace, Ill.-based Mid-America Asset Management said that Chipotle Mexican Grill, along with Clearly Cares Dental, have recently signed leases at Elston Plaza in Chicago.

Denver-based Chipotle Mexican Grill, which leased 2,405 sq. ft., plans to open a restaurant in third quarter 2011. Clearly Cares Dental signed a lease for 1,500 sq. ft. with plans to open this summer.

Elston Plaza is a 91,713-sq.-ft. Jewel/Osco-anchored shopping center in northwest Chicago.
 

Atlanta -- Sandal retailer Flip Flop Shops announced Thursday it has signed its 100th franchisee agreement for a new store to be located in Universal Studios, Calif. The store will be followed by openings in Santa Monica and Las Vegas.

The announcement follows recent news about the growing chain’s master franchise deal for Canada, which will see units open across the country.

New Iberia, La. -- Centro Properties Group announced that T.J. Maxx recently opened a new 24,035-sq.-ft. store at Lagniappe Village, located in New Iberia, La.

New York City-based Centro owns the shopping center.

Tomball, Texas -- Houston-based commercial real estate brokerage Baker Katz said it has acquired the Four Corners Shopping Center in Tomball, Texas.

Baker Katz purchased the 120,000-sq.-ft. center through an investment fund dedicated to real estate development, acquisition and ownership. The center holds the last remaining big-box vacancy in Tomball, a 45,000-sq.-ft. former Kroger space. Baker Katz plans to begin a major renovation on the center later this year and will look to re-lease the space.