Development/Redevelopment

Ikea is installing the largest solar rooftop array in the state of Tennessee atop its location in Memphis.

The store’s 250,675-sq.-ft. solar array consists of a 1.46 MW system, built with 4,424 panels that will produce approximately 2,000,000 kWh of electricity annually for the store, the equivalent of reducing 1,406 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2)).

For the development, design and installation of the Memphis customized solar power system, Ikea selected Hannah Solar, an Atlanta-based full service, certified solar integrator.

Brookshire Grocery Co. is expanding its portfolio with a new, smaller-store store format.

The chain held three ribbon-cutting ceremonies on Sept. 13, completing the openings of 25 new Spring Market stores in Texas. The stores are located on former Walmart Express sites, which Brookshire acquired in July.

The stores bring Brookshire’s total store count to 177.

The mobile workforce is changing the face of the workplace, and Staples wants to lead the next phase of this change.  

Five Below will open its first store in the state of Minnesota, Marketplace Shopping Center in St. Cloud, on Sept. 23. And more are in the works.    The company will also be opening two other Minnesota locations, in Brooklyn Center and Osseo, on Oct. 7.   

Chain Store Age magazine is accepting nominations for its 12th annual “Top Redevelopers” listing, which recognizes shopping center owners and developers’ retail redevelopment efforts over the last 12 months. Selections will be based on square footage redeveloped between June 30, 2015 and June 30, 2016, financial investment, and project significance.

Construction has started on the first hotel at One Daytona, the $120 million-plus project going up next to the Daytona International Speedway in Florida.   The 105-room Fairfield Inn & Suites being erected by Shaner Hotel Group is a short walk from the track. It will be joined by a Marriott Autograph Collection hotel to be called The Daytona.  

Weiss Markets is expanding its store portfolio.

The retailer plans to convert 38 Food Lion supermarket locations to Weis Markets stores. Weiss Markets has completed the purchase of 38 Food Lion stores and plans to convert the locations to the Weiss banner by the end of October. The acquired stores are located in the states of Maryland, Virginia and Delaware.

Triple Five’s American Dream project in the New Jersey Meadowlands got closer to the finish line today with the announcement that Nickelodeon would be attaching its name and entertainment brands to the retail-entertainment center’s theme park.   To be called Nickelodeon Universe, the 8.5-acre indoor amusement park — reputed by Triple Five to be the Western Hemisphere’s largest — will feature rides themed by Mutant Ninja Turtles, SpongeBob SquarePants, Blaze, and the Monster Machines.  

Boating goods retailer West Marine has leased 14,650 sq. ft. at St. Georges Crossing, bringing the Woodbridge, New Jersey, center to full occupancy.   Leasing agent for the center, Levin Management, reports that several other centers in its portfolio have reached 100% occupancy in recent months, indicating renewed strength in both the economy and retail in the Northeast. Levin handles a portfolio of 95 properties in that region and in Mid-Atlantic states.  

Flip Flop Shops is expanding in both the physical and online channels.   The company, which was acquired by Cherokee Global Brands last year, is introducing a new “super kiosk” format. Measuring approximately 300 sq. ft. and built in the shape of a giant flip flop, the concept is slated for national rollout. It is designed to offer a nimble and novel format expansion to Flip Flop Shops’ retail presence.