Development/Redevelopment

Houston -- Baker Katz, an X Team International partner and full-service commercial real estate brokerage firm specializing in retail tenant representation, investment sales, and project development and leasing, announced that it has purchased 30,000 sq. ft. of land in Houston and completed a 7,000-sq.-ft. lease on behalf of Advance Auto Parts. Construction will slated to begin this month with an opening in May 2016.

Los Angeles -- Westfield invested $78.3 million into LAX terminal 2 in Los Angeles, transforming nearly 76,000 sq. ft., including more than 15,000 sq. ft. of new dining and retail at Los Angeles International Airport. According to Westfield, the upgrade brings together a vibrant design, local restaurants and signature retail, creating a more holistic customer journey.

Newk’s Eatery is on track with its plans to double in size in the next three years.

The Jackson, Mississippi-based fast-casual chain entered six new markets and increased its store count by 27% in 2015, opening 20 new locations. It currently operates 96 eateries in 13 states.

Publix Super Markets has signed two leases for its first stores in Virginia.

The first Publix locations in that state will be in Bristol and in the greater Richmond area of Glen Allen. The Bristol store, at 54,000 square feet, will be located at the northeast corner of Lee Highway & Clear Creek Road in Washington County. In the greater Richmond area, the Glen Allen store, at 49,000 square feet, will be located at the northeast corner of Nuckols Road & Twin Hickory Road in Henrico County.

Springfield may be home to the “The Simpsons.” But it won’t be home to the first-ever retail store dedicated to the long-running (27 years) television cartoon series.

20th Century Fox has announced that the world's first Simpsons store will open in Beijing, China, in March, followed by a second location, in Shanghai, by June.

Brookstone has unveiled a new retail brand, Carry On, in the Delta Terminal at the Salt Lake City International Airport.

Created for airport locations and designed by Boston-based Bergmeyer Associates, the approximate 800-sq.-ft. store offers an assortment of travel-friendly products, from “packable” apparel to luggage and wallets. Additional locations are expected to open this year.

Coach will celebrate its 75th anniversary with the opening of a three-level flagship on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan,

The store, at the corner of Fifth Avenue and 54th Street, is due to open in the fall.

Specialty outdoor retailer REI is on the move.

The company has two new stores in the works, one in Rochester, New York, and the other in Winter Park, Florida.

Expected to open in fall 2016, REI Rochester will be located at CityGate, which is in the heart of the city's university and hospital district. With the Finger Lakes and several ski resorts nearby, the 27,000-sq.-ft. store will carry gear and apparel for snow and water sports.

Publix Super Markets has signed leases to open its first-ever stores in the state of Virginia.

Alexandria, Va. -- EDENS announced its residential partnership with Gables Residential on the development of 530 First Street in Alexandria, Virginia.

530 First Street will be the next major step in the evolution of Old Town North. EDENS will spearhead a new retail to the neighborhood. The LEED-certified, mixed-use project will offer 232 units of distinct apartment homes above 50,000 sq. ft. of retail.