Development/Redevelopment

 

Firehouse Subs has a lot more going for it than an interesting story. And the story is unique: A couple of Jacksonville firefighters — brothers, even — opened the first restaurant in 1994, selling sandwiches (with names like ‘Hook & Ladder,’ which is the No. 1 seller) within a decidedly firefighter-themed restaurant environment. The concept was hot from the get-go, leaping to over 300 units in its first decade and now numbering near 900 mostly franchised restaurants.

Ezra Dabah is no stranger to children’s wear. As the former chairman and CEO of The Children’s Place, he helped create a billion-dollar retail powerhouse. Dabah left the company in 2007, but he returned to the kids fashion business with Ruum American Kid’s Wear, a fashion-forward upmarket concept that bowed in 2012 and operates 24 stores, primarily in malls.

  Dallas - Corner Bakery Cafe has signed a five-restaurant deal in Virginia with franchise partner Shahid Ali and operating partner Ibo Pinar. The stores will open throughout Richmond and Fredericksburg.   Corner Bakery Cafe plans on doubling its national footprint of more than 180 stores in the next two years. To accomplish this goal, the retailer is adding new multi-unit franchise partners and currently has franchise agreements representing commitments for an additional 340 units.

CINCINNATI– FRCH Design Worldwide announced that Thomas Smith has joined FRCH as director, new business development for the firm’s Retail/Mixed-Use practice.    Smith will be based in Los Angeles and will be responsible for establishing new relationships for the firm throughout North America, supporting offices in Cincinnati, New York and a soon to be established office in Los Angeles.    

CHICAGO - Top commercial construction trends for 2015 include an increase in retail and restaurant ground-up construction and a rise in shopping mall renovations, according to national general construction firm  Englewood Construction.       

  IRVINE, Calif. - Asics American has opened a 4,000 sq.-ft. store in the heart of New York City’s Times Square. Located on 42nd Street between 6th and 7th Avenue, the Times Square location is the second Asics storefront in New York City as well as the largest in the United States.   

Greenwich, Connecticut - Family-owned and operated jeweler Betteridge’s is relocating to a new flagship position at 239 Greenwich Avenue -- a corner location that is now at the hub of activity and is considered one the crown jewels of Greenwich, Connecticut’s shopping destination.  

Gainesville, Florida - Celebration Pointe, a 125-acre mixed-used development in the heart of Gainesville, has secured a $12 million State Infrastructure Bank (SIB) loan and $34 million in Community Development District (CDD) bonds. Celebration Pointe partner Ralph Conti made the announcement.  

Poughkeepsie, New York - DLC Management Corporation announced its latest acquisition: The Shoppes at South Hills, a 518,000-sq.-ft. grocery-anchored power center in Poughkeepsie, New York.   This acquisition aligns well with DLC’s operations and features anchor tenants ShopRite, Burlington Coat Factory, Christmas Tree Shop, Hobby Lobby and Kmart. Other tenants include Ashley Furniture HomeStore, Bob’s Discount Furniture, and Chuck E. Cheese’s.   

St. Pau, Minnesota - Paster Properties and Bader Development announced that the City of Minnetonka City Council has approved the development of a six-story, 155,000-sq.-ft., mixed-use development at 1730 Plymouth Road, Minnetonka, Minnesota.