Development/Redevelopment

In the name of optimizing its omnichannel approach, Macy's said it plans to close between 35 and 40 department stores at undisclosed locations in early 2016 while moving ahead with expansion of its off price format.

Photo: The Cordish Companies and the City of Norfolk (Virginia) broke ground recently on Waterside District, a redevelopment of the waterfront.

Plainfield, Ind. -- Mid-America Real Estate Group announced that its corporate investment sales team recently brokered the sale of The Shops at Metropolis located in Plainfield, Indiana. Chicago-based Core Equities purchased the 131,195-sq.-ft. center anchored by Burlington Coat Factory and The Room Place.

Joe Girardi and Rick Drogosz of Mid-America Real Estate Corporation were the brokers in the transaction on behalf of Dallas-based Tabani Group.

Garden City, N.Y. -- Simon announced that Roosevelt Field, located in Garden City, New York, has entered its final stages of redevelopment, and also released the names of retail brands to occupy the new two-level retail wing. Most of the stores, with some opening early September, will make their Long Island debut. The new wing will lead to the area's first Neiman Marcus store opening in February 2016.

New York -- Apple is getting ready to unveil its next generation of store design — and the industry is already buzzing over the details.

Unfortunately, there aren’t many available — and the few that are don’t seem very revolutionary. What little specifics known about the store are based on remarks made by Rick Millitello, who presented the new store plan on behalf of Apple to the Germantown Design Review Commission for review. (And yes, it was approved.)

Here are three details:

Apple is about to embark on a whole new path when it comes to the design of its retail stores, starting with its next project in Memphis, Tenn.

According to the Memphis Daily News, Apple’s new location at the Shops of Saddle Creek mall in Germantown will see several departures from the company’s traditional retail look and feel, with the facade set to feature “a matte granite reinforced panel on the exterior wall," among other differences.

Fast-growing online furnishings retailer Wayfair.com plans to host a “Shark Tank-like” business competition for entrepreneurs.

Winners of the "Kitchen Cabinet" contest will receive a $2,500 home office makeover and a business consultation from the home furnishings and decor e-tailer.

Wayfair said the event will take place Oct. 2 and its Heart Home conference, a three-day gathering of bloggers, designers, and other entrepreneurs, at the Boston Copley Marriott. Participants must enter by Sept. 15.

Bloomington, Minn. -- A three-year old specialty grocer that plans 60 stores by 2019 is entering a new state.

Fresh Thyme Farmers Market will open its first Minnesota store, in Bloomington, on Sept. 30.

"Fresh Thyme is excited to open its first Minnesota store in Bloomington," said Fresh Thyme's CEO Chris Sherrell. "We love meeting new people in the communities we join, and we look forward to offering a shopping experience that encourages healthy and nutritious buying habits."