Development/Redevelopment

New York -- Walmart said it was walking away from its plans to build three stores in Washington, D.C., after the city council passed a bill on late Wednesday setting a higher minimum wage for large retailers.

”This was a difficult decision for us — and unfortunate news for most D.C. residents — but the Council has forced our hand,”  said Wal-Mart spokesman Steven Restivo in a statement released after vote, which passed 8 to 5.

New York -- Uniqlo is expanding its U.S. footprint. The Japanese apparel retailer, a division of Fast Company, will open 10 more U.S. stores this fall, in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and California.
 
The new locations, all in shopping centers, will bring the brand’s presence in the United States to a total of 17 sites.

The 10 new Uniqlo locations include:

Santa Clara, Calif. -- Most malls have food courts. Westfield Valley Fair Mall in California’s Silicon Valley has begun construction of a multi-million dollar dining terrace that will feature indoor and alfresco seating.

Where in Silicon Valley is the mall? It straddles the border between two noted Silicon Valley cities: Santa Clara and San Jose.

New York -- Walmart confirmed in an op-ed in the Washington Post that it will pull the plug on three planned stores in the Washington, D.C., area if the D.C. Council passes a bill setting a higher minimum wage for large retailers. The bill, the Large Retailer Accountability Act (LRAA) of 2013, is scheduled for a vote on Wednesday.

Seattle -- Nordstrom plans to open a third Houston-area Nordstrom Rack location. The approximately 38,000-sq.-ft. store is scheduled to open in fall 2014, at Willowbrook Mall is owned and managed by General Growth Properties  

"We've been looking for opportunities to better serve Houston customers as we continue to grow," said Geevy Thomas, president of Nordstrom Rack.

New York -- Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th announced that it plans to open a new store in Atlanta, Georgia on July 18.

The 28,000-sq.-ft. store will be located in the Outlet Shoppes at Atlanta at Woodstock.

The store will be the third Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th in metropolitan Atlanta, but will be the first store to be modeled after the company’s “luxury-in-a-loft” store design, which highlights the merchandise and facilitates easy shopping.

Los Angeles -- For the second consecutive quarter, the retail availability rate has fallen 30 basis points, according to the latest analysis from CBRE Group. The rate now stands at 12.2% and testifies to improved retailer confidence as consumer spending continues to rebound.

The availability rate tracks space that is actively being marketed and available for tenant build-out within 12 months.

Pittsburgh -- Dick’s Sporting Goods is opening a new store at the Chico Mall in Chico, Calif. on July 12. The Chico location will be the retailer's 29th store in the state of California and its 525th nationwide. The new store will feature more than 40 in-store services performed by expert associates.

"We look forward to becoming part of the Chico community and serving all athletes by providing the equipment they need to help them excel," said Lauren Hobart, Dick’s Sporting Goods chief marketing officer.

Purchase, N.Y. -- Chipotle Mexican Grill has opened at Orange Plaza, an 815,000-sq.-ft. Middletown, N.Y. power-center owned by National Realty & Development Corp.

Orange Plaza’s anchors include a Wal-Mart Supercenter, The Home Depot, Kohl’s Department Store, Burlington Coat Factory, Marshalls, Bed Bath & Beyond and Staples.

The center draws shoppers from a 12-mile radius with a population of more than 157,000. Approximately 20,000 of the 46,000 vehicles passing the center every day are shopping center destination trips.

Olympia, Wash. -- Total Wine & More will open its 96th wine and spirits superstore in Olympia, Wash., on July 18. With over 21,000 sq. ft., the store will offer more than 8,000 wines, 3,000 spirits and 2,500 beers.

The store also houses iPad stations stocked with tasting notes and food pairings, flat screen televisions running programs about winemakers, distillers and brewers and a walk-in humidor. In addition, a classroom provides space for tastings, classes and community meetings.