Development/Redevelopment

Eagan, Minn. -- Steak buffet chain Buffets Inc. said that it has appointed Keith Kravcik as its CFO. The company also created a new position – director, office of the CEO and corporate administration – and promoted Jackie Fiebelkorn to the slot.

Kravcik will be responsible for all finance, accounting, purchasing and IT functions as well as continuing to strengthen the back office services organization. Fiebelkorn will lead the office for the CEO and oversee administrators throughout the organization.  

Brooklyn, N.Y. -- West Elm is opening its first location in Missouri – at the St. Louis Galleria.

The 8,385-sq.-ft. store, slated to open in July, will incorporate works by local artists as part of its plan to support St. Louis talent.

“Our customers are as passionate about supporting artists in their local communities as we are at West Elm,” said Jim Brett, president of West Elm. “We are proud to be incorporating some of St. Louis’ most talented artists into the assortment for our new store.”

Naples, Fla. -- Kite Realty Group Trust has begun work on a $10 million renovation of the 85,497-sq.-ft. Kings Lake Square in Naples, Fla.

The renovation will demolish the center’s Publix anchor and construct a new 45,000-sq.-ft. new Publix. Additional work includes renovated shop facades new sidewalks, a new parking lot, site lighting and landscaping.

Publix will close this month and reopen the new store next spring. All other tenants will remain open during the renovation.

San Jose, Calif. -- Togo’s Eateries has announced a multi-unit franchise agreement in Utah. Six new franchised restaurants will open in the Salt Lake City metropolitan area beginning in first quarter 2014. The agreement accompanies Togo’s commitment to grow from 250 to 400 restaurants.

Togo’s average unit sales exceed $633,000 with more than half of the restaurants averaging over $799,000.

Bridgewater, N.J. -- Women’s apparel retailer, New York & Company, has taken 7,440 sq. ft. in the Somerset Shopping Center in Bridgewater, N.J., according to Levin Management, the property’s leasing and managing agent.

The lease brings the 214,202-sq.-ft. center to full occupancy.

Boston -- Bonefish Grill has signed up for 4,614 sq. ft. at the Wayside Shopping Center in Burlington, Mass., the retailer’s first Massachusetts location, according to The Wilder Cos., Wayside’s leasing, management and development firm.

Part of the multi-phase revitalization of the open-air center, Bonefish anticipates opening in late fall of this year.

National Retail Federation SVP for government relations David French spoke to Fox News' Stuart Varney about D.C.’s decision to pass a living wage bill requiring non-union, big box retailers to pay their employees $12.60 per hour. As a result of the bill's passing, Walmart has scrapped plans to open three stores in the District. While defenders of the bill point out that the living wage is a fair one given cost of living and the still challeneging economic climate, Varney says the District, via its council members, is turning down 2,000 jobs and French agrees.

New York -- The growing appeal of smaller format stores and the increasing number of international moves by emerging market retailers are two of the key trends revealed in the Accenture Globalization Index, Quarter One 2013.

San Diego -- Fixtures Living, which specializes in premium lifestyle products for the home, is changing its name to "PIRCH." The official switchover occurs on Aug. 29.