Development/Redevelopment

New York -- Wal-Mart de Mexico expects to spend up to $1.4 billion on investments in 2013. But the chain declined to discuss how many stores it will open.

The chain did say that it expects to increase total store space by 8% to 9% in Mexico and 6% in Central America this year.

"We think that the number of stores does not communicate much," said CEO Scot Rank in response to a question by an analyst, Reuters reported.

New York -- The SPECS conference, presented each year by Chain Store Age, will debut a real estate track as part of the 49th annual event. Held in Dallas from March 17 to March 20 at the Hilton Anatole, SPECS will feature real estate workshops designed toward educating and informing the retail development executives who attend the SPECS conference.

Cherry Hill, N.J. -- Conshohocken, Pa.-based Fameco Real Estate announced that Red Robin has signed a lease at the Plaza at Cherry Hill, Cherry Hill, N.J.

The 6,000-sq.-ft. restaurant will join anchors LA Fitness, Raymour & Flanigan, Guitar Center, Sam Ash and Bottom Dollar at the 450,000-sq.-ft. power center.

Fort Worth, Texas -- Cypress Equities announced that sandwich chain Which Wich will open at its West 7th mixed-use development in Fort Worth, Texas.

The 1,394-sq.-ft. shop will be located between existing West 7th merchants, Sweet Tomatoes and Wink Threading Salon.

Tucson, Ariz. -- Presidential Pools and Spas said it is planning to relocate its Northwest Tucson store to the Shops at Costco Plaza.

The 3,369-sq.-ft. store to slated to open on March 1.

Atlanta -- Cincinnati-based Phillips Edison–ARC Shopping Center REIT has announced the acquisition of Macland Pointe, a 79,699-sq.-ft. shopping center anchored by a Publix grocery store and located in the Greater Atlanta, Georgia Metro Area.  

The acquisition of Macland Pointe brings the company's total portfolio to 34 properties anchored by 13 grocers in 15 states.

Macland Pointe is 92.8% occupied and anchored by a 55,999-sq.-ft. Publix.

Watchung, N.J. -- North Plainfield, N.J.-based Levin Management Corp. said that The Children’s Place will join the tenant roster at Blue Star Shopping Center in Watchung, N.J., this spring.

Levin is the property’s managing and leasing agent.

Children’s Place leased 4,307 sq. ft. at the 419,000-sq.-ft. property, and will join other children’s retailers Toys “R” Us, Becker’s School Supplies and GameStop at the center, as well as Kohl's, ShopRite, Michaels and Marshalls, among others.

Check out the video of the latest jewel in  Simons' department store portfolio. The 118,00-sq.-ft. store, in West Edmonton Mall,  Edmonton, Alberta (Canada) took top honors in Chain's Store Age's Retail Store of the Year Design competition.

Click here

Dallas -- Corner Bakery Café said Wednesday it plans to open 18 restaurants in the Boston area, joining under-development markets in neighboring Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

The bakery-café concept is targeting its growth through franchising deals with restaurant pros capable of opening multiple units. Corner Bakery has set a goal of doubling its current U.S. footprint of 147 locations by the end of 2015.

Conshohocken, Pa. -- Ikea said Wednesday that contractors have been hired and a building permit is pending for its future Miami-Dade store in Sweetwater, Fla., putting the home furnishings retailer on track for a groundbreaking in 60 days and a summer 2014 opening date.