Development/Redevelopment

Sparks, Md. -- Spice and flavoring company McCormick and Co. will open its first-ever retail location, McCormick World of Flavors, at Harborplace in Baltimore.

The 3,800-plus-sq.-ft. store will display McCormick’s full line-up of products along with interactive and educational displays. Visitors will be invited to chart their personal flavor profile and explore the origins of spices, among other activities. The space will also include a demonstration area where McCormick's own chefs and celebrity chefs will cook using McCormick flavors.

New York City -- Glimcher Realty Trust announced the completion of a 4.8-megawatt rooftop solar system at Jersey Gardens in Elizabeth, N.J. The project, which ranks among the largest rooftop systems in North America, broke ground in June 2011 and began producing power this week.

Canton, Mass. -- Dunkin' Donuts announced the signing of a multi-unit store development agreement with a newly formed subsidiary of Sizzling Platter, LLC (Sizzling Donuts, LLC) for 11 new restaurants in Denver, and eight in El Paso, Texas.

The company also acquired two additional existing restaurants in El Paso.
 

Salt Lake City -- Bloomfield Hills, Mich.-based Taubman Co. said Tuesday that City Creek Center, a major shopping and dining destination, will open March 22 in Salt Lake City.

The 700,000-sq.-ft. regional attraction will feature Nordstrom, Macy’s and up to 80 stores and restaurants — one third that are new to the market. The center features a fully retractable skylight roof, a skybridge over Main Street and a host of water features.

Dallas -- 7-Eleven said Tuesday it has completed its acquisition of 55 Sam’s Mart stores in the greater Charlotte, N.C., area, part of the c-store operator’s plan to accelerate its growth in the region.

Terms of the deal have not been disclosed.

Mississauga, Ontario -- Wal-Mart Stores isn’t about to let the grass grow under its feet in Canada. The discounter plans to spend about $753 million this fiscal year to expand its store presence in Canada, before rival Target Corp. begins its push in the country.

Dallas  -- The Container Store announced it will open six locations in 2012, making this the largest real estate growth year in the company's history and bringing the company's store count to 59 by year's end. 

The new stores will be located in Arlington, Texas;  Las Vegas; El Segundo, Calif., Peabody, Mass., and Westbury, N.Y., with a sixth location still being finalized.

New York -- H. E. Butt Grocery Co. plans to spend about $100 million to expand, remodel and relocate several of its stores in Austin, Texas, during 2012, the  Austin American-Statesman reported. The move is part of a larger, statewide expansion and price-cutting campaign. 

Beachwood, Ohio -- Shopping center owner and manager DDR Corp. announced Monday the launch of FranchiseConnect, a new online platform connecting shopping centers, franchise opportunities and entrepreneurs.

FranchiseConnect is DDR's latest program designed to provide business opportunities to aspirational entrepreneurs. DDR recently launched Set Up Shop, a program offering flexible terms at specific locations for entrepreneurs and expanding small businesses.

Chain Store Age’s 48th annual SPECS Conference will be held March 4-7, at the Gaylord Palms Resort in Kissimmee, Fla. The industry’s premier retail store development and facilities event, SPECS combines a targeted and comprehensive educational program with a dynamic exhibit floor.

For more information and to register for the event, click here.

Join the SPECS group on Linkedin.