Development/Redevelopment

River Forest, Ill. -- Oakbrook Terrace, Ill.-based Mid-America Asset Management said that DSW has signed a lease for 28,000 sq. ft. at River Forest Town Center in Chicago’s west suburbs.

The shoe retailer is taking space vacated by Linens ‘n Things and plans to open in fall 2012 as a new anchor joining The Children’s Place, The Loft, Chico’s, Whole Foods, Panera Bread, Petco and Walgreens.   
 

Los Angeles -- CBRE Group said it has named Cal Frese as CEO of the company’s Americas business. In this role, Frese has responsibility for leading CBRE’s largest business segment, with more than $3 billion of annual revenue and more than 20,000 employees.

Ewing, N.J. -- North Plainfield, N.J.-based Levin Management Corp. said that Planet Fitness has opened a 17,380-sq.-ft. facility at Capitol Plaza, located in Ewing, N.J.

The 357,000-sq. ft. center is leased and managed by Levin Management.
 

St. Louis -- Build-A-Bear Workshop reported Thursday a loss of $8.3 million for the quarter ended June 30, compared with a $10.7 million loss in the year-ago period.

Retail sales dipped 1.8% and same-store sales declined 1.7%.

Chief executive bear Maxine Clark said she is focused on the future. “In just over a month, we will open our first newly imagined store design in St. Louis with five additional stores opening in major U.S. markets in the following weeks.” 

New York -- Prudential Douglas Elliman's Retail Group said it has arranged the American debut of Caramel Baby & Child at 1244 Madison Avenue, between 89th and 90th Streets. 

The luxury label, which currently has stores in London and Tokyo, specializes in clothing for babies through toddlers. The newest location is on a corridor that is regarded as a center for luxury children's clothing, and home to such neighbors as Armani Jr., Jacadi, Baby Cottons, J. Crew Cuts, Pink Chicken, Brooks Brothers Children and Rachel Riley.
 

Sidney, Neb. -- Outdoor-gear retailer Cabela's Inc. reported Thursday that net income for the second quarter increased to $33.9 million, from $21.7 million in the year-ago period.

Total revenue rose 11.6% to $627.3 million, boosted by a 17% rise in retail store revenue – to $384.7 million. Analysts forecasted total revenue of $606.3 million.

Same-store sales increased 4.7%.

Chestnut Hill, Mass. -- WS Development announced that Lululemon Athletica has signed a lease to join the Chestnut Hill Shopping Center, in Chestnut Hill, Mass.

The 3,100-sq.-ft. lululemon joins other new signings at the 406,000-sq.-ft. center, including Pottery Barn, The Sports Club/LA, Cinema de Lux, Polarn O. Pyret, Shake Shack, Pinkberry, Treat Cupcake Bar, and gourmet Asian restaurant Bernard’s.
 

Weak housing data notwithstanding, plenty of people spent money fixing up their homes this spring judging by the results of select retailers with exposure to the home improvement market.