Tenant Update

Los Angeles – American Apparel has opened a newly remodeled and expanded store in Berlin, Germany. Located in Mitte, the central borough of Berlin, the store was originally opened in February 2007 as American Apparel's third location in the city.

Dallas -- J. C. Penney Company announced that as part of its turnaround efforts it will close 33 underperforming stores across the country. The shutterings, which will result in the elimination of about 2,000 positions, are expected to result in an annual cost savings of approximately $65 million, beginning in 2014.

Purchase, N.Y. — Visionworks has taken 3,100 sq. ft. at Northampton Crossings in Easton, Pa., bringing the property up to 100% leased, according to National Realty & Development Corp., the center’s owner.

NRDC also noted that existing tenants Regis Hair Salon and Chrin’s Cleaners have extended their Northampton Crossings leases.

A Wal-Mart Supercenter, Regal Cinemas, Sam’s Club and Hobby Lobby anchor the 622,000-sq.-ft. power-center.

New York — RKF has helped arrange the sale of a 12,250-sq.-ft. property on Manhattan’s Upper East Side at 1151 Third Avenue for $18 million.

RKF Investment Sales & Advisory Services represented the buyer, 1151 Third Avenue LLC, in the transaction. HelmleySpear represented the seller, 201 East 67th Street. The transaction closed in late October.

San Antonio, Texas — The Retail Connection has brought retail development veteran David Berndt on board to extend the company’s tenant driven retail development capacity. Berndt will join as Development Partner of The Retail Connection | Connected Development Services. In that role, he will lead the company’s development platform in Central and South Texas.

The Retail Connection is expanding its capabilities across the board in Central and South Texas, adding senior brokerage leaders too.

Snellville, Ga. — Sprouts Farmers Market has signed a lease to occupy 26,000 sq. ft. in The Shoppes at Webb Gin in Snellville, Ga., an affluent suburb of Atlanta. This will be among the first Sprouts locations east of the Mississippi. Construction has begun on the store, which is slated to open this summer.

North Plainfield, N.J. — Choice Pet Supply and H&R Block have signed long-term leases at the Mayfair Shopping Center in Commack, N.Y., according to Levin Management, Mayfair Shopping Center’s leasing representative.

Julius M. Feinblum Real Estate Inc. represented Choice Pet Supply, and Reinhardt, Becker, ford & Associates LLC represented H&R Block.

New York -- MPI — Mall Properties, Inc., a private owner, developer and operator of commercial real estate — has changed its name to Olshan Properties.

Tampa, Fla. — RMC Property Group has announced plans to redevelop the Publix-anchored Indian Rocks Shopping Center in Largo, Fla. Bealls Outlet and Dollar Tree also serve as co-anchors at the center.

Publix recently signed a new lease and plans to completely redevelop a 45,000-sq.-ft. store. The existing Publix closed in December 2013. Plans call for the redeveloped store to open this fall.

New York — Faith Hope Consolo, chairman, and Joseph A. Aquino, executive VP of Douglas Elliman’s Retail Group, have arranged a third Manhattan location for Roundabout, a luxury consignment and resale retailer.

The new location between 82nd and 83rd Streets is also the brand’s second Madison Avenue store.