Tenant Update

Chicago -- Englewood Construction has announced that its Retail Group has began an extensive, 31,621-sq.-ft. interior build out for Ross Dress for Less at the Ford City Mall, a 47-year-old mall in Chicago’s West Lawn neighborhood.

The work will consist of a reconfiguration of the mall’s floor plans, structure and roof. Englewood will be combining three current spaces into one large floor plate for Ross Dress for Less. Chicago-based Chadha & Associates will serve as the architect on the project.
 

In its eighth year, the annual Top Redevelopers survey continues to underscore the country’s emphasis on refurbishing and repositioning over building anew. Just as in the prior seven years, shopping center owners are concentrating on existing assets — sometimes tweaking, sometimes refreshing, sometimes razing sections and rebuilding. For all, however, the goal is to maximize exposure and returns for all the tenants involved.

Plymouth Meeting, Pa. -- Philadelphia-based Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust said that American Eagle Outfitters plans to open a 5,732-sq.-ft. store at its Plymouth Meeting Mall property in spring 2013.

In addition, Mercy Health System, a consumer health and wellness satellite aligned with Mercy Suburban Hospital, recently opened, expanding the mall’s variety of services into the health sector.

Plymouth Meeting Mall is anchored by Macy’s, Boscov’s and Whole Foods Market and Café.

New York -- Prudential Douglas Elliman’s Retail Group said that jewelry designer Alexis Bittar will open a new store at 410 Columbus Avenue, between 79th and 80th Streets, in New York City. It is the designer’s fourth Manhattan store; the other three are on Madison Avenue, in Soho and in the West Village.

With nine stores nationwide, including Los Angeles, San Francisco and Venice in California, Chicago, Manhattan and a brand new one in Greenwich, Conn., the brand is in expansion mode and currently planning possible Florida locations.

Kokomo, Ind. -- Indianapolis-based Kite Realty Group said that Kirkland’s will open a 6,400-sq.-ft. store at Boulevard Crossing, located in Kokomo, Ind.

The 213,663-sq.-ft. shopping center is owned by Kite Kokomo Project Co. and is anchored by Kohl’s, Party City, Ulta, TJ Maxx, Petco, Shoe Carnival and Dress Barn.

Chattanooga, Tenn. -- CBL & Associates Properties announced that Sally Cooney has joined the company as regional director of leasing, charged with overseeing the Cincinnati regional leasing team’s efforts and merchandising strategy.   

Cooney most recently served as regional VP for General Growth Properties in its Atlanta regional office.

Bossier City, La. -- Covington, La.-based Stirling Properties announced the opening of a new 7,918-sq.-ft. Santa Fe Cattle Co. restaurant at its Stirling Bossier Shopping Center property, located on Airline Drive in Bossier City.

Headquartered in Baton Rouge, La., Santa Fe Cattle Co. operates 19 locations in six states, including four in Louisiana.

Hollywood, Calif. – Four new tenants have opened at Hollywood & Highland Center – the retail, dining and entertainment venue located on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame. Mr. Koji’s, GNC, Sweet! Hollywood candy store and Kitson fashion boutique have all recently opened and will be joined by another group of impending openings.

Chilli Beans, a Brazilian sunglasses retailer, is slated to open on Oct. 31; L'Occitane will open on Nov. 1; Zinzi jewelry will open Dec. 1; and Cho Oishi will open its Japanese restaurant in Feb. 2013.