Tenant Update

Wilmington, N.C. -- Madison Marquette Retail Services, which leases and manages Independence Mall – in Wilmington, N.C. – on behalf of owner Centro Properties Group, said that Gymboree Corp.’s Crazy 8 brand will open a new store at the mall this fall.

The 2,465-sq.-ft. store will join Aeropostale, The Children’s Place, Gymboree and Justice in catering to Independence Mall’s teen, tween and children’s clothing shoppers.
 

Moorestown, N.J. -- Philadelphia-based Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust said that Kids Foot Locker has opened at Moorestown Mall, located in Moorestown, N.J.

The 2,800-sq.-ft. store is joined by such tenants as anchors Macy’s, Lord & Taylor, Sears and Boscov’s as well as specialty retailers Zumiez, Victoria’s Secret and American Eagle Outfitters and restaurants such as Pei Wei Asian Diner and Elevation Burger. The Regal Moorestown Mall Stadium 12 & Regal Premium Experience is opening in spring 2013.
 

Plymouth Meeting, Pa. -- Philadelphia-based Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust said that Charming Charlie has opened a 12,000-sq.-ft. store at Plymouth Meeting Mall, in Plymouth Meeting, Pa.

The mall is anchored by Macy’s, Boscov’s, and Whole Foods Market and Café, and features more than 100 specialty retailers.
 

Springfield, Pa. -- Ulta Beauty said it will open at Springfield (Pa.) Mall in fall 2012.

The 10,328-sq.-ft. store will feature a full-service salon in addition to its customary offerings, and will join anchors Macy’s and Target along with more than 70 specialty retailers at the center.

Springfield Mall is owned by Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust (PREIT) and Simon Property Group.
 

Chicago -- Oakbrook Terrace, Ill.-based Mid-America Asset Management said that Bedding Experts has opened a 4,019-sq.-ft. store at Deerfield Village Centre on Chicago’s North Shore.

The privately held mattress retailer took space vacated by Blockbuster Video, and opened on June 30.

Deerfield Village Centre features 44,083 sq. ft. of retail space that includes Chipotle, Leather Creations, Sprint, and Starbucks among others.
 

Niles, Ohio -- Youngstown, Ohio-based Cafaro Co. said that The Children’s Place will open a new store in the Dillard’s Concourse of Eastwood Mall, in Niles, Ohio.

The new store is slated to open November 2012 in more than 3,500 sq. ft. of space.  

New York -- RCS Real Estate Advisors said Tuesday it has been retained by Diamond Wireless, a mall-based retailer and one of six National Premium retailers for Verizon Wireless, to provide advice and performance analysis to the retailer in the management of its real estate portfolio.

As Diamond Wireless continues to expand nationally, RCS said it is charged with ensuring that Diamond’s current and future site selections, which include both inline stores and kiosks, deliver the highest and best value and efficiencies available in the mall marketplace today.

New York -- New York City metro area retailer Daffy’s is going out of business. The discount apparel chain will close all of its 19 stores (eight of which are in Manhattan) this fall, according to various reports.

The closings are not totally unexpected. In June, Crain’s New York Business reported that Daffy’s was having trouble paying its vendors.