Tenant Update

Bedminster, N.J. -- North Plainfield, N.J.-based Levin Management Corp. said that Great Clips has opened a 960-sq.-ft. salon, and Hand and Stone Massage and Facial Spa (2,317 sq. ft.) along with eateries Panchero's (2,500 sq. ft.) and Subway (1,240 sq. ft.) will all open shortly at The Hills Village Center, in Bedminster, N.J.

Union, N.J. -- A Seabra Foods and Koki Japanese Buffet opened at Galloping Hill Center in Union, N.J., according to Plainfield, N.J.-based Levin Management Corp., the property’s exclusive leasing and managing agent.

A Seabra Foods is a full-service grocer and will open a 30,861-sq. ft. space formerly housed by another supermarket tenant.

Koki Japanese Buffet leased 5,500 sq. ft., joining other retailers and services including Mandee, Memory Lane Hallmark, Citibank, Weight Watchers, Radio Shack and Manhattan Bagel.

Flushing, N.Y. -- Onex Real Estate Partners said that Payless ShoeSource has opened a new store at Sky View Center, the 800,000-sq.-ft shopping center located below Sky View Parc, Queens’ new mixed-used residential development.

The new 4,200-sq.-ft. Payless location, on level D of the Center, officially opens on April 9.

Wheaton, Ill. -- Oakbrook Terrace, Ill.-based Mid-America Asset Management said that Yoga By Degrees and Smashburger recently signed leases at Rice Lake Square in Wheaton, Ill., a western suburb of Chicago.

The independently owned yoga studio is slated to open this spring in 4,598 sq. ft. of space. Denver-based Smashburger, a privately held gourmet burger chain, leased 2,200 sq. ft. of space, with plans to open this summer.

Rice Lake Square is a 251,313-sq.-ft. shopping center anchored by Whole Foods, Stein Mart, Borders and PetSmart.

Silver Spring, Md. -- Jacksonville, Fla.-based Regency Centers said it has leased 1,990 sq. ft. of restaurant space in Silver Spring, Md., at Woodmoor Shopping Center to Chipotle Mexican Grill.

The restaurant is slated to open this summer.

The 67,403-sq.-ft. shopping center includes national retailers such as CVS/pharmacy, Starbucks, The UPS Store and Tuesday Morning.

Charlotte, N.C. -- Lincoln Harris, which handles the leasing and management for luxury retail center Phillips Place, said that Brooks Bros. has moved from its current location in SouthPark Mall, in Charlotte, N.C., and opened a new store in Phillips Place.

The new 8,800-sq.-ft. store is located in the courtyard area of Phillips Place in space previously occupied by Modern Salon.

By Sandra Gold Slon

Who needs an exit strategy? In this economy, most of us are aware of tenants facing difficulties in meeting their lease obligations. If we weren’t thinking about it front and center, it was brought front and center when Borders declared bankruptcy, closing hundreds of stores.

Washington, D.C. -- Combined Properties announced that Jessica Berets has joined the company as Assistant General Counsel. 

Berets will be responsible for drafting, negotiating and consummating a variety of legal documents, including lease agreements with tenants in the commercial retail real estate portfolio managed by Combined Properties, and providing advice and counsel to the company's leasing, construction and property management departments.