Tenant Update

New York -- Winick Realty Group announced that its New Jersey office has expanded, leasing a new location at 4 Commerce Drive in Cranford, which doubles the size of the company’s existing office.

The new 2,500-sq.-ft. office, which is set to open on Oct. 1, will allow the New Jersey branch to eventually accommodate up to 20 brokers and support staff.

Winick Realty Group said it plans to announce several new hires in its New Jersey office shortly after the completion of the move.

Sunrise, Fla. - Pet Supermarket has recently opened its 150th store in Bartow, Florida. The per supply retailer now has more than 100 in Florida, as well as stores in Georgia, Alabama, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Kentucky, California and Nevada, and is continuing to consider real estate opportunities in the states and markets it serves, as well as others.

Woodbridge, Va. - Potomac Mills, an outlet and value retail shopping center in the Washington, D.C., area with more than 220 stores, is adding A|X Armani Exchange, Steve Madden, an outlet concept for Swarovski and a first-in-market location for Great American Cookies. Potomac Mills also recently added Factory Outlet, Kate Spade New York Outlet, Charlotte Russe and a first-in-state location for The Limited Outlet.

Houston -- JLL announced it has expanded its retail tenant representation capabilities in Houston with the addition of Matt Parsons. In his new role, Parsons will be responsible for identifying and securing new space for expanding retailers in the market, and will partner with Mark Raines, who joined JLL in July to lead the firm’s Houston retail brokerage practice.



Virginia Beach, Va. -- Divaris Real Estate, Inc. announced the completion of four retail transactions, totaling 21,688 sq. ft.

Dollar Tree renewed its lease for 9,663 sq. ft. at Williamsburg Marketcenter, located at 6610 Mooretown Road, in Williamsburg.

Castaways Inc. leased 5,025 sq. ft. of retail space at the Divaris-leased and -managed Lynnhaven Green Shopping Center, located at 1505 Lynnhaven Parkway, in Virginia Beach.

Flushing, Queens -- Onex Real Estate Partners announced The Shops at SkyView Center has welcomed five new tenants to the growing roster of retailers during the third quarter.
 
The newest addition to Flushing’s mixed-use, multi-level shopping center includes Nordstrom Rack, the off-price retail division of Nordstrom, which officially opened on Sept. 10. Additionally, Justice & Brothers, a national retailer known for the best in tween fashion and accessories, catering to both boys and girls, has opened on Level D.
 

In a time of evolution and change, when buzz terms like right-sizing and asset management dominate retail real estate conversations, an unwavering focus on the tenant is more important than ever before. Chain Store Age talked with Jeff Kuchman, Principal/Director Tenant Brokerage, Mid-America Real Estate Corp., based in Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois, about the company’s tenant representation business and how it has continued to take center stage.

Columbus, Ohio -- Washington Prime Group announced Tuesday it will acquire shopping center REIT Glimcher Realty Trust in a deal worth $4.3 billion.

Washington Prime Group, a Bethesda, Maryland-based REIT, and Glimcher will combine under a new name WP Glimcher, with headquarters remaining in the current Glimcher offices in Columbus, Ohio.

The newly combined company will remain publicly traded.

Philadelphia -- The Mills announced plans for a multimillion dollar renovation of Franklin Mills, the largest outlet and value retail shopping destination in the Philadelphia region. The redevelopment will transform the center into a completely new shopping experience, and the name of the property has been changed to Philadelphia Mills to herald the transformation.

York, Pa. - The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. will close its Carson’s Fox Valley Furniture Gallery in the Heritage Square Shopping Center in Naperville, Illinois. The company will not renew its lease, which terminates Jan. 31, 2015.