Real Estate

MONTVALE, N.J. — Grocer A&P has announced plans to shutter 14 stores in four states as it prepares to emerge from bankruptcy.

The company has filed a motion with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York seeking approval to close the stores. The store closures are expected to be completed in the company's fiscal first quarter, subject to court approval.

Well, the holidays are finally over and the verdict is in: Retailers reported a 3.5% year-over-year sales increase in December — that’s better than I thought we would see — and a 3.3% increase overall for the season. While slightly more than some analysts anticipated (myself included!), it wasn’t the happiest holiday for everyone. Certain sectors (electronics) and brands (Macy’s, Nordstrom) did better than expected, while others (Target and J.C. Penney) did worse.

New York City -- Shopping centers in the United States had their first net gain in occupied space in four years amid a rise in consumer confidence and job growth, according real estate research firm Reis Inc., Bloomberg reported.

Neighborhood and community shopping shoppers saw a net increase of 3.18 million sq. ft. in the fourth quarter, the most since 10.1 million sq. ft. in the last three months of 2007.

Atlanta -- Jones Lang LaSalle said Tuesday it has been selected by Boscov’s as the leasing agent for two retail centers in Pennsylvania – Lebanon Valley Mall (Lebanon) and The Mall Steamtown (Scranton).

Lebanon Valley Mall is a 402,400-sq.-ft. regional shopping center anchored by Boscov’s, Hobby Lobby and The Great Escape Theatres. The Mall at Steamtown is a 563,800-sq.-ft. mall anchored by Boscov’s, Boscov’s Furniture Outlet, and Bon Ton.

North Plainfield, N.J. -- Levin Management Corp. said Tuesday that Michael Cohen has joined the company as VP leasing.

Cohen was previously executive VP and director of leasing for DLC Management Corp.

New York City -- Marcus & Millichap Real Estate Investment Services said Monday it has hired Joseph C. French Jr. to serve as a senior director of its National Retail Group. French was previously with Sperry Van Ness, where he specialized in retail property sales.

Marcus & Millichap also hired French’s team of investment specialists Thomas C. Dalzell, Schuyler Boylan and Amie Segel.
 

Toms River, N.J. -- Fameco Real Estate said it has signed a lease with Tardi’s Ristorante at Bellcrest Plaza, located in Toms River, N.J.

Owned by H. Hovnanian Industries, Bellcrest Shopping Plaza is a 106,000-sq.-ft. neighborhood shopping center formerly anchored by Foodtown but still home to Planet Fitness, Burger King and Provident Bank.
 

Dallas -- SRS Real Estate Partners said it has hired Stephanie Estabrook as a research consultant in the Denver office.

Previous to SRS, Estabrook worked for Edgemark Development where she was responsible for research and acquisitions.

Atlanta -- Jones Lang LaSalle said it has been named as the exclusive management and leasing provider for Townline Square, a 216,000-sq.-ft. community center located in Mundelein, Ill., and anchored by Jewel-Osco.

JLL’s retail portfolio in Chicagoland has grown to more than six million sq. ft. At Townline Square, Jones Lang LaSalle will manage a redevelopment of the property, which includes façade renovations, new landscaping and signage upgrades all of which are designed to increase tenant occupancy and drive sales.

Cincinnati -- Brixmor Property Group said Monday that a 4,267-sq.-ft. Carter's recently opened at Western Hills Plaza, located in Cincinnati.

Brixmor, headquartered in New York City, is the owner of Western Hills Plaza.