Real Estate

New York -- Uniqlo is taking a breather … but only a short one. The Japanese fashion retailer opened its seventh U.S. store — and its first in an outdoor lifestyle center location — on April 19, at Westchester’s Ridge Hill in Yonkers, N.Y. The two-level, 24,000-sq-ft. store comes on the heels of Uniqlo opening at Palisades Center in West Nyack, N.Y., in March. What’s next for the powerhouse brand that has made no secret of its intention to expand across the nation, with 200 stores by 2020?

Minneapolis -- Consumer electronics retailer Best Buy is leaving the European market. The company is selling its stake in a joint European venture with U.K.-based consumer electronics retailer Carphone Warehouse Group PLC for cash and stock worth about $775 million USD.

Best Buy Co. will also pay Carphone 29 million pounds (about $45 million) related to existing agreements that will be terminated when the deal closes. The U.S. retailer also said that it will incur an approximately $200 million asset impairment charge related to the stake sale.

MELVILLE, N.Y. — Retail real estate industry executive Jonathon Graub has joined A&G Realty Partners, a leading commercial real estate, advisory and investment group, as principal. Graub will advise A&G Realty’s retail clients on strategic growth opportunities and assist with their real estate operations.

Mansfield, Texas -- Irving, Texas-based WindStar Properties said that Jersey Mike’s Subs will open a new restaurant at Mansfield Crossing Shopping Center, located in Mansfield, Texas.

The 1,575-sq.-ft. unit is part of an aggressive expansion push for the Jersey Shore-based sandwich chain, which opened 92 restaurants in 2012.

Fort Worth, Texas -- Trademark Property announced that Tony Chron has rejoined the company as chief development officer, effective April 15.

“Bringing Tony back is an important investment in our development capacity,” said Trademark chairman-CEO Terry Montesi. Chron will oversee Trademark’s power and community center development program as well as the company’s redevelopment efforts.
 

Chicago -- Jones Lang LaSalle announced the addition of Larry Kilduff, Claire Bitautas and Anne Imming to its retail team.

Kilduff will serve as a VP and the retail management lead in the Midwest. Bitautas and Imming will serve as VPs on the brokerage team focusing on the downtown and suburban Chicago market. In their new roles they will partner with Midwest retail market lead Mark Hunter.

Phoenix -- Leslie’s Poolmart, parent to Leslie’s Swimming Pool Supplies, said Monday that it will grand-open two stores on May 3, putting the retailer on track toward opening its previously announced 48 new stores between March and May 2013.

The May 3 grand openings are in Springfield, Pa., and in Oceanside, Calif.

When describing Destiny USA – the 2.4 million-sq.-ft. dining, entertainment, shopping and outlet megaplex in Syracuse, N.Y. – it’s a toss-up whether to emphasize the offerings and amenities, or highlight the project’s own brand of environmental consciousness.