Real Estate

Grand Rapids, Mich. -- Regional grocer Meijer said Tuesday it will hire 12,000 new employees in preparation for the 2012 holiday shopping season. Most positions will be part-time.

According to Janet Emerson, executive VP of operations for Meijer, “Our goal is to deliver the best customer experience and the lowest prices, and as we continue to grow it's so important that we have the right levels of staff and the right people in those roles."

Monroeville, Pa. -- Chattanooga, Tenn.-based CBL & Associates Properties announced that, on the heels of the grand opening of a 110,000-sq.-ft. J.C. Penney store, construction has commenced on a state-of-the-art 12-screen Cinemark Theatre.  Both are part of CBL’s redevelopment of Monroeville Mall, located near Pittsburgh in Monroeville, Pa.

The grand opening for Cinemark Theatre is anticipated for late 2013.

Washington, D.C. -- Douglas Development announced that Lime Fresh Mexican Grill will open a 2,000-sq.-ft. restaurant in the Douglas Development-owned property at 726 7th Street in Penn Quarter.

The space is currently occupied by Potbelly Sandwich Works and is scheduled to open as Lime Fresh Mexican Grill in mid-2013.
 

Cherry Hill, N.J. -- Philadelphia-based Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust said that upscale salon Essensuals London has officially opened at its Cherry Hill Mall property in Cherry Hill, N.J.

The 1,530-sq.-ft. salon – the company’s first on the East Coast – joins the recently opened North Face and Henri Bendel. Pottery Barn is set to open this fall.

Lake Ronkonkoma, N.Y. -- Charter Realty & Development Corp. said that it has added three new tenants, totaling 11, 501 sq. ft., to the Lake Shore Plaza II Shopping Center, located in Lake Ronkonkoma, N.Y.

AutoZone has leased 7,184 sq. ft., Verizon leased 1,817 sq. ft., and Century 21 leased 2,500 sq. ft.

NEW YORK — Saks Inc. has opened its first Saks Fifth Avenue store in Kazakhstan, in the city of Almaty.

Springfield, Mass. -- Charter Realty & Development Corp. said that it has arranged for a 2,500-sq.-ft. lease for McDonald’s located in the Springfield Plaza in Springfield, Mass.

Springfield Plaza is a 550,000-sq.-ft. center anchored by Kmart, Rocky's, TJ Maxx, Ocean State Job Lot, Savers, Stop & Shop and Entertainment Cinema. McDonald’s will be locating on a site formerly occupied by KFC. Construction is expected to start shortly, said Charter.

Rome, Ga. -- Augusta, Ga.-based Hull Storey Gibson Companies announced its acquisition of Mount Berry Square Mall in Rome, Ga.

The 476,778-sq.-ft. mall is anchored by Belk, J.C. Penney and Sears.