Real Estate

New York -- Ritz Camera & Image has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. As part of its restructuring, the company, which has 265 stores in 34 states, plans to close 128 locations and cut its staff of 2,000 in half.

This is the second time Ritz has sought protection under the bankruptcy laws, having emerged from Chapter 11 two years ago.

New York -- New York City-based RCS Real Estate Advisors said Tuesday it has been retained by bridal retailer David’s Bridal to facilitate lease renewals on behalf of the retailer.

RCS said it has expanded its previous engagement with David’s Bridal to provide lease renewal services for over one-third of the retailer’s more than 300 U.S. David’s Bridal store locations.
 

A trailblazing town center is getting more space and a cosmetic update.

Easton Town Center (Columbus, Ohio) co-developers Steiner + Associates and The Georgetown Co. have announced that they will be adding more than 50,000 sq. ft. of new tenants this year and renovating more than 150,000 sq. ft. of existing space.

“Great projects evolve on purpose,” said Yaromir Steiner, CEO, Steiner. “Our vision for Easton has been, and continues to be, to challenge ourselves to make it better every day.”

New Rochelle, N.Y. -- X Team partner Welco Realty said that Fairway Supermarket has opened a new store at Plaza 46 shopping center, in Woodland Park, N.J.

The 63,000-sq.-ft. store is the chain’s 10th store, all located in the northeastern United States.
 

SECAUCUS, N.J. — The Children's Place Retail Stores is expanding its presence in the Middle East with franchise agreements to open stores in the Arab Gulf States of United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman as well as Saudi Arabia. The first stores are scheduled to open in the UAE in September 2012 in Dubai and Sharjah. The first two stores in Saudi Arabia are scheduled to open during the second quarter of 2012.

Dallas -- 7-Eleven announced that it has completed a transaction to acquire 18 Open Pantry convenience store locations in Wisconsin, primarily in the greater Milwaukee and Madison markets. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

New York -- Microsoft Corp. will open its first retail location in Canada at the Yorkdale Mall, the Star reported.

Apple has 23 stores across Canada, including a location at Yorkdale.

The report cited building permit notices which revealed Microsoft has been approved to build a store in Yorkdale center.
 

Jacksonville, Fla. -- Regency Centers announced it will construction of Grand Ridge Plaza, a 280,113-sq.-ft. shopping center, anchored by market-dominant grocer Safeway, on 24.58 acres.

Located in the heart of Issaquah Highlands, a master-planned community east of downtown Seattle, Grand Ridge Plaza will be the only major retail center to serve the community and is projected to draw shoppers from around the region.