Real Estate

Philadelphia -- Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust announced that almost half-a-million sq. ft. of leasable space was signed or opened across its mall portfolio since the end of April.

According to PREIT, leases have been executed with J.C. Penney, Nordstrom Rack, Bravo Cucina Italiana and Forever 21 at Willow Grove (Pa.) Park, in the reconfigured space formerly occupied by Strawbridge’s.

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Children will be returning to school in a matter of weeks, and many of them will be joining or returning to some sort of sporting activity. Enter Sports Authority, which is answering the need for sporting goods by opening six news stores on Aug. 13. The six new stores will open in five states nationwide, in the major markets of Miami, Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, Chicago and Milwaukee, the company reported.

The store locations will be as follows:

• Miami Beach, Fla. at 3401 N. Miami Ave.

Bloomfield Hills, Mich. -- Shopping center owner Taubman Centers reported Monday that its Taubman Asia division will acquire 90% controlling interest in TCBL Consulting Limited, a Beijing-based retail real estate consultancy with seven offices in mainland China.

New York City -- In his most recent column “Retail Rap with Jeff Green,” Chain Store Age columnist Green challenges the advent of outlet centers, questioning whether there are enough viable outlet center markets to support the growing number of developers who are plugging into the shopping center format.

Click here to read Green’s column.

It seems like everybody wants to get in the outlet business these days. In particular, there are a growing number of “traditional mall” developers that seem to be seriously considering -- or in some cases, actively pursuing -- the development of outlet centers or the conversion of existing traditional mall assets into outlets. On the heels of Gap’s announcement to close 200 of their full-price stores by 2013 and concentrate on expanding their Gap outlets and Banana Republic Factory Stores, I understand why developers are seriously thinking about outlet centers.

Sydney, Neb. -- Cabela’s announced plans to build a store in Rogers, Ark. The 100,000-sq.-ft. store, Cabela’s first in Arkansas, is scheduled to open in the summer of 2012. The retailer also has also announced plans to build stores in Wichita, Kan., and Tulalip, Wash., as well as Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, all expected to open in 2012.

SYDNEY, Neb.  — Cabela's is marking its entry in Arkansas with plans for a 100,000-sq.-ft. store in Rogers. The store is scheduled to open in the summer of 2012. The retailer also has also announced plans to build stores in Wichita, Kan., and Tulalip, Wash., as well as Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, all expected to open in 2012.

Brentwood, Tenn. -- Jacksonville, Fla.-based Regency Centers said it has leased retail space to four new tenants at Peartree Village, located in in Brentwood, Tenn.

Petco opened an 11,120-sq.-ft. store, NeighborMD Urgent Care has leased 3,736 sq. ft. of medical office space, and Serenity Nail Spa has leased 2,339 sq. ft. First Watch, a breakfast, brunch and lunch restaurant, has opened its first Tennessee location in 3,586 sq. ft., occupying a former Hollywood Video space. All stores are now open, and the center is 100% leased.