Real Estate

SUNBURY, Pa. — Northeast food retailer Weis Markets reported second-quarter sales of $676.7 million, an increase of 3.5% from sales of $653.7 million for the same period last year. Comparable-store sales were up 5.1% for the quarter. 

According to the company, the sales growth was due to openings in three key markets, successful sales building programs, operational improvements at store level and improved administrative expense management.

Monroeville, Pa. — Chattanooga, Tenn.-based CBL & Associates Properties Inc. has announced a series of anchor redevelopments at Monroeville Mall in Monroeville, Pa., including the relocation of J.C. Penney to a new 110,000-sq.-ft. store on the upper level of the former Boscov’s location.     

Additionally, the current J.C. Penney location will be redeveloped into a new state-of-the-art 12-screen Cinemark Theatre. 

Washington, D.C. — Grosenor Americas announced that tapas restaurant Boqueria will open a 5,331-sq.-ft. restaurant in a former Penang Malaysian Cuisine space in Washington, D.C.

Boqueria, which operates two New York City locations, is slated to open fourth quarter 2011.

Grosvenor Americas also announced that Irish Whiskey will open a 3,815-sq.-ft. bar in the adjacent former Porters Dining Saloon space.

New York — Francesca's Holdings Corp. will price its initial public offering of 10 million shares between $14 and $16 a share, the Houston Business Journal reported. 

The women’s specialty apparel retailer will trade on the Nasdaq Stock Exchange, under the ticker symbol FRAN, the report said.

In March 2011, private equity firm CCMP Capital acquired a controlling interest in Francesca’s, which operates 160 stores. 

Marlton, N.J. — Centro Properties Group US announced that Payless ShoeSouce will open a 3,057-sq.-ft. store at Marlton Crossing, located in Marlton, N.J.    

Centro, based in New York City, owns the shopping center.

Newport Beach, Calif. — Lucescu Realty said it has opened a new regional office in Phoenix, its second office outside its California headquarters. The company recently opened a Las Vegas office and plans to open a San Francisco presence by year-end 2011.

In other company news, Lucescu Realty said it completed the sale of The Promenade in Scottsdale, for $110 million.  Lucescu Realty represented the seller, a local private investor, and procured the buyer, Excel Trust of San Diego. 

Saudi Arabia — Children’s retailer Naartjie Kids said Thursday it opened its first Saudi Arabia flagship store on July 9 in the Riyadh Gallery Mall.  The company said six additional Saudi Arabia stores are slated to open this month.

Middletown, N.Y. — Charter Realty & Development Corp. said that three new leases and one relocation, totaling 90,372 sq. ft. has brought the Dunning Farms Shopping Center, located in Middletown, NY., to 100% occupancy.

Since being brought on to lease Dunning Farms, Charter has executed new leases with Ollies Bargain Basement for 30,775 sq. ft., with Groo Shoes for 3,880 sq. ft., and with Nilsen Insurance for 1,175 sq. ft. What-a-Store has relocated to a 28,000-sq.-ft. store.