Real Estate

Walmart doesn’t need a lot of help when it comes to growth, which is why last week’s announcement by Target to sell its larger rival 39 sites in Canada was a surprise. Walmart is on track to end this year with 333 stores, and on Friday Target said it had reached an agreement to transfer to Walmart Canada the rights for leasehold interests in up to 39 sites currently operated by Zellers. The sites are among the up to 220 possible sites whose leasehold interests Target is acquiring as part of a real estate transaction announced in January.

McLean, Va. -- The Rappaport Cos. announced it has named Charlotte B. Strain as senior VP asset management. Strain will work directly with current clients and third-party accounts and oversee property management, asset management and lease administration functions. She will be responsible for a portfolio of 9 million sq. ft. of retail space and some 1,500 leases.

Strain was previously with Jones Lang LaSalle and AvalonBay Communities.

Parker, Colo. -- Westwood Financial Corp. said it has acquired the Stroh Ranch Retail Center, a 6,336-sq.-ft. property in Parker, Colo., outside Denver. Westwood Financial bought the distressed asset in a short sale and said it is currently eyeing similar opportunities in this sector.

The two-unit, 1999-built Stroh Ranch Retail Center currently counts Pizza Hut as its only tenant after Blockbuster vacated last year, leaving it 21% leased.
 

Franklin, Tenn. -- Centro Properties Group said that Big Lots will open a 40,000-sq.-ft. store at Watson Glen, located in Franklin, Tenn. 

The shopping center is owned by New York City-based Centro Properties Group.
 

Tucson, Ariz. -- Commercial Retail Advisors said that Ben's Speedy Two-Wheelers is opening the first bike store in the Rita Ranch area of Tucson's southeast submarket.

The new 2,500-sq.-ft. space is slated to open in July.

Dallas -- The Commercial Retail Division of The Weitzman Group said that Just Fitness 4 U has leased 18,900 sq. ft. of anchor space in Spring Creek Village for the chain’s sixth Dallas-Fort Worth location.

Just Fitness 4 U, which currently operates locations in Dallas, Carrollton, Mesquite, Plano and Hurst, also operates in several national markets, including Atlanta and Salt Lake City. The Weitzman Group is representing the fitness chain on its Dallas-Ft. Worth expansion.

Atlanta -- Marcus & Millichap Real Estate Investment Services said it has promoted James C. “Chris” Rea to senior VP investments.

Rea began his career with Marcus & Millichap in September 1995, specializing in the sale of retail properties. Most recently, he held the position of first VP investments.
 

Short Hills, N.J. -- The Mall at Short Hills, in Short Hills, N.J., announced that The Cheesecake Factory, Reed Krakoff and Swarovski will open this summer, and Ann Taylor will debut a new concept store.

Opening in July is The Cheesecake Factory, and women’s fashion retailer Reed Krakoff will open in early August, the boutique’s first in New Jersey and fourth in the world. Swarovski will open a new boutique under its Crystal Forest retail design concept, its first in New Jersey.