Real Estate

New York City -- The U.S. shopping-center industry grew to approximately 108,000 centers in 2010, according to the latest statistics from CoStar Group. The data, compiled on behalf of the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC), marked the slowest U.S. industry growth (+0.2% or 259 centers) on record since at least 1971 for which consistent data exist.

Dayton, Ohio -- A report by the Dayton Business Journal said that the Liz Claiborne distribution center in West Chester, Ohio, will close within the next year.

Liz Claiborne said it plans to close and sell the 900,000-sq.-ft. DC due to “changing business needs,” company spokeswoman Dana Stambaugh told the Journal.

The mixed-use project MarketStreet Lynnfield continues to forge ahead, as co-developers WS Development and National Development announced on June 6 that Whole Foods Market, Kings and Legal C Bar have signed leases to join the property.

Whole Foods will open a 45,000-sq.-ft. store at MarketStreet Lynnfield, which is located on Route 128/I-95 spanning Exits 42 and 43 in Lynnfield, Mass.

Atlanta -- Jones Lang LaSalle said Tuesday it has been named the new leasing and/or property manager for five retail properties in Arkansas, North Carolina, New York and Ohio.

The portfolio, owned by a variety of institutional investors, includes open-air shopping centers and a single-tenant property in Manhattan.

New York City -- Johnny Rockets debuted its updated interior design at its just-opened restaurant at South Street Seaport, in New York City.

"I've waited 10 years for this site, and we've taken great care to preserve the historical aspects of the building, while keeping to the tradition of our sleek and modern American feel," said Johnny Rockets franchise owner Bill White. "

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Borders Group executive VP and chief merchandising officer Michele Cloutier has resigned, Borders said in a late afternoon Friday filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

It is the latest in a string of high-level departures from the bookseller as it struggles to emerge from bankruptcy protection.

On Thursday, the company received a deadline extension until mid-October to file a plan to restructure. An attorney for Borders said parts of the company could be sold in as quickly as two weeks.

Hingham, Mass. -- The Talbots reported Tuesday that first-quarter profit was $739,000, compared with a loss of $4.4 million in the year-ago period. However, net sales dropped 6% to $301.3 million, compared with $320.7 million in the same period last year, and consolidated same-store sales decreased 7.7%.

Results missed Wall Street estimates and the company has lowered its second quarter outlook.

As part of our ongoing coverage of RECon, the annual retail real estate convention conducted by the International Council of Shopping Centers and held May 22-25 in Las Vegas, Chain Store Age talked with Adam Ifshin, president and CEO of Tarrytown, N.Y.-based DLC Management Corp., to get his take – post-convention – about the state of the industry.

What are your key takeaways from RECon 2011?