Real Estate

Houston -- Houston-based commercial real estate brokerage Baker Katz, an X Team partner, announced that it has acquired a former Hollywood Video building at Grogan’s Mill and Sawdust in The Woodlands, Texas. 

As part of an investment fund dedicated to real estate development, acquisition and ownership, Baker Katz purchased the 7,500-sq.-ft. building that is located near the area’s newest Wal-Mart Supercenter in The Woodlands, and plans to renovate and expand the building, subdivide it and re-lease the new spaces to individual tenants.

College Station, Texas -- Hobby Town USA recently opened a new 2,480-sq.-ft. store at Central Station, located in College Station, Texas.

Central Station is owned by New York City-based Centro Properties Group.

Scottsdale, Ariz. -- Columbus, Ohio-based Glimcher Realty Trust announced that infant furniture, accessory and clothing retailer giggle has joined the growing tenant roster at its Scottsdale Quarter project in Scottsdale, Ariz.

The new store, which opened Dec. 2, is giggle’s 13th store and first in the state of Arizona.

The giggle store will join other national tenants at Scottsdale Quarter, including Nike; Apple Store; A/X Armani Exchange; H&M, West Elm; and IPic Theaters.

New York City -- Forever 21’s massive Times Square flagship, a shop that sells ice cream made to order and frozen with liquid nitrogen, and a new beauty-and-wellness concept in Hong Kong are on a list of the hottest new stores around the globe.

The list comes from the folks behind the cutting-edge, London-based retail consultancy echochamber.com:

Raleigh, N.C. -- Charlotte, N.C.-based Crosland announced that several new tenants will open at The Shoppes at Oberlin Court mixed-use development in Raleigh, N.C.

Gigi's Cupcakes is slated to open a 1,579-sq.-ft. location in December, Edible Arrangements will open a 1,300-sq.-ft. store, also in December, and Oberlin Nails & Spa has opened a 1,198-sq.-ft. salon.

Austin, Minn. -- Centro Properties Group said Tuesday that Jo-Ann Fabrics & Crafts has opened a 15,000-sq.-ft. store at Austin Town Center, in Austin, Minn. 

Austin Town Center is owned by Centro Properties Group, based in New York City.

Tucson, Ariz. -- Commercial Retail Advisors said Tuesday that water purification retailer Water Mart has signed a lease for a new store in Orange Grove Village, in Tucson, Ariz.

The retailer is relocating from its current site in the local Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market Center to the new 1,200-sq.-ft. space.

The new store is slated to open in mid-December.