Real Estate

Soft Surroundings Pampers Customers
At a time when many retailers are cutting back on store expansion, Soft Surroundings is doing just the opposite, growing its retail footprint with a prototype that brings its brand experience to life. The women’s lifestyle brand, founded in 1998 as a catalog retailer, opened its first store in 2005. But it’s only been in the past couple of years that Soft Surroundings, which also has a thriving online business, has made a big push into brick-and-mortar. (In summer 2013, private equity firm Brentwood Associates took a majority interest — 55% — in the firm.)
SHOP TALK
RANDOM NOTES: The North Face puts its passion for adventure and the great outdoors front and center in its new flagship in London. Designed to inspire customers to explore the world, the 4,300-sq.-ft. store features skylights, live greenery, tree trunks that extend through the ceiling windows, and such tech enhancements as a virtual reality experience that takes viewers on a journey through Nepal. Digital screens (“sky windows”) set in the ceiling have imagery that reflects outside weather conditions.

X Team partners complete sale-leaseback transactions for three Melrose Family Fashions locations

Salt Lake City -- X Team International, an international alliance of retail real estate advisors, announced that partners Mountain West Retail and Investment, Dunbar Commercial and Endeavor Real Estate Group, completed three sale-leaseback transactions to Capview Partners for Melrose Family Fashions totaling 32,160 sq. ft. The Melrose Family Fashions stores included in the transaction are located in three Texas cities: Laredo, Odessa and Rio Grande City.
Major Renovations completed at Goshen Plaza

Gaithersburg, Md. -- Elion Partners announced it has completed capital improvements for Goshen Plaza in Gaithersburg, Maryland. The 45,654 sq. ft., CVS-anchored shopping center has undergone upgrades to its exterior, landscaping and parking lots.

“Our goal is to increase visibility and enhance the customer’s experience while at Goshen Plaza,” said Juan DeAngulo, managing principal, Elion Partners. “The capital improvement project ensures Goshen Plaza will remain a top community destination for years to come.
Taubman and Macerich to Acquire Country Club Plaza

Kansas City, Mo. -- Taubman Centers and The Macerich Company announced an agreement to purchase Country Club Plaza located in Kansas City, Missouri, from Highwoods Properties. Taubman and Macerich will each have a 50% interest in the center, which will be jointly managed by both companies. The mixed-use retail and office property was purchased for $660 million cash, excluding transaction costs. Concurrent with or shortly after closing, a long-term, fixed-rate loan for 50%-60% of the purchase price is expected to be placed on the asset.
Kimco appoints new CEO to its board of directors

New Hyde Park, N.Y. -- Kimco Realty Corp. announced that Conor C. Flynn, president and CEO, has been appointed to the company’s board of directors effective January 1, 2016, simultaneous with his elevation to the CEO role. Flynn succeeds David B. Henry who retired as vice chairman of the board of directors and CEO on January 1, 2016.
Mid-America secures three new retail leases at Orland Park Crossing

Oakbrook Terrace, Ill. -- Mid-America Asset Management announced that the firm recently secured three new retail leases on behalf of Orland Park Crossing located in Orland Park, Illinois. Orland Park Crossing is a 107,371-sq. ft. lifestyle center featuring tenants White House | Black Market, Talbots, Charles Schwab, Ann Taylor, Charming Charlie and more.
Off-pricer to make New Orleans debut

Nordstrom Rack is coming to New Orleans.
Sandwich chain slices deep into site selection

Cousins Subs, a regional sub sandwich retailer with more than 100 locations in Wisconsin and Arizona, knows that a bigger sandwich isn’t better unless it has the right ingredients.

Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin-based Cousins is taking the same approach to corporate growth that it takes to increasing the size of its sandwiches. Cousins is partnering with customer analytics platform provider Buxton to develop site selection strategies based on core customer insights. Buxton will also identify new real estate growth opportunities for Cousins Subs in the Midwest.
C-store company adds 62 stores

Circle K Stores Inc., a division of Alimentation Couche-Tard, has purchased 62 convenience stores in nine states from Dallas-based Greatstone Equities Inc., according to the Greater Baton Rouge Business Report.

The deal includes locations in Arizona, California, Florida, Louisiana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Texas and Washington, the report said.
Soft Surroundings Pampers Customers as it Expands Store Network

Photo: ColorTek - Studio C, St. Louis
Restaurant chain to add 33 new locations in California

Sonic Drive-In is expanding its footprint in the Golden State.

The company signed franchise agreements to open a total of 33 new drive-ins in the state of California over the next seven years.

The 33 drive-ins are planned for multiple markets across the state: 11 in Sacramento; 12 in the San Francisco Bay Area; three in west Los Angeles; five between Bakersfield and Stockton and two in the Palm Springs area.