Real Estate

Bigger is better for this furniture retailer
Warren, Mich. -- At least one retailer is bucking the current smaller store trend by opening its biggest location to date.

Art Van Furniture will open a two-story, 112,000-sq.-ft. store showroom in Downers Grove, Ill., on July 30. It will not only be the largest Art Van Furniture store among the company's 90 Midwest locations, but also and the largest furniture store in Chicagoland.
Bon-Ton sells six stores in leaseback agreement
York, Pa. - The Bon-Ton Stores Inc. is selling six stores for $84 million to CPA: 17 – Global, a non-traded real estate investment trust (REIT) of global net lease REIT W.P. Carey Inc. Bon-Ton will lease the stores back.

Proceeds from the transaction will be used to pay one of two of the company’s mortgage loans due in April 2016. Each loan has about $105 million in principal and consists of 12 properties. Bon-Ton is actively pursuing refinancing options for the second loan.

This grocer is thinking big as competitors go small

With many retailers such as Walmart and Target focused on opening smaller stores, Midwest supermarket operator Roundy’s is thinking big in Chicago with its newest Mariano’s location.
Bon-Ton selling stores to help pay off loan

The Bon-Ton Stores is looking to help pay off a $105 million mortgage on 12 properties with a new deal.

The retailer announced it will sell six properties to CPA:17-Global, a real estate investment trust of W.P. Carey, and lease them back. The deal will generate $84 million for Bon-Ton.
Gap moving into Times Square in a big way

New York -- It’s official: Toys “R” Us is moving out of Times Square and Gap is moving in, but not just with one store.

Gap is planning to open two separate flagships, one for its namesake brand the other for Old Navy, in the space now occupied by Toys “R” Us.

“We're pleased to confirm our plans to construct our newest Gap and Old Navy flagship stores in one of one of the world's most well-known locations – Times Square,” the company said.
Another brand is going brick-and-mortar

New York -- Put your dukes up: Everlast Worldwide is going to open physical stores.

Everlast Worldwide, a global leader in the design, manufacturing, licensing and marketing of authentic boxing equipment and apparel, will open its first-ever U.S. stores this summer. The company, whose roots date back to 1910, will open three locations in Florida, at Westfield Broward Mall in Plantation, Pembroke Lakes Mall in Pembroke Pines, according to Licensemag.com.
Bass Pro Shops on expansion track

New York -- Bass Pro Shops will soon be fishing for new customers in Florida. The fast-growing chain is on track to open its 10th location, in Tampa Bay.

Read more here.
Johnny Rockets sets course for Poland

Aliso Viejo, Calif. - Johnny Rockets is expanding into Poland, with its first Polish location expected in Warsaw in early 2016. The casual dining chain has reached a development agreement with HDS Polska Group to build and operate 10 Johnny Rockets restaurants during the next 10 years.
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HDS Polska Group is a subsidiary of publicly-traded company Lagardere Services that operates a network of more than 800 outlets in the Polish market including convenience stores, coffee shops and full service restaurants.
Bass Pro set to open 10th Florida store

Bass Pro Shops will soon be fishing for new customers in Florida, as the retailer has set a date for its opening in the Tampa Bay area.

According to WFLA in Tampa, the retailer says it will open its doors at 10501 Palm River Rd. in Tampa on July 29.
Garnet Hill to go brick-and-mortar?

Bridgehampton, N.Y. -- Garnet Hill, the online and catalog retailer, is inching closer to brick-and-mortar.

The 39-year-old company is set to open its first physical store, a pop-up location in the tony Long Island town of Bridgehampton, New York. The store is designed to give customer a "touch and feel" experience for Garnet Hill’s merchandise.
Another online player to open physical stores

New York – Online jewelry retailer BaubleBar is making the leap to brick-and-mortar.

Launched in 2011 by two former investment bankers with Harvard MBAs, the retailer will open its first-ever, permanent brick-and-mortar location, a 1,200-sq.-ft. shop at Roosevelt Field Mall, in Garden City, New York. The mall is one of the nation’s largest shopping centers.
Analysis: The Gap, Art Peck, and store closures

Retail consulting firm McMillanDoolittle has posted an interesting blog on Gap Inc.’s ongoing efforts to turnaround its troubled namesake brand. Here is the full posting: