Real Estate

Purchase, N.Y. — Jersey Mike’s Subs has opened a new shop at Kohl’s Plaza in Holmdel, N.J. Kohl’s and Stein Mart anchor the 184,575-sq.-ft. shopping center owned and managed by National Realty & Development Corp.

The tenant line-up also includes 7-Eleven, Harmon Stores, Avenue, Wells Fargo and the Bayshore Academy of Dance.

Birmingham, Ala. — Bayer Properties has appointed Brad Bailey VP of business development. With more than 20 years of experience in the commercial real estate and retail industry, Bailey comes to Bayer from The Weitzman Group, where he held the position of senior VP and director of investment sales. His responsibilities there included consulting on acquisitions, dispositions, operations, leasing and financing.

Smaller format stores are all the rage these days. Dollar General, which already operates nearly 12,000 stores, plans to open 700 more units this year. Walmart recently announced plans to accelerate growth of its smaller format stores by opening between 270 and 300 small stores, more than double the 120 to 150 store range it projected last fall. Even Target has gotten in on the action with plans to open its first Target Express store near downtown Minneapolis this summer.

New York -- Ross Stores continues to expand in 2014. The off-price retailer has already opened 30 Ross Dress for Less and seven dd's Discounts stores in 14 different states, and there's more to come.

"We remain on track to open a total of approximately 95 new locations in 2014, comprised of about 75 Ross Dress for Less and 20 dd's Discounts," said Jim Fassio, president and chief development officer. "Today, Ross Dress for Less is the largest off-price apparel and home fashion chain in the U.S.”

MILWAUKEE — In his first major appearance before a Milwaukee crowd, Meijer CEO Hank Meijer said the retailer is gearing up for growth in Wisconsin over the next few years, according to the Milwaukee Business Journal.

Speaking at the recent Milwaukee Business Journal’s Power Breakfast, he said the company is likely to open 10 to 12 stores a year, and most of the locations will be in Wisconsin, the publication reported.

New York -- Plus-sized retailer Ashley Stewart has filed for voluntary Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. As part of its restructuring plan, the company announced it will immediately close 27 underperforming locations. Ashley Stewart currently operates some 168 stores. The company previously filed Chapter 11 in 2010.

In a separate statement, the company said potential buyers have expressed interest in buying the chain.

Dallas — Crunch Fitness is coming to Texas. Dallas entrepreneur, author and founder of Planet Tan, Tony Hartl plans to roll out eight to 10 Crunch Fitness locations in the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area by 2016.

Dublin, Calif. -- Ross Stores recently opened a total of 30 Ross Dress for Less and seven DD’s Discounts stores in 14 different states. These openings are part of the off-price retailer's 2014 expansion plans for about 95 new stores, which will include continuing to build presence in existing markets and grow in the newer markets initially entered in 2011.

Ross believes that long-term expansion opportunities include 2,000 Ross Dress for Less stores and 500 DD’s Discounts stores.