News Briefs

Chipotle Mexican Grill is partnering with an autonomous drone provider to offer a new delivery option.

The quick-service retailer is utilizing quiet, zero-emissions automated drone aircraft from Zipline to fly digital orders to a small number of customers in greater Dallas, starting Thursday, Aug. 21. 

Chipotle is planning a broader rollout of this service in the coming weeks. Eligible customers in the Rowlett, Tex. area can download the Zipline app and place their Chipotle order. Employees will then place the order into a “Zipping Point,” which allows Zipline drone to autonomously pick up the order for delivery.

A single Chipotle restaurant will be the first to offer Zipotle deliveries. The service will operate seven days a week, initially from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. CT, and will soon expand to 10 p.m. CT. The entire menu is eligible for Zipotle delivery.

"Zipotle is a quick and convenient source of delivery that lets guests enjoy our real food from places that are traditionally challenging to serve, including backyards and public parks," said Curt Garner, president, chief strategy and technology officer at Chipotle. "Zipline's commitment to building an efficient, environmentally friendly delivery experience is synonymous with our mission to cultivate a better world."

Chipotle has also previously invested in has invested in self-driving technology company Nuro, whose vehicles are used for autonomous delivery by several retailers.

[READ MORE: Chipotle drives innovation forward with robotic delivery investment]

"With Zipline, you tap a button, and minutes later food magically appears - hot, fresh, and ultra-fast,” said Keller Rinaudo Cliffton, CEO and co-founder of Zipline. “Starting today, families in the Dallas area can have food delivered by Zipotle and served for lunch or dinner. What once felt like science fiction is soon going to become totally normal.”      

Brands eyeing spaces at the quarter-million-sq.-ft Tilghman Square Shopping Center in Allentown, Pa., are going to have to wait.

The 248,533-sq.-ft. center, whose tenants include Harbor Freight, Moe’s Southwest Grill, and New Vision Theatres, is full up, reaching 100% occupancy with a lease for a 13,000-sq.-ft. space signed by F13 Performance.

Expected to open in October, the health and fitness club chain expects its Tilghman shop to be its flagship location in the Lehigh Valley area. F13 Performance is a premier health and fitness club focused on small-group training, personalized training programs, and sports performance.

“We’re excited to launch our new location at Tilghman Square to provide our members with a state-of-the-art fitness and performance experience,” said Robert Eschbach, owner of F13 Performance. “This expansion reflects our commitment to bringing our unique training methodology to communities across the region and helping people develop and maintain healthy lifestyles.”

[READ MORE: 2025’s top traffic-builders: Movie theaters, attractions, gyms]

Tilghman Square is owned and operated by Larken Associates, which was founded 60 years ago by Lawrence W.. Gardner who left a career on Wall Street to develop real estate in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.
Other key retail properties owned by Larken include Parsippany Commons in The Shoppes at Woods Commons in Lawrenceville, N.J.; Westfall Towne Center in Matamoras, Pa., and the Village at Hawke Point in Washington, N.J.

“Tilghman Square is one of the most sought-after commercial centers in Lehigh County,” said Victor Kelly, executive VP of Larken’s commercial division. “We are thrilled to welcome F13 Performance to Tilghman Square and bring the property to full occupancy.”

Pacific Retail Capital Partners (PRCP) has added a new SoCal mall to its portfolio. 

The retail real estate operator, along with its partners Lyon Living and Silverpeak, have announced the acquisition of Lakewood Center in Lakewood, Calif., a southern suburb of Los Angeles. The 2 million-sq.-ft. shopping center’s roster of tenants includes major retailers such as Macy’s, Target, Costco, Home Depot and JCPenney, along with a host of food and beverage offerings.

“Lakewood Center is more than a shopping destination – it’s a landmark of postwar American development, a cornerstone of the Lakewood community, and a symbol of how retail can evolve alongside the people it serves,” said PRCP CEO Steve Plenge. “Since opening in 1950, the property has adapted to the cultural, economic, and demographic shifts of Southeast Los Angeles, emerging as one of the most highly trafficked malls in the country and consistently generating over $1 billion in annual sales."

[READ MORE: The power of strategic leasing]

Looking ahead, PRCP and its partners say Lakewood Center will be “reimagined” through the development of a comprehensive master plan, transforming the property into a walkable destination that “blends legacy retail with new residential, wellness, entertainment and green spaces.”

“As we look ahead, our vision is to honor that heritage while transforming Lakewood Center into a next-generation mixed-use destination,” added Plenge. “One that meets the needs of a thriving, diverse community and continues to anchor regional vitality for decades to come.”

PRCP’s portfolio totals 24 properties encompassing over 20 million square feet.

(Image courtesy of Pacific Retail Capital Partners)

Bed Bath & Beyond is launching a brick-and-mortar comeback, but is skipping the nation’s most populated state.

Beyond Inc., parent of Bed Bath & Beyond, issued a statement from executive chairman Marcus Lemonis explaining the company’s decision to not open or operate stores in California, although online delivery will be available there. 

Beyond Inc. will change its corporate name to Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. and its common stock will begin trading under the ticker symbol BBBY on the New York Stock Exchange effective Friday, Aug. 29, 2025. The renewed brand will combine its billion-dollar BedBathandBeyond.com platform with localized stores offering curated assortments in small to midsize locations.

[READ MORE: Beyond to open Overstock stores, test BuyBuy Baby location]

In addition, during the next 24 months, the companies plan to convert additional Kirkland’s locations into small-to- midsize format Bed Bath & Beyond and buybuy Baby stores. Beyond Inc. entered into an agreement to acquire Kirkland’s intellectual property for $5 million in May 2025.

Ace Hardware is marching forward with store expansion.

The Illinois-based hardware retail has opened 100 new stores so far this year, and is on pace to open more than 175 new locations by the end of 2025. Over the past five years, Ace has opened more than 930 new stores as it continues to expand its presence nationwide. The chain operates almost 5,200 retail stores in the United States.

Ace says its new store growth is fueled by a blend of existing retailers opening additional locations, competitor stores converting to the brand, and new entrepreneurs joining the cooperative for the first time. 

[READ MORE: Ace Hardware supports store fulfillment with new facility]

“This milestone reflects the continued strength of our local ownership model, our commitment to service, and the trust our customers place in Ace,” said Andy Enright, senior VP of retail strategy and operations at Ace Hardware. “Even in a world of rapid change, we believe that helpfulness, human connection and a commitment to community will always be at the center of enduring retail success.”

The 100th store opening of the year comes on the heels of Ace launching its debut retail media network, RedVest Media. The network aims to offer brand advertisers a retail media solution that includes onsite premium ads, search, and display; email and push messaging; in-store signage; and offsite programmatic display, video, connected TV and mobile ads.

Ace Hardware is the largest hardware cooperative in the world, serving more than 8,700 locally-owned and operated stores around the globe.

Victoria’s Secret has opened a new location in one of Miami Beach’s premier shopping strips.

The lingerie giant’s new flagship store spans 7,500 sq. ft., and is located on Lincoln Road, known for its upscale retail and restaurant offerings. After relocating from a nearby site, Victoria’s Secret secured a 12-year lease with Alta Real Estate Funds.

The flagship’s opening follows six months of extensive preparations, and represents a “major milestone” for both the retailer and Miami’s vibrant shopping district.

“Alto invests strategically in properties that elevate our portfolio, and Lincoln Road exemplifies such an asset,” said Yaniv Melamud, co-founder and CEO of Alto Real Estate Funds. “This long-term lease with Victoria’s Secret reinforces the value of this prime location and strengthens our presence on one of the most prestigious retail streets in the United States.”

[READ MORE: Victoria’s Secret names marketing chief; expects $10M Q2 hit from cyber breach]

At the end of its most recent quarter, Victoria’s Secret had a total of 1,387 stores, including 772 company-operated locations. 

Alto’s portfolio includes 79 properties and over 15 million sq. ft., with a focus on logistics centers and open-air retail.