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Death knells for B-Class malls are rung regularly by the general business press and tech pundits, but a major ratings service is telling investors to hold off on funeral plans.   “There’s certainly been far more store closings in 2017 than in previous years…but I think it’s fair to say that investors are comfortable that bricks-and-mortar retail won’t disappear,” said Fitch Ratings managing director Huxley Somerville in a video released by the company this week.  

Bourn Companies has broken ground at a retail center on Tucson’s south side that could eventually add 600,000-sq.-ft. of retail space to the city.   About 220,000-sq.-ft. of that space is taking shape and expected to be completed by the end of the year at Fashion Park Shopping Center, located on Irvington Road at the intersection of Interstate 19. Complete build-out is expected by 2020.  

Dunhill Partners has acquired The Center at Pearland Parkway in Houston, which houses T.J. Maxx and Ross Dress for Less and is shadow-anchored by an HEB grocery store. Seller Stream Realty Partners did not disclose the sale price.   "Due to the ideal spacing between the two closest major retail nodes, the Center at Pearland Parkway offers tenants the ability to capture this under-served community with limited competition," said Stream managing director Mark Sondock.  

One of the most active acquirers in the retail real estate business has made its 292nd purchase in the great State of Texas.    Inland Real Estate Acquisitions announced the purchase of Denton Village in the town of the same name, situated 40 miles north of Dallas. The North Dallas region has been a hotbed of job growth, housing starts, and new retail development.  

A luxury department store retailer has lost its first-ever cyber security chief.   Sarah Hendrickson has left her post as Neiman Marcus’ chief security information officer, reported D Margazine. She joined the company in November 2014, the first executive to hold the position. Neiman Marcus introduced the role following its high profile data breach in 2013.  

The Marketplace at Potomoc Towne Center in Ranson, West Virginia, has been acquired for $35.9 million by Heidenberg Properties Group and Strategic Real Estate Partners (SERP) in a joint venture deal. The seller was Carl Freeman Companies of Rockville, Maryland.  

Captain D’s, which introduced fast-casual seafood to Tennessee nearly 50 years ago, continues to expand at a quick pace.   The Nashville-based chain announced this week that four new locations are planned for the Mobile-Pensacola market in the next five years and five new stores are planned for San Antonio. It added that a new franchisee will open a location in the Jackson, Tennessee, market this year, with more to follow.  

One of the nation’s largest outdoor markets is making room for some brick-and-mortar retail.   Berryessa Properties, a family-owned company that runs the San Jose Flea Market has sold a 6.5-acre parcel adjoining the open-air bazaar to Western National Group. The Irvine, California-based company plans to erect an apartment building with 560 residences in the space, including 37,000 sq. ft. of ground-floor retail in the fifth phase of its Market Park San Jose property.