Starbucks Coffee Co.

Yonkers, N.Y. -- Charter Realty & Development announced that Alamo Drafthouse Cinema will open a 25,596-sq.-ft. location at Yonkers Gateway Center in Yonkers, N.Y.

Alamo will be occupying a former United Artists Theatre – Regal Cinema with co-tenants such as Best Buy, Burlington Coat Factory, Gap, Nine West, Starbucks, DSW Shoe Warehouse and more.

Starbucks Coffee Company is participating in a pilot project designed to encourage employees to identify strategies that will reduce the amount of energy required to run the stores while not impacting customer service.

SAN FRANCISCO — The single cup brewing trend as arrived at Williams-Sonoma in the form of the Starbucks’ deluxe Verismo System 585.

According to the company, the Verismo System 585 is the first at-home premium single cup machine that makes Starbucks-quality espresso beverages and brewed coffee with the touch of a button. The system is available in the deluxe 585 or base 580 model online and will be available in stores beginning Sept. 28.

MINNEAPOLIS — Target is opening its first store in East Peoria, Ill. in March 2013. The 135,000 sq. ft. store, located at Clock Tower Drive and West Washington Street, will be part of the 86-acre East Peoria Downtown development.

According to Target, the new store will feature the typical Target assortment along with a selection of fresh produce, fresh packaged meat and pre-packaged baked goods as well as a Starbucks and a Target Pharmacy to further enhance guests’ experience. The store will employ approximately 150 to 200 team members.

New York -- As part of its landmark, multi-year, $400 million dollar renovation of Macy’s Herald Square, the department store retailer debuts the Herald Square Café this week.

Located on the second floor with the shoe department, the 1,434-sq.-ft., 45,-seat café will serve Starbucks coffees, chocolates and high-end champagnes.

Virginia Beach, Va. -- Divaris Real Estate said that the company completed eight lease transactions totaling more than 81,000 sq. ft. of retail space in central Virginia.

Children’s Museum of Richmond leased 26,060 sq. ft. of retail space in the Divaris-leased Winterpock Crossing Shopping Center, located in Midlothian, Va.

K&G Menswear signed a lease for 22,888 sq. ft. of retail space in White Oak Village, located in Richmond and owned by Forest City Commercial Group.

By Jim Porçarelli, Active International

It’s an all-too-familiar sight these days. A man walks into a local retail establishment. He browses the products. He finds one he likes. He tests it out, asks a few questions of a salesperson -- and then snaps an image of the product’s barcode with his cell phone and walks out the door.

The Annual State of the Industry Report is the centerpiece of this issue of Chain Store Age, and it’s a great read. It’s also very timely.