Hospitality

Tianjin, China -- Global architecture and interior design firm, tvsdesign, celebrates the opening of Galaxy Mall, the retail portion of Tianjin's new Cultural Center District, which opened in October 2012. With 360,000 square meters of total building area, Galaxy Mall ranks among the top five largest retail complexes in China, and is more than 80% leased.

ATLANTA — Former Home Depot executive Michael Esposito has joined HoneyBaked as its new VP, human resources, a newly created position. Esposito previously served as director of associate relations for the Home Depot’s northern division.

Change — how to make it happen and effectively manage it — topped the agenda at Chain Store Age’s 10th annual Executive SPECS conference. Executives from some of the nation’s leading retail and restaurant chains and suppliers and service providers in store planning, construction and facilities management attended the event, which was held in November at Red Rock Casino, Resort & Spa, Las Vegas.

Not even a hurricane named Sandy could erode the economic upsurge experienced by the northeastern United States over the last year. What this region rebuilt after the Great Recession has managed to stay strong even in the face of Sandy’s 80-mph winds, record flooding and the damage inflicted by its nor’easter sister that arrived just days after the fall 2012 hurricane.

Plano, Texas -- J.C. Penney said Tuesday it has launched its nationwide Holiday Giving Tour, which entails a 12-day giving spree during which the retailer carries out acts of generosity in a new city each day.

Events include Christmas tree lighting, ice skating, Santa visits and tobogganing.
 
The tour kicks off Nov. 27 with a live holiday performance by Grammy Award-winning artist John Legend, followed by free ice skating, skate rentals and hot chocolate in Manhattan's Citi Pond at Bryant Park.

Wesley Chapel, Fla. -- RMC Property Group said it has been awarded the exclusive leasing assignment for Meadow Pointe, a 17,280-sq.-ft. neighborhood retail center situated within a 1,800-acre residential community in the fast-growing Wesley Chapel market.   

Meadow Pointe is located adjacent to a CVS Pharmacy and has retail space opportunities ranging from 1,200 sq. ft. to 10,500 sq. ft.

Chino Hills, Calif. -- The Shoppes at Chino Hills is bringing Bruxie Gourmet Waffle Sandwiches, joining recent tenants Crème de la Crème Bakery, Icy-Licious shaved ice, Sleep Number bed shop, and What Lola Wants women’s apparel at the Chino Hills, Calif., shopping center.

The 375,000-sq.-ft. community/lifestyle center also features a newly expanded A&M Home Décor.

Chicago -- Oakbrook Terrace, Ill.-based Mid-America Asset Management Inc. announced that Fitness 19 recently leased 10,977 sq. ft. of space at The Broadway at Surf retail center in downtown Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood.

The privately held health club is slated to open in early 2013. 

The Broadway at Surf is a 134,223-sq.-ft. multi-level urban retail center anchored by Walmart Neighborhood Market (coming soon), Bed Bath & Beyond and T.J.Maxx.