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Minneapolis — Mill Valley Kitchen, a new restaurant concept from former Excel Bank CEO, Craig Bentdahl, is opening on Tuesday, June 7, in the Ellipse on Excelsior development in St. Louis Park, Minneapolis. 

The design of the 5,000-sq.-ft., farm-to-table restaurant was handled by Minneapolis based design firm, Shea Inc. 

Fort Worth, Texas -- Chicago-based General Growth Properties announced that Hulen Mall, in Fort Worth, Texas, will undergo a major interior facelift and renovation beginning Monday, May 23.  

Voorhees, N.J. -- Philadelphia-based Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust announced that Just Sports Collectibles has opened at Voorhees Town Center, in Voorhees, N.J.

The new store is the retailer’s second location – its first in a mall – and features more square footage and an expanded product line.

Wilmington, N.C. -- Efficient Energy America (E2America) announced that Platinum Corral, a multi-state franchise operator of Golden Corral restaurants, has signed an agreement to install the supplier’s intelligent heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) control system in all 30 of its stores.

Gadsden, Ala. -- Philadelphia-based Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust said that The Children’s Place is set to open a new location at Gadsden Mall in May.

The nearly 3,000-sq.-ft. retailer will be located next to Kay Jewelers, and will be the retailer’s first in the region.

Commack, N.Y. -- North Plainfield, N.J.-based Levin Management Corp. said that frozen dessert company D’Lites Emporium will open a new location at Mayfair Shopping Center, located in Commack, N.Y.

The 1,280-sq.-ft. store will join other food offerings in the center such as Outback Steakhouse, Ciao Baby, Good Taste Buffet, Bagel Boss, Kosher Market & Deli, and Original Brooklyn Pizza.

New York City -- Darden Restaurants plans to roughly double the size of LongHorn Steakhouse during the next 10 years. 

Speaking at Barclay’s Retail & Restaurants Conference in New York City, Darden president and COO Drew Madsen said LongHorn Steakhouse, Olive Garden and Seasons 52 would help drive the company’s growth going forward. Darden want to expand LongHorn Steakhouse, which currently has some 345 locations, to 600 to 800 units over the next decade.

Gadsden, Ala. -- Philadelphia-based Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust said Wednesday that Maurices will move to a new, larger location at Gadsden Mall, in Gadsden, Ala., in May.

The 5,000-sq. ft. expanded store will be positioned near Belk.

The expansion of Maurice’s follows on the heels of the recent opening of KOBE Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bar.

Cincinnati -- Jacksonville, Fla.-based Regency Centers said it has leased restaurant space to Arirang Japanese Bistro at Sycamore Plaza in Cincinnati.

The Japanese Hibachi steak house and sushi restaurant leased 7,600 sq. ft. and is slated to open in the fall. The dining establishment is taking the space formerly occupied by Max & Erma’s restaurant. 

The nation’s leading retail and restaurant chains came together to share ideas, discuss opportunities and find new solutions at Chain Store Age’s 47th annual SPECS conference, in Grapevine, Texas. Reflecting a renewed sense of optimism in the industry, overall attendance was up significantly, among retailers as well as exhibitors. All segments of the industry were in attendance, from discounters and specialty stores to supermarkets and home-improvement outlets to casual-dining restaurants.