Restaurant

As a category of shopping center, open-air centers have been evolving ever since the days they were called lifestyle centers. New categories of tenants have evolved, along with new ways of creating compelling tenant mixes and environments. We asked three open-air owners to tell us about current and possible future directions that evolution may take.

The companies are San Diego-based American Assets Trust; Irvine Co. Retail Properties in Irvine, Calif.; and Columbus, Ohio-based Glimcher Realty Trust. Here’s what they had to say.

Waban, Mass. -- H.E.B. Grocery, Trader Joe's, Chick-fil-A, and Publix earned the highest scores in the 2014 Temkin Experience Ratings, which ranked 268 companies across 19 industries. Joining those firms in the top 14 spots are Aldi, Food Lion, Sonic Drive-In, credit unions, Dairy Queen, Kroger, Piggly Wiggly, Regions, Sam's Club, and Starbucks.

Founded as a “cook your own steak” restaurant in an abandoned gas station in 1974, Quaker Steak & Lube has evolved into one of the nation’s most up-and-coming casual-dining chains, renowned for its award-winning chicken wings and flavorful — make that hot — sauces. But as much as the food offerings have changed at “The Lube,” the brand remains true to its gas station and vintage car-loving roots.

CROSSROADS

Location: Irvine, Calif., at the intersection of Culver Drive and Barranca Parkway. Average daily traffic is 43,000 vehicles.

Size: 334,000-sq.-ft. community center

Developer: Irvine Co. Retail Properties

Remember 2011 and 2012? Back then, the forecasters were saying that the economy would probably be sluggish through 2013. After that, starting in 2014, growth would return.

Oak Brook, Ill. — Inland Real Estate Income Trust has acquired the 69,381-sq.-ft. Park Avenue Shopping Center in Lille Rock, Ark., for $28.12 million. IREIT Business Manager & Advisor assisted Inland Real Estate Acquisitions in the transaction.

New York -- Uniqlo is remodeling the second floor of its Manhattan flagship on Fifth Avenue, and will reopen it on March 28 as the “SPRZ (Surprise) NY Store.” The renovated space will include the introduction of the “Starbucks Experience,” a full-service coffeehouse.

Plainville, Mass. – Honey Dew Donuts plans to open a new store inside a YMCA in Quincy, Mass. In an interesting twist, the store reportedly won’t actually serve the retailer’s titular product.