Restaurant

Millcreek, Pa. -- Chestnut Hill, Mass.-based WS Development and Olympic Realty & Development Corp. announced that they have closed on 42 acres of land in Millcreek, Pa., in conjunction with Walmart.

The land is the future home of Millcreek Town Center, a 350,000-sq.-ft. open-air shopping center, which will include a new Walmart and approximately 160,000 sq. ft. of additional retail and restaurant space.

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.

By Dwayne Shackelford, [email protected]

Proposed new lease accounting rule changes will have a significant impact on many retail and restaurant companies. The good news is that rent will no longer appear on the income statement; the bad news is that it will be replaced by amortization and interest charges, which will generally be larger in the first years of a lease and lower in the latter years.

New York City -- Fitch North America said it was awarded branding and retail work from Buffalo Wild Wings, one of the fastest-growing restaurant chains in the nation.

In addition, Sports Authority has also signed on Fitch. And H&M appointed Fitch as the lead architect for the Southwest region, managing up to nine large outlets per year.

Dallas -- Davaco a provider of retail and restaurant services, announced that the company is partnering with their clients to execute safety audits across stores and restaurants, nationwide.

Boston -- O'Connor/Real Vest Retail Holding Co., LLC, a partnership formed by O'Connor Capital Partners and Wafra Investment Advisory Group, have teamed with The Wilder Cos. to complete transactions that include the purchase of Milford Marketplace in Milford, Conn., and the acquisition of the ownership interest in Phase I of Settlers Ridge in Pittsburgh.

The centers were developed and managed by Chattanooga, Tenn.-based CBL Properties.
 

Southlake, Texas -- Flat Out Crazy Restaurant Group said it has leased 6,012 sq. ft. of space in Shops of Southlake, a specialty shopping center located in Southlake, Texas, for its Stir Crazy Fresh Asian Grill concept. 

This will be the second location to open in Texas. 

The Commercial Retail Division of The Weitzman Group handled negotiations as exclusive retail leasing agents for Shops of Southlake.

Cary, N.C. -- Jacksonville, Fla.-based Regency Centers said it has leased 1,626 sq. ft. of restaurant space NY Bagel Café & Deli, which is opening its new store at Shoppes of Kildaire, located in Cary, N.C.

NY Bagel is slated to open this summer, and its addition brings the shopping center to 97% leased.

The 147,651-sq.-ft. Shoppes at Kildaire is anchored by Gold’s Gym and Home Comfort Furniture alongside national retailers such as Trader Joe’s, Staples, Massage Envy and Subway.