Hospitality

A new retail concept called The Mint Shack is the latest example of how the narrowest of consumer interests can be served with a digital presence — one that can also expand to a physical presence.

A first-of-its-kind website focused on all things mint. The Mint Shack has a simple philosophy, according to owner Scott Crillo, find the best mint products — from taste to color — and offer them under one roof at a fair price.

There has been a great deal of discussion and analysis in recent years regarding the ongoing struggles of many traditional department store giants. Brands like Sears, J.C. Penney and Macy’s are scratching and clawing to continue to stay afloat, together with a number of big-box retailers that are also struggling to remain competitive in an evolving retail marketplace.

Columbus, Ohio -- CASTO, The Daimler Group and The New Albany Company announced a joint venture to develop a large scale, mixed-use property, comprising 320 acres located in Columbus, Ohio at State Route 161 and Hamilton Road interchange.

Hamilton Quarter when completed will include over 700,000 sq. ft. of office space, 1 million sq. ft. of retail, restaurant, and entertainment space, up to 800 multi-family units, and 130 senior living units, as well as hospitality and other destination oriented venues.

Super Tuesday shed a very strong light on what the general election campaign is going to look like as Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump performed well and solidified their frontrunner status.

More importantly, it was essentially a validation of Donald Trump's campaign style and strategy so far. Whether you are a fan of The Donald or not, it is clear that part of that strategy has been focusing on social issues like immigration, race and other political hot potatoes and pushing issues important to Main Street merchants to the back burner.

Phoenix-based PetSmart and the Arizona Diamondbacks are teaming up to create the first-ever season-long dog-friendly ballpark in America.

The retailer worked with the team on new PetSmart Patio, PetSmart Park and the Dog Days of Summer program, where dog-loving fans can bring their dogs to all 13 Sunday Diamondbacks home games in the 2016 season (the first game will be on April 10 vs. the Chicago Cubs).

New York -- The Howard Hughes Corp. announced that Andrew Schwartz has been hired to lead the newly created Global Strategic Partnerships Group as senior VP. He will be responsible for identifying and securing new corporate partnerships across the company’s sought after portfolio that spans from New York to Honolulu, the new division will play an important long term role for the growing company.

Samsung Electronics America has opened what it describes as a “living lab” and “digital playground” in the Meatpacking District of Manhattan.

Starbucks Corp. has lost one of its veteran executives.

The coffee giant revealed in a regulatory filing that former COO Troy Alstead will not return to the company following a year-long unpaid leave. Alstead, whose resignation was effective February 29, 2016, had long been seen as the company’s number two executive and an eventual replacement to current CEO Howard Schultz.