Casual

Slidell, La. -- Chattanooga, Tenn.-based CBL & Associates Properties and Covington, La.-based Stirling Properties announced Wednesday the formation of a 65/35 joint venture to develop Fremaux Town Center in Slidell, La.  

New York -- Winick Realty Group said that women’s formal wear brand Social Apparel, with locations in four New York malls, has leased its first freestanding location at 255 West 34th Street, located between Seventh and Eighth Avenues in Manhattan’s Garment District.

The store includes 1,760 sq. ft. on the ground floor, 1,276 sq. ft. on the mezzanine and 1,540 sq. ft. in the basement.
 

Levi’s latest New York City location, in SoHo, has a rustic feel, enhanced by the use of wood and other materials. Designed by MBH Architects, the 12,683-sq. ft. store features tent-like dressing rooms and lighting fixtures made of rope. The "fit bar" is a table made of natural wood logs.

SUFFERN, N.Y. — Ascena Retail Group reported a lower than expected 2% decline in same store sales at physical stores for the November and December holiday period, but managed a 30% increase in online sales.

Combined comparable store and e-commerce sales for the holiday period ended December 29, 2012 increased 1%, prompting Ascena to lower earnings per share guidance for its current fiscal year ending July 27.

San Francisco -- Gymboree Corp. has hired a second senior-level Gap Inc. executive, naming Gap North America finance VP Evan Price as its new CFO.

Price, who also served as VP of Old Navy, will take over Gymboree’s top finance slot on Jan. 21, joining new CEO Mark Breitbard, former Gap North American division president.

Philadelphia -- Destination Maternity Corp. said it is opening its first Destination Maternity store in Canada on Thursday in Calgary, Alberta, at the Kingsland Village retail development.

The store will debut its A Pea in the Pod brand in Canada.

New York -- Modell’s Sporting Goods said Wednesday it has named Charles Castaneda chief merchandising officer for the chain, a promotion from his current position of EVP planning and allocations.

The company has also moved Jay O’Brien from general merchandising manager of footwear to general merchandising manager of sporting goods, to succeed the recently departed Bill Hackett.  

Jeff Schaffer has been promoted to general merchandising manager of footwear.

SUFFERN, N.Y. — Ascena Retail Group has named Dirk Montgomery as its new EVP and CFO.

Current EVP and CFO Armand Correia is retiring after 21 years with the specialty retailer, which offers clothing, shoes and accessories for missy and plus-size women and tween girls, under the Justice, Lane Bryant, Maurices, Dressbarn and Catherines brands.

San Francisco -- Gymboree Corp. announced Tuesday that it has appointed Mark Breitbard as CEO, effective Jan. 14. Breitbard joins Gymboree from Gap Inc., where he was president of Gap North America.

He also has served as EVP of GapKids and babyGap.

Breitbard succeeds interim CEO Kip M. Garcia, who will resume his former duties as president. Garcia stepped in when former CEO Matthew McCauley resigned last September.

Interim COO Yvonne Hao will return to her role as an operating partner at Bain Capital.

Fort Worth, Texas -- Columbus, Ohio-based Glimcher Realty Trust announced Monday the acquisition of University Park Village, an open-air center located in Fort Worth, Texas.

The 173,220-sq.-ft. center is 97% occupied, generates sales of more than $800/sq. ft., and is tenanted by Apple, Anthropologie, J. Crew, Lululemon Athletica and Madewell, among others.

Glimcher purchased University Park Village for $105 million.