Convenience Stores

Miami Gardens, Fla. — The owners of Palmetto Gardens Plaza, a 7.1-acre center in Miami Gardens, have reached a settlement with PNC Bank, secured a new loan with Hudson Financial Services and signed a lease with Wal-Mart for a Neighborhood Market Store as its anchor tenant.

In January of 2010, PNC Bank filed a foreclosure action against Palmetto Design Center, the property owner. That action has been settled.

Bryn Mawr, Pa. — Ollie’s Bargain Outlet has opened at Boardman Plaza in Youngstown, Ohio, according to WP Realty, the center’s owner.

Boardman Plaza is a 625,000-sq.-ft. center and home to national, regional and local tenants including Burlington Coat Factory, Hobby Lobby, Save A Lot, Planet Fitness, Michaels, giant Eagle and Rite Aid.

Chino Hills, Calif. — The Shoppes at Chino Hills, a 380,000-sq.-ft. community and lifestyle center in Chino Hills, Calif., has announced leases with five new retailers.

DB Shoes has opened its first Inland Empire store in a 6,100-sq.-ft. space next to Aeropostale.

Another Inland Empire first is The Kickin’ Crab, set to open in the spring of 2014.

Originally an online business, Kid’s Wonderland recently opened its first brick-and-mortar retail location at Chino Hills.

Walmart and its joint venture partner in India, Bharti Enterprises, are parting ways after six years, the companies announced.

Plans call for Walmart to acquire Bharti’s 50% stake in their joint venture begun in 2007 to operate cash and carry wholesale stores branded as Best Price Modern Wholesale. At the time, that was the only sector of retail where Indian law allowed for foreign direct investment. The first Best Price store opened in 2009 and today there are 20 units spread throughout India.

Bi-Lo and Winn-Dixie parent Bi-Lo Holdings plans to retire the Sweetbay and Reid’s banners. The company will begin converting all Sweetbay stores to the Winn-Dixie name and Reid's stores to Bi-Lo in 2014, and confirmed the Harveys banner would remain intact.

The grocery retailer acquired all three banners from Brussels, Belgium-based Delhaize Group last May.

Springfield, Mass. — Charter Realty has announced four leases totaling 59,030 sq. ft. in the Springfield Plaza Center in Springfield, Mass.

Planet Fitness will move into a 20,000-sq.-ft. facility currently under construction. Aaron’s Rentals has renewed its lease for 8,030 sq. ft. Rocky’s Ace Hardware has also renewed on 25,500 sq. ft. Finally, the 99 Restaurant has renewed a 5,500-sq.-ft. space.

K-Mart, Super Stop and Shop and TJMAXX anchor the 550,000-sq.-ft. Springfield Plaza Center.

Bloomington, Minn. — Bruegger’s Bagels will open this week in Mall of America as part of the first phase of the mall’s $2 billion expansion.

The Mall of America opening is another step in Bruegger’s effort to expand into non-traditional venues such as airports, colleges and hospitals. The 1,699-sq.-ft. bakery-café will seat 18 and offer additional seating in the food court.

Moorestown, N.J. — Charlotte Russe will join Moorestown Mall’s lineup this fall with a 5,000-sq.-ft. store located in the center of the mall. Over the next several months, Marc Vetri’s Osteria, Firebirds Wood Fired Grill, Corner Bakery and the Regal Premium Experience (RPX) Theater will open stores in the mall as well. Distrito by Jose Garces is set to join the mall in 2014.

By Doug Brown

With the use of smartphones and other mobile devices continuing to grow, more and more merchants are looking for a way to capitalize on a communication device that many people never put down. And, as the leaders in this area are finding, mobile loyalty and payment incentive programs possess many benefits for chain stores.

Tie mobile and incentives together

Chicago -- Dollar stores are not just for lower- and middle-income shoppers. In fact, half (50%) of respondents from the highest-income households ($150k+) say that they are shopping at dollar stores the same amount this year compared to last year, with 10%  say they are doing so more than last year, according to new research from Mintel. Only 32% of respondents from the highest-income households claim not to shop at dollar stores.