Convenience Stores

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — As previously announced and widely reported, March 1 marks the day that Larry Merlo officially assumes the role of CEO of CVS Caremark. Merlo, who now serves as president and CEO, succeeds Tom Ryan, who remains nonexecutive chairman until his retirement at the company's Annual Meeting of Shareholders in May.

Ossining, N.Y. -- Tarrytown, N.Y.-based Infill Development, LLC, affiliate of DLC Management Corp., announced the groundbreaking of a new development project in Ossining, N.Y. A stand-alone Walgreens will be constructed on the site of a former strip center, a New York State Brownfields site which is scheduled to undergo demolition shortly.

The new 9,483-sq.-ft. Walgreens store is slated to open in the fourth quarter of 2011.

Moorestown, N.J. -- Philadelphia-based Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust (PREIT) said that Elevation Burger has opened a 2,245-sq.-ft. restaurant at Moorestown Mall, located in Moorestown, N.J.

The casual eatery is located next to Bistro Express, with both a mall entrance and an outside entrance, and is a market first for the concept.

Another new concept to South Jersey also recently opened at Moorestown Mall -- Bubby’s Brisket. The 1,017-sq.-ft. restaurant is located in Moorestown Mall’s Food Court.

Watchung, N.J. -- RAS Brokerage announced that it has secured a lease for Buffalo Wild Wings at BJ’s Shopping Center, located in Watchung, N.J.

Buffalo Wild Wings has signed a lease for a 5,856-sq.-ft. end-cap at the Vornado Realty Trust-owned center.

AMPAL Restaurant group d.b.a. Buffalo Wild Wings opened its first unit at the Monmouth Mall in 2010. The Watchung store will be its second and will open on March 7. 

RAS Brokerage is the restaurant division of Plymouth Meeting, Pa.-based Fameco Real Estate, LP.

Woonsocket, R.I. -- CVS Caremark Corp. announced Tuesday that Larry J. Merlo has assumed the role of chief executive. Merlo, now president and CEO of CVS Caremark, succeeds Thomas M. Ryan who will remain non-executive chairman until his retirement at the company's annual meeting in May.

Merlo, a pharmacist by training with over 30 years in pharmacy health, joined CVS/pharmacy in 1990 through the company's acquisition of Peoples Drug.

Retailer demand for new locations is up across the board, according to ChainLinks Retail Advisors’ just-released National Retailer and Restaurant Expansion Guide. The report details the current expansion plans for hundreds of the largest U.S. retail and restaurant chains.

“As 2010 came to a close, growth plans were up 30% from the levels we recorded last year,” said ChainLinks’ research director, Garrick Brown,/ Right now, expansion plans are up 40% over last year’s levels.”

New York City -- Retailer demand for new locations is up across the board, according to ChainLinks Retail Advisors’ just-released National Retailer and Restaurant Expansion Guide. The report details the current expansion plans for hundreds of the largest U.S. retail and restaurant chains.

Originally purchased by Paster Enterprises in 1985, Mendota Plaza in Mendota Heights, Minn., underwent a minor facelift in 1989. In 2005, it became evident that the 60,000-sq.-ft. community shopping center needed a significant revitalization, and so the planning began. While developing the plans for the new and improved Mendota Plaza, Paster Enterprises worked tirelessly to acquire the adjacent eight acres of land. Along with several smaller parcels, the land was acquired, bringing the full parcel to 21.2 acres.

WASHINGTON — The National Retail Federation last week responded to the Federal Reserve's proposal to cap debit card swipe fees at 12 cents per transaction.

Target is set to report February same-store sales this Thursday and offer the first data point of the new fiscal year in which same-store sales are forecast to increase in the range of 4% to 5%. For February, the company has forecast a low single-digit increase and last week in conjunction with the release of fourth-quarter results confirmed it was on track to meet the low single-digit number.