Convenience Stores

Walmart is moving forward with what could be characterized as a roll out of its Neighborhood Market format nearly 13 years after the first unit opened in the fall of 1998. Just don’t call it a Neighborhood Market.

Magnolia, Texas -- Jacksonville, Fla.- based Regency Centers said it has leased restaurant space in Magnolia, Texas, at Westwood Village to Five Guys Burgers and Fries.

Five Guys leased 3,127 sq. ft., bringing the center to 97% leased. The restaurant is now open for business.

Westwood Village is a 310,000-sq.-ft. community center anchored by Target, Ross Dress For Less, and T.J. Maxx.

Chicago -- Oakbrook Terrace, Ill.-based Mid-America Asset Management said that Chipotle Mexican Grill, along with Clearly Cares Dental, have recently signed leases at Elston Plaza in Chicago.

Denver-based Chipotle Mexican Grill, which leased 2,405 sq. ft., plans to open a restaurant in third quarter 2011. Clearly Cares Dental signed a lease for 1,500 sq. ft. with plans to open this summer.

Elston Plaza is a 91,713-sq.-ft. Jewel/Osco-anchored shopping center in northwest Chicago.
 

Walmart executive were said to be among a group of major retailers who met with Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel on Wednesday to discuss the elimination of the city’s “food deserts,” essentially areas where roughly 450,000 residents don’t have convenient access to fresh food.

According to an AP report, representatives from Walmart, Walgreen, Aldi and three other chains who were not identified met with Emanuel who reportedly showed a detailed map of the city’s food deserts and made an appeal for projects in specific areas.

SCARSDALE, N.Y. — Natural food retailer Mrs. Green's Natural Market confirmed its acquisition of seven Superfresh grocery locations in Maryland and one Superfresh location in Washington, D.C., from the Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Co.

Phoenix -- Karlin Real Estate has acquired through foreclosure two Phoenix, AZ-area shopping centers totaling nearly 220,000 sq. ft., following the firm's purchase of a non performing loan portfolio with an aggregate unpaid principal of approximately $65.5 million.

Seattle -- Starbucks Corp. launched an application Wednesday that lets customers purchase goods with their Android smartphones. The company already has similar applications nationwide for BlackBerry and iPhone and iPod touch in January.

The application also allows customers to load their Starbucks loyalty card accounts, check card balances and find stores nearby, and it notifies customers of promotions and other discounts.

New York City -- Wal-Mart Stores is ramping up the opening of its mid-sized Neighborhood Market format, which is being renamed Walmart Market, said  Bill Simon, president and CEO, Walmart U.S., on Wednesday at the William Blair & Co. Growth Stock Conference in Chicago.

The Market stores, which average around 42,000 sq. ft., are delivering returns on the same level as supercenters, Simon said, and can be approved and built in less time.