Convenience Stores

New York City -- Indoor billboard network StoreBoard Media said Thursday that it has secured its first retail installation in Canada via a new licensed partner based in Vancouver.

StoreBoard’s new licensee, operating as StoreBoard Media Canada, has signed an agreement with London Drugs to place ads on the retail chain’s security pedestals in the stores’ entrance ways, computer and audio video departments across Western Canada starting immediately.

Allentown, Pa. -- New York City-based The Lightstone Group  announced two long-term lease extensions at Mountainville Shopping Plaza, its 118,000-sq.-ft. shopping center in Allentown, Pa.

Family Dollar has signed a 10-year lease extension for 9,135 sq. ft. of retail space at the shopping center. Studio II Nails has signed a four-year lease extension for 1,500 sq. ft.

Mountainville Shopping Plaza is anchored by a 33,000-sq.-ft. PriceRite Supermarket, an 11,500-sq.-ft. Retro Fitness gym and a 15,000-sq.-ft. Eckerd Pharmacy.

Chesapeake, Va. -- Dollar Tree announced that it has completed its purchase of the assets of  Dollar Giant Store Ltd, which is based in Vancouver, B.C. The purchase is Dollar Tree’s first expansion of its retail operations outside of the United States.

Dollar Giant stores offer a wide assortment of quality general merchandise, contemporary seasonal goods and everyday consumables, all priced at $1.25 (CAD) or less. The stores average 9,000 sq. ft. and operate in British Columbia, Ontario, Alberta and Saskatchewan.

Raleigh, N.C. -- Jacksonville, Fla.-based Regency Centers said it has leased restaurant space in Raleigh, N.C., at Market at Colonnade to Panera Bread.

Panera has leased 4,000 sq. ft. and is slated to open in spring 2011.

Market at Colonnade is a 57,511-sq.-ft. shopping center anchored by a 40,000-sq.-ft. Whole Foods Market.

Columbus, Ind.  -- New York City-based Centro Properties Group announced that Panera Bread has opened a 4,100-sq.-ft. location at Columbus Center, in Columbus, Ind.

Centro Properties Group is the owner of Columbus Center.

Washington, D.C. -- After going head-to-head with discounted holiday gifts such as luxury cashmere sweaters and appliances last year, gift cards are expected to emerge as winners this holiday season. According to NRF’s 2010 Gift Card Consumer Intentions and Actions survey, conducted by BIGresearch, Americans will spend an average of $145.61 on gift cards, up from $139.91 last year. Total gift-card spending is expected to reach $24.78 billion.

Chicago -- U.S. Equities Realty said that Sbarro will open six new quick-service Italian restaurants at the Illinois Tollway Oases.

Sbarro restaurants will open at the Belvidere, Des Plaines, Hinsdale, Lake Forest, Lincoln and O’Hare Oases, and will vary in size from 700 sq. ft. to 1,240 sq. ft., for a total of 6,360 sq. ft.

By Bob Mason, [email protected]