Department Store

New York — The Feil Organization has named industry veteran Nicholas Forelli Director of Retail Leasing.

In his new role, Forelli will focus on Feil’s leasing efforts throughout the metropolitan area, including New York City, Long Island and New Jersey. Chief among his projects will be Glen Oaks Shopping Center in Queens, working with Briskin on the redevelopment of Concourse Plaza in the Bronx, smaller retail projects around the metro area, as well as One & Olney Square in Philadelphia.

New York -- J.C. Penney on Thursday said that reports claiming CIT Group Inc., the largest lender in the apparel industry, had stopped funding some shipments to Penney were untrue. The retailer said it has plenty of cash on hand and all major suppliers were still shipping.

“J.C. Penney continues to have the support of all of its key vendors, who have maintained their shipments to the company," the company said in a statement on Thursday.

Houston — Transwestern’s Houston office has announced that it will take on leasing responsibilities for a 50,000-sq.-ft, mixed-use development in Houston’s museum district. The development will contain a mix of high-end retail, medical and office space.

Winnipeg, Manitoba -- Silver Jeans Co., the Canadian-based mid luxury denim brand, will open its "loft" concept store at La Plaza Mall on Sept. 13, in McAllen, Texas.

The Woodlands, Texas – Conn’s Inc. is opening a Conn’s HomePlus store in Phoenix. The location marks the specialty chain’s second store in the Phoenix metro market and third store in Arizona.

Conn’s operates 72 retail locations, with 58 in Texas, six in Louisiana, three in each Arizona and Oklahoma, and two in New Mexico.

Chicago — Sleepy’s has signed into two Chicagoland shopping centers as part of the mattress chain’s expansion in the mid-west.

According to Mid-America Asset Management Inc. www.midamericagrp.com, which handles leasing for both centers, Sleepy’s has taken 6,075 sq. ft. at Cicero Annex in Chicago and 6,507 sq. ft. at Willow Creek Center in Glenview. The Chicago location plans to open this summer; the Glenview store opened recently.

VERNON, Calif. — True Religion Apparel has appointed David Conn as CEO. He will be joined by a new leadership team that, together with the company’s new owner, TowerBrook Capital Partners L.P., will be charged with guiding the company into its next phase of growth.

Conn joins from VF Corporation and has leadership experience in brand management and marketing in the apparel and footwear industries. Prior to his time as president of VF Retail Licensed Brands, Conn served as EVP of the Iconix Brand Group.