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An historic department store building that closed its doors and has been empty for 30 years — long enough for a tree to start growing inside it — has been given a brand new lease on life.  

Eloquii, a fashion-forward online apparel retailer for women sizes 14 to 28, plans to test a physical store.   The retailer plans to open a “concept shop” in Fashion Centre at Pentagon City in Arlington, Va., Women’s Wear Daily reported. The 2,600-sq.-ft. store is scheduled to open in March.     Although only a three-month lease was signed, Eloquii executives see the store as a test to determine the potential for a brick-and-mortar strategy, the report said.

DDR has purchased a new Chicago center anchored by a Mariano’s supermarket for $81 million. The 137,618-sq.-ft. property is located on 3030 North Broadway in the Lakeview section of town.   XSport Fitness, PNC Bank, and Starbucks are tenants in the center along with Mariano’s, a chain Chicagoland founded by former Dominick’s deli worker Bob Mariano, who grew it to nearly 48 stores. The chain is now owned by Kroger.  

Nordstrom is giving shoppers a new way to earn loyalty points.   As of Friday, Jan. 20, Nordstrom Rewards members will earn points toward Nordstrom Notes when they use their Nordstrom credit and debit cards at the chain’s Trunk Club division, a personalized styling service for men and women, offering both virtual and in-person shopping options.   Additionally, Trunk Club will waive its $25 home try-on fee when shoppers order curated trunks of clothing using their Nordstrom card. 

Whole Foods Market has announced the first Northeast location for its streamlined and value-oriented 365 by Whole Foods Market concept.   The retailer will open a 365 store in Brooklyn, New York, in the Fort Greene neighborhood, not far from the Barclay Center. The opening date was not announced.   Whole Foods debuted the 365 format in 2016, and has opened three locations to date, in Silver Lake, Calif; Bellevue, Wash., and Lake Oswego, Oregon.  

Another apparel retailer is looking to downsize its store portfolio.   BCBG Max Azria Group plans to close some stores as it turns its focus to licensing, e-commerce and selling through other retailers, Bloomberg reported.     

Frontgate is looking to create a unique shopping experience at its new location in Dallas.       The luxury home decor and furnishings retailer will open what it called its first experiential store in late May, in the Dallas suburbs. The 22,000-sq.-ft. store will be located at Legacy West, a luxury retail development in Plano, Texas.     Frontgate reaches most shoppers through its catalogs and website. The also company operates a handful of brick-and-mortar locations. 

Limited Stores has taken another step in the liquidation process it started in December.   The women’s apparel retailer announced on Tuesday it has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The chain also said it agreed to a "stalking horse" bid for its intellectual property and some related assets from an affiliate of private equity firm Sycamore Partners.