Mass Merchant

New York — Verizon Communications has elected Kathryn A. Tesija, EVP merchandising and supply chain at Target to the Verizon board of directors, effective immediately.

"Kathee Tesija brings to Verizon her valuable consumer insight as well as significant experience in managing the complex, large-scale, global retail functions of merchandising and supply chain," said Lowell C. McAdam, Verizon chairman and CEO.

The addition of Tesija brings Verizon's total board membership to 12.

Melrose, Mass. -- Charter Realty & Development Corp. announced that shortly after acquiring Towers Plaza in Melrose, Mass., it has signed a 20-year lease for 29,980 sq. ft. to Whole Foods Market.

Whole Foods will move into a space currently occupied by Johnny’s Foodmaster. The space will undergo a major renovation that will coincide with Charter’s renovation of the balance of the center.

GOODLETTSVILLE, Tenn. — Dollar General has elected Sandy Cochran, president and CEO of Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, to its board of directors, effective December 5.

“We are excited to add Sandy to the Dollar General board of directors,” said Rick Dreiling, Dollar General’s chairman and CEO. “Sandy’s extensive experience and perspective will provide us with valuable insights as we continue to grow our business. Her expertise will complement our board as we strive to build shareholder value.”

Indianapolis -- Simon Property Group said Wednesday it has acquired Paragon Outlets Grand Prairie in Grand Prairie, Texas, and Paragon Outlets Livermore Valley in Livermore, Calif.

Simon now owns 100% of each asset.

The 417,000-sq.-ft. Grand Prairie center is tenanted by Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th, Bloomingdale's The Outlet Store, Coach, Cole Haan, DKNY, Hugo Boss, Kate Spade New York, J.Crew, Michael Kors, Nike and Tommy Hilfiger. The center opened in August 2012 and is 100% leased.

Philadelphia -- Metro Commercial Real Estate said that David’s Bridal will open an 8,164-sq.-ft. store at Great Northeast Plaza, located in the northeastern part of Philadelphia.

The new store is slated to open by spring 2013.

Fort Worth, Texas -- Trademark Property Group announced that together with Coventry Real Estate Advisors, Southern Land Co. and PCCP, it has recapitalized the Watters Creek at Montgomery Farm mixed-use project near Dallas in a joint-venture arrangement.
 
The Joint Venture acquired the note on the property from a multi-bank syndicate led by PNC Bank. PCCP provided the capital for the transaction from its opportunistic fund, PCCP Equity VI, L.P.

Tesco arrived in the U.S. in 2007 amid great fanfare with its first Fresh & Easy stores. Now, just five years later, the 30 year Tesco veteran in charge of the 200 unit operation is gone and the company is looking to unload the stores.

When Simon Property Group completes its transformational redevelopment of Del Amo Fashion Center in Torrance, Calif., it will be with a new Nordstrom department store in place.

The iconic 2.3-million-sq.-ft., super-regional center will feature a 138,000-sq.-ft. Nordstrom, which is relocating to Del Amo from South Bay Galleria. Nordstrom is slated to open in 2015.