Mass Merchant

Austin, Texas -- Jacksonville, Fla.-based Regency Centers said it closed on the acquisition of Tech Ridge Center, an 187,529-sq.-ft. neighborhood shopping located in Austin, Texas, on Sept. 26.  

Built in 2001, Tech Ridge Center is anchored by an 84,352-sq.-ft. H-E-B alongside national retailers including Office Depot, Petco, Subway and Massage Envy.  The center is 93% occupied.

New York — British apparel retailer Jack Wills is looking to nearly double its store count in the United States, according to various reports in the U.K. media.

The company, which specializes in preppy clothing for young men and women, currently operates 11 U.S. locations and has plans to add eight to 10 stores next year. It made its U.S. debut in 2010, in Massachusetts.

New York City -- O'Connor/Wafra Retail Partners, a fund sponsored by O'Connor Capital Partners and Wafra Investment Advisory Group, said it has acquired a 278,209-sq.ft., open-air center, Baybrook Village, in Houston.

Baybrook Village is anchored by Sports Authority, Ross and Toys ‘R’ Us, and also features PetSmart, Ulta, Jos. A. Bank and Jo-Ann Fabric & Crafts.  

The revelation this week that Target chief marketing officer Michael Francis had jumped ship to become president at JCPenney was a surprising development that sucked some of the oxygen out of the retailer’s Minneapolis headquarters. Target is all about marketing and Francis was instrumental in shaping some of the most interesting customer communications the marketing world saw during the past decade. He was so highly thought of that earlier this year he was tapped to lead Target’s entry into Canada, arguably the company’s most significant longer term growth driver.

Madison, Wis. -- Lee & Associates’ Madison office said it has completed $2.8 million of leases at The Shoppes at Hartford; a 24,000-sq.-ft. retail center in Hartford, Wis. 

Located next to a new Wal-Mart Super Center, Lee Madison had the center 75% pre-leased before construction commenced and 100% leased before construction was finalized. Construction commenced April 1, and all tenants are expected to open before Christmas 2011.

The Associated Press reported last week that First Lady Michelle Obama was sighted shopping incognito at a D.C. area Target store wearing a baseball cap and sunglasses. Secret Service agents arrived about a half-hour before Mrs. Obama, who walked in through the main entrance with an assistant and spent 30 to 40 minutes shopping and pushing her own cart, according to AP.

Ridgefield, Conn. — Spanish fast-fashion retail giant Zara has chosen Schimenti Construction Company to build its new flagship at 666 Fifth Avenue in Manhattan. The 39,000-sq.-ft. store is located in the former home of the NBA Store.

“We have begun the first phase (demolition and structural work) of the project which has included lowering the second floor to provide a higher ceiling and installing new steel beams,” said project executive Joseph Schimenti.

Phoenix -- Cole Real Estate Investments announced the formation of a joint venture with RED Development to focus on future acquisition opportunities, recapitalizations and note purchases in the retail real estate sector.