REAL ESTATE

Katy, Texas -- Houston-area sports retailer Academy Sports + Outdoors announced Tuesday that it will enter the Atlanta market with a new store opening on April 1.

The 70,000-sq.-ft. store is located in McDonough, and is the chain’s fourth store in Georgia.

Bentonville, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores announced Sunday that it will re-open 12 of its Seiyu stores in Japan, which were affected by the earthquake. A company spokesman added that the retailer is hoping to open the remaining 12 impacted stores as soon as possible.

Wal-Mart has 371 stores and 43 deli outlets in Japan, of which 24 were affected by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.

Of Wal-Mart's affected stores, two were severely hit and were completely covered by mud, according to the company.

Minneapolis -- Carlson Restaurants, parent of T.G.I. Friday’s, announced at a conference in Dallas last week that it plans to double the number of units globally under a program it is calling Ambition 2015.

"With the strength of our Friday's brand, our management team and our franchise partners, we are uniquely positioned to dramatically increase the footprint of our business," said Nick Shepherd, president and CEO of Carlson Restaurants.

Burlington, N.J. -- Purchase, N.Y.-based National Realty & Development Corp. said Monday it will expand Liberty Square Center in Burlington, N.J. The construction will take place over the next 12 months and is scheduled to be completed in spring 2012.

Chino Hills, Calif. -- The Shoppes at Chino Hills announced that it is adding Dillon’s Irish Pub & Grill, along with Dripp coffee boutique and ice shop, to its tenant lineup.

The new restaurants join P.F. Chang’s China Bistro, Chipotle Mexican Grill, California Pizza Kitchen, Yard House and Wood Ranch BBQ & Grill at the shopping center.

New York City -- TF Cornerstone said it recently signed a 15-year, 2,800-sq.-ft. lease with Potbelly Sandwich Shop at 2 Gold Street, a 650 unit luxury residential building.

The location is the chain’s first in New York. Potbelly joins existing tenants Pret-A-Manger, Goodburger and Hot Clay Oven.

Chicago -- Oakbrook Terrace, Ill.-based Mid-America Asset Management said that Dollar Tree recently signed a lease for 10,900 sq. ft. at West Aurora Plaza in West Aurora, Ill., a western suburb of Chicago.

The new store is slated to open this June in a former Aronson Furniture space.
 

Neptune Beach, Fla. -- Jacksonville, Fla.-based Regency Centers said it has started construction on an additional 9,100-sq.-ft. building at Seminole Shoppes, located in Neptune Beach, Fla., for six new side shops.

Leases have already been signed with Hurricane Grill & Wings for 2,940 sq. ft. and TCBY for 1,400 sq. ft. in the new building, slated for completion in late spring.