REAL ESTATE

Last June, two organizations — Retail Industry Leaders Association and International Council of Shopping Centers — co-sponsored a sustainability initiative that ultimately would set the bar for landlord/tenant partnerships.

The last 14 months haven’t been without bumps. Forging positive, mutually beneficial programs that involve cooperation from shopping center owners and their retail tenants has long been one of this industry’s greatest — and most frustrating — challenges.

Peoria, Ill. -- Cullinan Properties announced that Kellie Schmidt has been named corporate marketing manager for the company, charged with overseeing Cullinan’s brand presence, in addition to creating and executing marketing and communication strategies.

Moorestown, N.J. -- Philadelphia-based Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust said that Crazy 8 will open its Moorestown Mall property, located in Moorestown, N.J.

The 2,505-sq.-ft. store is slated to open this fall in the 1 million-sq.-ft. enclosed regional mall anchored by Macy’s, Lord & Taylor, Sears and Boscov’s.
 

Dallas -- SRS Real Estate Partners announced that FreeBirds World Burrito has selected seven new locations slated to open in Central California later this year.
 
The seven sites in California are located in Sacramento, Tracy, Fresno, Clovis, Turlock, and two sites in Modesto, and all were acquired from Qdoba franchisee 4G Management. All locations will be converted to company owned and operated units and range from 2,000 sq. ft. to 4,000 sq. ft.
 

Peoria, Ill. -- Cullinan Properties, developer of the East Peoria Downtown shopping center, hosted a ceremonial ‘Steel Raising’ event last week to mark the development of the Peoria project.

Joining Target and Costco at the center will be Ulta Beauty with an 11,000-sq.-ft. store adjacent to Target, and Gordmans, which has leased a 50,000-sq.-ft. space slated to open in early 2013.

North Plainfield, N.J. -- Levin Management Corp. said that it has secured five new shopping center property assignments in recent weeks, reflecting continued demand for third-party retail real estate services in the New York/New Jersey and Pennsylvania markets.

The new assignments include leasing- and/or management-specific roles. They include: Olde Lafayette Village in Lafayette, N.J.; Whiting Town Center in Whiting, N.J.; Pathmark Plaza in Staten Island, N.Y.; Central Ave. in Scarsdale, N.Y.; and Atlantic Plaza in Pleasantville, N.J.
 

Riverside, Calif. -- Chicago-based General Growth Properties said that Australian brand Cotton On Kids has opened a store at Galleria at Tyler, located in Riverside, Calif.

The 3,185-sq.-ft. store is located on the lower level next to Helzberg Diamonds.
 

New York – A report by Women’s Wear Daily said that shapewear brand Spanx will launch a retail presence, with four store openings in the coming months.

Expanding its online and department-store presence, Spanx will open three standalone branded stores in October, according to WWD, located in Tysons Corner Center in McLean, Va.; Garden State Plaza in Paramus, N.J.; and King of Prussia Mall in Philadelphia.  A fourth store is slated to open at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson airport.