REAL ESTATE

Bethlehem, Pa. -- Peeps & Co. has opened its third store, in The Shoppes at Sands, next to the Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem, Bethlehem, Pa. The store offers an energy-filled environment immersing visitors in sight, sound and taste.

Peeps is the retail arm of candy-maker Just Born, whose brands include Peeps and Mike and Ike.

San Bernardino, Calif. -- Stater Bros. will open a new, eco-friendly supermarket in Lake Elsinore, Calif., on Feb. 22.

At 43,279 sq. ft., the new Stater Bros. is over 76% larger than a smaller Stater Bros. location it is replacing. The store features refrigerated display cases with LED lighting, ECM motors, and glass doors using 60% less energy. It also has lighting system that use dimming ballasts, energy efficient lamps, and occupancy sensors.

Other environmental features include:

Tarrytown, N.Y. -- DLC Management Corp. announced that it has named Jonathan Wigser as chief investment officer, charged with leading all of the company’s acquisition and disposition activities.

Since joining DLC in 2002, Wigser has been involved in the acquisition and disposition of more than $1.1 billion of retail real estate, in addition to raising more than $250 million of equity from institutional and high net worth investors.

New Albany, Ohio -- Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Mike Jeffries told analysts during a conference call Wednesday that the teen retailer would close 180 U.S. stores by 2015.

The chain will target underperforming locations for closure, and by shuttering them hopes to boost image and profits. Specific stores slated for closure have not yet been announced.

New York City -- Dallas-based SRS Real Estate Partners said that Blink Fitness has leased 15,830 sq. ft. at 800 St. Anns Avenue in Bronx, N.Y.

The new store is scheduled to open in second quarter 2012.

Pottsville, Pa. -- North Plainfield, N.J.-based Levin Management Corp. announced that Michaels Stores has leased 22,000 sq. ft. at Fairlane Village Mall in Pottsville, Pa.

Levin is the leasing and management agent for the property, which is owned by Ashok Mehra. Michaels’ commitment comes on the heels of a lease by Kohl’s Department Stores, reflecting momentum for the 405,000-sq.-ft. property.

Kohl’s will be opening its new 57,860-sq.-ft. store in early March.

New York City -- A retail real estate market report, issued by Savills US retail group, found that, even as recovery remains slow, a few formats are progressing at a faster clip than others.

According to Gerry Mason, head of Savills, the majority of recent and planned retail development is in the grocery-anchored and outlet center category. CBL & Associates and Tanger Outlets are among the most active developers scheduled to break ground in 2012.

Charleston, W.Va. -- Cleveland-based Forest City Enterprises announced that found new upscale women’s retailers have joined the company’s Charleston Town Center property, located in Charleston, W.Va.

White House | Black Market, Coach, Sephora and Francesca’s Collections will open spring 2012. The center will undergo an expansive renovation, incorporating aesthetic updates to both the interior and exterior of the property.