REAL ESTATE

Sparks, Md. -- Spice and flavoring company McCormick and Co. will open its first-ever retail location, McCormick World of Flavors, at Harborplace in Baltimore.

The 3,800-plus-sq.-ft. store will display McCormick’s full line-up of products along with interactive and educational displays. Visitors will be invited to chart their personal flavor profile and explore the origins of spices, among other activities. The space will also include a demonstration area where McCormick's own chefs and celebrity chefs will cook using McCormick flavors.

Canton, Mass. -- Dunkin' Donuts announced the signing of a multi-unit store development agreement with a newly formed subsidiary of Sizzling Platter, LLC (Sizzling Donuts, LLC) for 11 new restaurants in Denver, and eight in El Paso, Texas.

The company also acquired two additional existing restaurants in El Paso.
 

St. Louis -- Build-A-Bear Workshop will open a store in Sinai Hospital in Baltimore, Md., on Feb. 27. This will be the chain’s second store located inside a hospital.

“When kids are sick or injured, making a new furry friend is a great way to take their mind off of their treatment and a teddy bear hug can help them feel better,” said Maxine Clark, company founder and chief executive. “We’re proud that Build-A-Bear Workshop can bring teddy bear hugs and a positive experience to the children of Sinai Hospital.”

New York City -- Amazon plans to open a store in its Seattle hometown to display and sell its growing line of electronic devices, reported Reuters, which cited industry blog Good E-Reader as its source.

Analysts said Amazon could be inspired by the success of Apple in the retail arena.

Salt Lake City -- Bloomfield Hills, Mich.-based Taubman Co. said Tuesday that City Creek Center, a major shopping and dining destination, will open March 22 in Salt Lake City.

The 700,000-sq.-ft. regional attraction will feature Nordstrom, Macy’s and up to 80 stores and restaurants — one third that are new to the market. The center features a fully retractable skylight roof, a skybridge over Main Street and a host of water features.

Mississauga, Ontario -- Wal-Mart Stores isn’t about to let the grass grow under its feet in Canada. The discounter plans to spend about $753 million this fiscal year to expand its store presence in Canada, before rival Target Corp. begins its push in the country.

Dallas  -- The Container Store announced it will open six locations in 2012, making this the largest real estate growth year in the company's history and bringing the company's store count to 59 by year's end. 

The new stores will be located in Arlington, Texas;  Las Vegas; El Segundo, Calif., Peabody, Mass., and Westbury, N.Y., with a sixth location still being finalized.

Beachwood, Ohio -- Shopping center owner and manager DDR Corp. announced Monday the launch of FranchiseConnect, a new online platform connecting shopping centers, franchise opportunities and entrepreneurs.

FranchiseConnect is DDR's latest program designed to provide business opportunities to aspirational entrepreneurs. DDR recently launched Set Up Shop, a program offering flexible terms at specific locations for entrepreneurs and expanding small businesses.