REAL ESTATE

The Shops at Metropolis under new ownership
Plainfield, Ind. -- Mid-America Real Estate Group announced that its corporate investment sales team recently brokered the sale of The Shops at Metropolis located in Plainfield, Indiana. Chicago-based Core Equities purchased the 131,195-sq.-ft. center anchored by Burlington Coat Factory and The Room Place.

Joe Girardi and Rick Drogosz of Mid-America Real Estate Corporation were the brokers in the transaction on behalf of Dallas-based Tabani Group.
Apple’s next-gen store design: Three early details
New York -- Apple is getting ready to unveil its next generation of store design — and the industry is already buzzing over the details.

Unfortunately, there aren’t many available — and the few that are don’t seem very revolutionary. What little specifics known about the store are based on remarks made by Rick Millitello, who presented the new store plan on behalf of Apple to the Germantown Design Review Commission for review. (And yes, it was approved.)

Here are three details:

Value-priced, organic specialty grocer entering Minnesota

Bloomington, Minn. -- A three-year old specialty grocer that plans 60 stores by 2019 is entering a new state.

Fresh Thyme Farmers Market will open its first Minnesota store, in Bloomington, on Sept. 30.

"Fresh Thyme is excited to open its first Minnesota store in Bloomington," said Fresh Thyme's CEO Chris Sherrell. "We love meeting new people in the communities we join, and we look forward to offering a shopping experience that encourages healthy and nutritious buying habits."
Now Trending: A Confusing Curriculum

“Now Trending” is an exclusive online series to chainstoreage.com, featuring trending topics that impact the retail real estate landscape.
RPAI increases presence in Seattle MSA to more than 1.2 million sq. ft.

Newcastle, Wash. -- Retail Properties of America announced that it has closed on the off-market acquisition of Coal Creek Marketplace, a 56,000 sq. ft. grocery-anchored center located in Newcastle, Washington for approximately $17.6 million. The center is currently 95% occupied and anchored by Quality Food Centers, a subsidiary of Kroger.
Macy’s opens the curtain on new off-price format

New York – Macy’s Inc. on Wednesday officially entered one of the industry’s fastest-growing store segments: off-price retail.

The company unveiled its newest banner, Macy’s Backstage, with the opening of three New York City -area stores, with locations in Brooklyn, Queens and Melville (on Long Island).
Online footwear brand steps out with first store

Los Angeles -- The latest online brand to try out brick-and-mortar is a women’s footwear and accessories retailer known for its on-trend styles and affordable prices.

Sole Society on Wednesday opened its first brick-and-mortar store, at Santa Monica Place, Santa Monica. California.
Celebrity chef to open restaurant at Edens’ Mosaic property

Washington, D.C. -- Edens announced that Mike Isabella, of Bravo TV’s “Top Chef” fame, will open his Kapnos Kouzina restaurant concept at Mosaic, Edens’ mixed-use development located in Fairfax County, Virginia. The restaurant is slated to open in early 2016.
New off-pricer making some noise

Louisville, Ky. -- A new off-price outlet concept that opened its first store in November 2014 is expanding.

Retail4LESS announced the opening of two new locations in Kentucky — one in Madisonville, and the second in Franklin — with both due to open in the late fall.

The opening of the two new stores will mark the first new stores for the off-price retailer since the launch of its inaugural location last year, in its home base of Louisville.
ICSC names new CEO

New York -- The International Council of Shopping Centers named a 26-year Deloitte veteran as the fourth individual to lead the global trade association in its 58-year history.

Thomas (Tom) McGee, currently vice chairman, Deloitte LLP, was appointed president and CEO of ICSC, effective Sept. 21. He succeeds current ICSC President and CEO, Michael P. Kercheval who announced his retirement earlier this year.