REAL ESTATE

Retail Rap: Shacking Up
The end of a retail icon is always big news in commercial real estate, and it’s particularly relevant when the brand in question is closing more than 4,000 stores around the country.
Pirch enters the Northeast, opens 20,000-sq.-ft. store at Garden State Plaza
New York -- High-end home appliances and outfitting retailer Pirch will open its first store in the Northeast, at Garden State Plaza in Paramus, New Jersey, on March 28.

The 20,000-sq.-ft. store, the company’s eighth to date, allows shoppers to "test-drive" a carefully-curated collection of premier kitchen, bath, laundry, and outdoor living brands in a highly interactive and sensory environment.

Papa Murphy’s plans Southeast expansion

Vancouver, Wash. – Pizza retailer Papa Murphy's Holdings Inc. plans to strengthen and grow its presence in the Southeast.

The company, which currently has more than 1,400 locations in 38 states, recently completed acquisitions of existing Papa Murphy's franchise stores in Jacksonville, Forida, as a springboard for further expansion throughout the Southeast.
Exclusive: A look at Quay Valley

By Roy Higgs
The Melting Pot goes global with Indonesia location

Tampa, Fla. – The Melting Pot Restaurants Inc. has opened its first restaurant outside of North America in Jakarta, Indonesia. The latest opening comes on the heels of the company announcing its plans for continued international expansion.

The Melting Pot is on track to open its first restaurants in Dubai, United Arab Emirates and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia later in 2015, as well as its fourth location in Mexico City, Mexico.
McAlister’s Deli sees rising Phoenix franchise opportunity

Alpharetta, Ga. - McAlister's Deli is targeting Phoenix for franchise growth. The fast-casual dining chain is seeking experienced multi-unit restaurant operators to help expand McAlister's presence in the market through multi-unit development agreements in areas such as Mesa, Tempe, Chandler, Gilbert, Glendale and Goodyear.
Bob’s Discount Furniture to open at former Fortunoff building

Paramus, N.J. -- Ripco Real Estate has leased the former Fortunoff Building at 150 Route 17 northbound in Paramus, New Jersey, to Bob’s Discount Furniture.

Without a permanent tenant since July 2009, Ripco was hired in mid-October 2014 to lease the property. Five months later, through the efforts of Ripco’s New Jersey team, lead by Ira Kerner and Alison Horbach, the landlord has executed a lease with the discount retailer.
Starbucks to open 3,500 stores across Americas; unveiling new Express format

Seattle -- Starbucks Corp. remains highly bullish on expansion. In remarks at the company’s annual shareholders meeting, the coffee giant revealed that over the next five years it plans to open 3,500 locations in its Americas region and 8,000 new stores in foreign markets. And just in case you were wondering … Starbucks noted that Shanghai has more Starbucks stores than any other city in the world in which it operates.
Vertical construction set to begin on Celebration Point, in Gainesville, Fla.

Gainesville, Fla. -- The developer of Celebration Pointe, a 225-acre mixed-used regional development located in Gainesville, Florida announced that its work on the public infrastructure improvement phase of the $200 million project is on schedule. Celebration Pointe partner Ralph Conti made the announcement.
Simon brings back ‘Lookbook Live'

Indianapolis - Simon is bringing back “Lookbook Live,” a joint fashion program in collaboration with Glamour and GQ magazines. Lookbook Live includes print, digital, social media, and live events, for spring and fall 2015.