REAL ESTATE

Minneapolis -- Christopher & Banks announced the Oct. 6 grand opening of 37 stores that reflect the company’s updated retail strategy of bringing its plus-sized CJ Banks brand under the Christopher & Banks banner. The stores combine missy, petite and women's sizes in one shopping location.  

Dublin, Calif. - Ross Dress for Less will open two new stores in North Florida on Oct. 11. The stores are located in the Lakeland Park Center in Lakeland and Forest Lakes Plaza in Oldsmar.  

These new openings are part of the retailer’s 2014 expansion program, totaling approximately 75 new locations during the year.

New Orleans - Smoothie King Franchises Inc. has signed a five-store development agreement for Missouri with new franchisee Jackie Floyd. The smoothie chain currently has 21 locations in the state, including more than a dozen in the St. Louis area, with three additional stores planned to open in the market in 2014.

Phoenix -- Molly Busch has joined the Capital Markets group of commercial real estate firm CBRE Group Inc. in Phoenix. A senior associate, Busch will partner with VP Andrew Fosberg.

The duo focuses on investment sales with an emphasis in retail properties. Busch comes to CBRE from Grand Canyon University, where she was the director of marketing for athletics and fan development.

Dublin, Calif. -- Ross Dress for Less will open a new store in Colorado on Oct. 11. The store is located in Prairie Center in the community of Brighton, eight miles northwest of Denver.

This new opening is part of the retailer’s 2014 expansion program, totaling approximately 75 new locations during the year.

Seattle - Starbucks Corp. opens its first community store in Korea, located in the Daehakro neighborhood of Seoul, on Oct. 1. Thirty cents from every purchase at this store will go to Green Umbrella ChildFund Korea (GUCFK) to directly support lifelong skills development for youth through the Starbucks Comprehensive Youth Leadership Program.

Washington, D.C. -- Madison Marquette Retail Services (MMRS), a national real estate development, leasing and management firm specializing in infill, mixed-use, community and specialty retail properties, has named Lori Coleman VP, management services, California. In her new role, Coleman will oversee the company’s entire California portfolio, which includes 4.8 million sq. ft. across 18 properties.