REAL ESTATE

Chicago -- The U.S. restaurant count increased by less than 1% from a year ago, reaching a total of 633,043 units, according to a recent restaurant census conducted by The NPD Group. Restaurant units increased by 4,179, or 0.7% over last year, based on NPD’s Fall 2013 ReCount, which is a count of commercial restaurant locations in the United States compiled in the spring and fall each year.
 

Dallas — SRS Real Estate Partners has hired Michael Straus as an associate in the Chicago office. Straus will focus on tenant and landlord representation as well as new business development.

He brings more than 15 years of managerial and sales experience to SRS. Prior to signing on with SRS, he worked for Student Transportation of America where he oversaw all aspects of operations and managed more than 1,100 employees across the Midwest. He managed sales and contract negotiations, lease renewals, development and acquisitions.

Fort Worth, Texas — Trademark Property Co. has announced multi-year leases for seven new tenants soon to open in Alliance Town Center in North Fort Worth, Texas.

Chicago — Aurelio’s Pizza has leased a 5,163-sq.-ft. store at 1212 South Michigan Avenue in Chicago. It will become Aurelio’s flagship location and first corporate-owned restaurant in downtown Chicago.

RKF’s Chicago office represented the landlord on the long-term lease. Baum Realty represented Aurelio’s.

Purchase, N.Y. — KicksUSA, a regional retailer offering athletic footwear and family apparel, has opened a 4,600-sq.-ft. store at CooperTowne Center in Somerdale, N.J., according to National Realty & Development Corp., the owner of the center.

Wal-Mart Supercenter, Cinemark Theatres and LA Fitness anchor CooperTowne Center.

Seattle – Starbucks is expanding its Evolution Fresh cold-pressed juice to more than 360 corporate stores in the Chicago and greater Midwest areas. This brings the total number of Starbucks locations and grocery stores offering Evolution Fresh products to more than 9,000 across the U.S.

Chicago — Two new Whole Foods Market grocery stores will be coming to Shops on Main and Hinsdale Lake Commons, according to Regency Centers, the owner of both centers.

Longmont, Colo. — NewMark Merrill Mountain States has taken possession of the Dillard’s building at the former Twin Peaks Mall, a key step in the redevelopment of the center as the Village at the Peaks shopping center.

Demolition of the old Twin Peaks Mall is set to begin early in the summer of 2014, paving the way for the new shopping destination, Village at the Peaks, to open in 2015.