REAL ESTATE

Getting the lay of the landscaping
Gathering places and green spaces must be in the designs every new shopping center on the boards today. If you want people to come to a place to shop, you must first make them want to come to the place.
Convenience store chain in big expansion move
QuikTrip Corp. is expanding into two new markets. The convenience-store chain plans to open a total of 100 stores in the San Antonio and Austin (Texas) areas. Construction is expected to begin this winter, with the first locations scheduled to open in the summer of 2018. The expansion marks QuikTrip's first new market entry in six years. In 2011, the company launched its Carolinas division, adding 75 stores in Charlotte, North Carolina and Greenville, South Carolina.

Footwear retailer supersizes it with new format

Skechers has debuted a new store format in its largest mall location to date. The company has opened a 24,000-sq.-ft. outlet store at Ontario Mills, Ontario, California, that houses one of the widest assortments of Skechers products under one roof, with dedicated departments for the brand's various lifestyle and performance collections for men and women. The new Skechers Superstore also features a fun kids’ area, complete with a candy shop and a theater space screening Skechers cartoons.
‘Hipsterbia’ claims a piece of Williamsburg

It had to happen sooner or later. The hipster pioneers of Brooklyn’s greatest real estate reclamation project are having kids and leaving Williamsburg behind. Many of them have landed in the quaint riverside towns of Westchester County, a swath of land the New York Times has christened “Hipsterbia.”
Another online retailer tries on brick-and-mortar

An online thrift store that counts some 20 million users has opened its first-ever physical storefront. ThredUp has opened an outpost at Tanger Outlets, in San Marcos, Texas. The company plans to add four additional locations by year end. It is targeting traditional malls, outlet centers, and main street shopping districts nationwide.
Eight new tenants destined for Easton Town Center

More than 50,000 sq. ft. of new shopping opportunities will soon be presented to shoppers at Ohio’s most popular retail destination. Easton Town Center, which draws 21 million customer visits a year and houses more than 200 shopping and dining options is constantly in the process of re-curating its mix, and eight new tenants will open at the Columbus venue this year.
Lidl reveals more U.S. store openings; to build fourth DC

German discount grocer is expanding its presence and investment in the U.S. — on two fronts. On the heels of its first 10 stores opening in the U.S., Lidl is expanding with more locations. On July 13, the company will open two stores in Virginia (in Chesapeake and Culpeper) and two in North Carolina (Havelock and Wake Forest).
Westwood acquires Trader Joe’s center

Noting that necessity-based have proven to resistant to the pressures of online retailers, Westwood Co-CEO Randy Banchik announced his company’s acquisition of The Arbors at Mallard Creek in Charlotte. Purchase price was $25.1 million. “This asset boasts a variety of internet resistant tenants, insulating it from factors such as the rise of online shopping,” Blanchik said.
Sears debuts new store concept

Sears has opened a freestanding store concept dedicated to two of its strongest categories. Sears debuted its first store under the Sears Appliances & Mattresses banner, in Pharr, Texas. The format expands the concept of the Sears Appliance store, which opened in Ft. Collins, Colo. in 2016. The location has surpassed projections since its opening, Sears said.
Tenants fill new Publix center in North Carolina

The Southeast’s leading grocery chain will be opening a new center in the state where it has its least exposure, and leasing activity is brisk. Broker La Purser & Associates reported the signing of four tenants at a planned Publix-anchored center in Harrisburg, North Carolina. Smoothie King, Sports Clips, Avalon Spa & Nails, and dental office have committed to the 67,200-sq.-ft. Harris Square, set to open in 2018.