REAL ESTATE

First Look: Warby Parker, Nashville
Hip eyewear retailer Warby Parker continues to put down roots in Nashville.

Last year, the company opened a local corporate office in the city (its first outside of its New York City home base) and, more recently, opened a store at Nashville’s Edgehille Village. The storefront is open and provides full visibility into the interior. It is designed as an inviting outdoor space with native plants and landscaping.
Store closing sales have begun at iconic Kitson
Boston -- Gordon Brothers Group and Hilco Merchant Resources announced that the companies will be managing the stores closing process, which has begun, for Los Angeles-based, Kitson, at all 17 locations throughout California, Oregon, and Nevada. Sales are offering discounts of up to 50% on all of the fashion apparel, gifts and novelty merchandise. Store fixtures, furniture and equipment will also be available for sale.

Dealing With It

If there was a single theme at the recently concluded ICSC Deal Making Conference in New York City, it was “possibilities.” New projects, new ideas, new trends and a sense of optimism were on display.
Why stores matter more than ever

The demise of physical stores has become a familiar narrative during the holiday season, but nothing could be further from the truth according to one man better positioned than most to know.
Jordan’s Furniture outdoes itself with new store — and that’s saying a lot

Jordan’s Furniture has opened a massive store in New Haven, Connecticut, and this time the retailer is putting customers on the ropes — literally.

Jordan’s, known for its larger-than-life stores that combine retail with entertainment, pulled out all the stops for the 192,500-sq.-ft. location. Some 20,000 sq. ft. of the space is devoted to entertainment attractions that include an elaborate indoor rope course, a water show complete with light and sound effects, a pizzeria and ice cream counter.
Iconic Los Angeles retailer to shut down operations

A merchant that grew from a small boutique in West Hollywood with a celebrity clientele to a multi-store operation is going out of business.

Kitson announced that it is closing its 17 stores, which are located in California, Oregon and Nevada. As of December 11, its e-commerce site had already been shut down.
Report: Some Apple stores going more upscale

Angela Ahrendts, senior VP of retail for Apple and former CEO of Burberry, is taking a more luxe approach in some of the company’s retail stores. “The stores are the best physical manifestation of the brand,” Jan Dawson, an analyst at Jackdaw Research, told the New York Times. “Angela is bringing her sensibility to that experience.” [New York Times]
CBL completes sale of Mayfaire Community Center

Chattanooga, Tenn. -- CBL & Associates Properties announced that it has completed the sale of Mayfaire Community Center for $56.3 million to Principal Real Estate Investors.

Mayfaire Community Center is the 210,000-sq.-ft. center located in Wilmington, North Carolina, which CBL acquired in June of 2015. CBL will be providing leasing and management services for the new owners.
Wegmans breaks new ground — but not with a retail store

There is a new tourist attraction in Washington, D.C., and visitors have a retailer to thank.

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History has opened “Wegmans Wonderplace,” the first gallery on the National Mall tailored for the learning needs of children six and under. The space, made possible by a $1.5 million gift and in-kind donations from Wegmans Food Market, allows kids to “cook” in a kitchen inspired by Julia Child’s.
Ripco Real Estate’s New Jersey office continues to grow

Lyndhurst, N.J. -- Ripco Real Estate Corp. announced David Townes has joined its New Jersey office sales team. Prior to joining Ripco Townes worked at Welco Realty for five years where he represented a combination of landlords and retail tenants. One of his many strengths and areas of expertise includes assisting retailers looking to expand in the New Jersey and Rockland County, New York areas.