REAL ESTATE

Polaroid Fotobar to open seven mini-stores in Westfield malls in California
Boca Raton, Fla. -- Polaroid Fotobar will open seven “micro-retail” locations in select Westfield Malls throughout California. The 300-sq.-ft. spaces will offer services and products that allows shoppers to turn their digital images into physical prints and framed pieces of art.
Marcus & Millichap names senior director of National Retail Group
St. Louis --Marcus & Millichap announced that Brett Chetek has rejoined the firm as senior director of the National Retail Group in the firm’s St. Louis office.

Winick completes a pair of retail leases at PowerHouse Condominium

New York -- Winick Realty Group has secured two retail leases at the base of the 177-unit PowerHouse Condominium, located at 50-09 Second Street in Long Island City, N.Y. The 6,422-square-foot space, which landlord V Partners refurbished following Hurricane Sandy-related flooding, was divided to accommodate incoming tenant Tiger J Taekwondo and an expansion by existing building tenant Brighter Babies.
Vaughan Mills opens 50-store expansion

Toronto, Canada - An $87 million, 200,000-sq.-ft., 50-store expansion has been opened to the public at Vaughan Mills Shopping Centre, operated by Ivanhoe Cambridge. The expansion on the east side of the property features an Event Court, a digital lounge and a Sport Neighborhood.
Cohen Commercial completes refinancing of Buttermilk Crossing

New York -- Cohen Commercial Properties has completed an $8.65 million refinancing of Buttermilk Crossing, located in Crescent Springs, Ky. The 94%-occupied, 78,012-sq.-ft. shopping center is located immediately off of Interstate 71/75. Tenants include Staples, Outback Steakhouse, Petco and The UPS Store.
Vermont’s first Walmart Supercenter opens at Berlin Mall

Berlin, Vt. -- The Berlin Mall, in Berlin, Vt., hosted the grand opening of the state’s first Walmart Supercenter on Wednesday. The location was previously a 65,000+-sq.-ft. Walmart store that added 26,200 sq. ft. and full-line grocery offerings to bring the retailer’s first supercenter to Vermont.
Levin Management inks three dozen retail leases in 4 months
Modell’s Sporting Goods celebrates 125 years with new store opening

New York -- Modell’s Sporting Goods will celebrate 125 years in business with the grand opening of its newest location at 1019 Montauk Highway in Shirley, Long Island, bringing the sporting goods chain’s total to 157 storefronts. The 14,000-sq.-ft. Southport Shopping Center location will officially open on Thursday, Oct. 23 with a ribbon cutting by president and CEO Mitchell Modell and area officials.
Retail Properties of America receives investment grade rating from S&P

Oak Brook, Ill. -- Retail Properties of America, Inc. announced that it was assigned a BBB-corporate credit rating from Standard and Poor’s Ratings Services with a stable outlook. S&P indicated in its announcement that the rating reflects RPAI’s measured investment and operating strategy, and strengthening portfolio fundamentals.
Construction complete on Azalea Regional Shopping Center

South Gate, Calif. -- Construction on the Nadel-designed Azalea Regional Shopping Center is now complete, bringing a new 32-acre retail hub to the city of South Gate, Calif. Located at 4635 Firestone Blvd., and owned by Primestor Development, Inc., the project includes more than 370,000 sq. ft. of retail space and 37 stores.