 |
|
- Teriyaki Experience Restaurant Scouts Sites
(McClatchy-Tribune Information Services -- Unrestricted - October 6, 2008) Quick-serve Japanese dining could be on the menu in the Buffalo area early next year in as many as six locations. (full story)
- Chick-fil-A Eliminates Trans Fat
(The Atlanta Journal-Constitution - October 3, 2008) The announcement came the same day that Miami- based Burger King said it was cooking with trans- fat-free oils. All menu ingredients will have zero grams of artificial trans fat by Nov. 1, Burger King said. (full story)
- Huge Development Approved by Planning Commission
(The Bakersfield Californian - October 3, 2008) The Bakersfield Planning Commission voted 6-0 to approve the Bakersfield Gateway development along Highway 99 and Hosking Avenue. It would add 1 million square feet of commercial space, including a Bass Pro Shops, cinemas and restaurants. (full story)
- Select Best Buys to Offer Musical Instruments
(South Florida Sun-Sentinel - October 3, 2008) Consumer electronics giant Best Buy Co. Inc. is adding musical instruments to its entertainment repertoire at roughly 85 stores nationwide. (full story)
- Financial Crisis Hits the Mall
(Associated Press - October 2, 2008) Alarmed by the financial meltdown, stores nationwide are slapping sale signs on everything from fall sweaters to furniture - frantically trying to attract shoppers who are cutting back. (full story)
- Wal-Mart's Smaller Food Stores Take on Fresh & Easy
(McClatchy-Tribune Information Services -- Unrestricted - October 2, 2008) Unlike Fresh & Easy, Marketside doesn't carry many private label products, and the stores provide cashiers to ring customers up whereas Fresh & Easy has self-serve checkout stands with a nearby employee to assist. (full story)
- Rite Aid September Same Store Sales Up 1.7 Percent
(Business Wire - October 2, 2008) For the four weeks ended September 27, 2008, same store sales increased 1.7 percent over the prior- year period. Front-end same store sales were up 3.4 percent. (full story)
- Health Talks A Big Draw for Mall
(McClatchy-Tribune Information Services -- Unrestricted - October 2, 2008) At The Oaks shopping center in Thousand Oaks, community health education seminars are being presented twice a month by Los Robles Hospital and Medical Center in cooperation with the mall's owner. (full story)
- $5m 'Urban Shopping Center' Planned
(Lancaster New Era Lancaster, PA - October 2, 2008) What is envisioned is a community grocery store that would focus on fresh foods. It would be larger than the neighborhood's corner bodagas, but smaller than a supermarket. There would also be retail shops and a full-service restaurant/entertainment venue. (full story)
- American Girl Gets Dolled Up for Holidays
(Chicago Tribune - October 2, 2008) The two-level flagship is 40 percent bigger than its original store, which was the first in the nation when it opened in 1998 just down the street on Chicago Avenue. (full story)
- Outsourcing Aids Many Data Thefts
(Associated Press - October 1, 2008) The reliance of restaurant chains and retail stores on outside companies to handle credit-card processing and other information-technology functions is partly to blame for a rash of consumer data breaches over the last few years, according to data sleuths at Verizon Communications Inc. (full story)
- Fresh & Easy Opens Two More Stores in Arizona
(PR Newswire - October 1, 2008) Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market today opened its 25th and 26th locations in the Phoenix area. The grocer has announced plans for 37 locations throughout the Valley. (full story)
- Cedar Completes $77.7 Million Construction Financing For JV
(PR Newswire - October 1, 2008) The venture involves an estimated aggregate cost of approximately $105 million for development of a 655,000 sq. ft. shopping center on 108 acres. The property will feature a Target; other tenants with executed leases include Giant Stores, Inc. (Carlisle, PA), Best Buy, Staples, LA Fitness, Bed Bath & Beyond and others. Fameco is responsible for leasing of the project. (full story)
- Restaurants Take Credit Hit, But Leases Improve
(Associated Press - October 1, 2008) While the credit crunch is making it hard for some restaurant companies to get loans to build new locations and renovate old ones, other chains are using the slowdown to secure better terms from landlords struggling to find viable tenants. (full story)
- Bankruptcy Judge Approves Sale Plan for Boscov's
(Associated Press - October 1, 2008) A Delaware bankruptcy judge on Wednesday approved fast-tracked plans for an auction sale of Pennsylvania-based department store chain Boscov's later this month. (full story)
- Chipotle Pushes Sustainable Design Powered Wind and Sun
(Business Wire - October 1, 2008) In addition to a wind turbine which will generate about ten percent of the restaurant's electrical power, the free-standing restaurant will feature other "green" elements. (full story)
- Sammy's Woodfired Pizza Names Ladeki COO
(Business Wire - October 1, 2008) Dan Clay, former Senior Vice President of Houston's Restaurants, was appointed Chief Operating Officer for Sammy's Woodfired Pizza. (full story)
- The Bozzuto Group Begins Construction on Mixed-Use Development
(PR Newswire - October 1, 2008) The development will include a vibrant mix of 280 luxury apartments, 14,000U sq. ft. of street- level retail and dining and a 1,245 space parking garage. (full story)
- California to Require Restaurant Calorie Disclosure
(McClatchy-Tribune Information Services -- Unrestricted - October 1, 2008) In an effort to battle the bulge, California became the first state Tuesday to require chain restaurants to post the calorie content of menu items. (full story)
- Yum Brands to Add Calorie Info to Menu Boards
(Associated Press - October 1, 2008) The parent of KFC, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, Long John Silver's and A&W All-American Food said Wednesday it will voluntarily start placing product calorie information on menu boards at its company-owned U.S. restaurants. (full story)
- Bannister Mall Plan Delayed, Not Stalled
(The Kansas City Star, Mo. - September 30, 2008) Supporters of the Bannister Mall redevelopment plan remain optimistic the ambitious project remains on track despite a decision by a state agency to delay consideration of vital tax credits. (full story)
- Kohl's Opens 1,000th Store
(Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - September 30, 2008) Though the stores opened without fanfare Sunday, grand opening ceremonies are scheduled for Wednesday at all 46 stores. (full story)
- Whataburger Acquires Largest Franchisee
(PR Newswire - September 29, 2008) Whataburger Vice President of Franchise Development Clifton Rutledge will oversee the newly acquired restaurants, 24 in Northeast Texas and 23 in the Florida Panhandle. (full story)
- Saladworks Opens 100th Store
(PR Newswire - September 29, 2008) CEO John Scardapane stated "Saladworks will soon be a household name across the country as we continue our turbo-charged growth to 1,000 stores by 2012." (full story)
- Bealls Opens at Buffalo Ridge in The Villages
(Business Wire - September 29, 2008) This is Bealls' second location in the market but first location inside The Villages. This location also serves as the retailer's newest prototype. The only similarly designed store is in Bradenton, site of the company's headquarters. (full story)
- 'Black Friday' Escape Package
(PR Newswire - September 29, 2008) PGA National Resort & Spa in Palm Beach Gardens will make holiday shopping a breeze with a new "Black Friday Escape Package" that includes two nights of luxurious overnight accommodations, a $100 Gift Card for The Gardens Mall, twenty percent off services at The Spa at PGA National, free round trip transportation to The Gardens Mall and use of an exclusive VIP rest and recharge station while shopping at the Mall. (full story)
- The Bon-Ton Stores to Open in New Location in Wisconsin
(M2 Communications - September 29, 2008) The new 71,500 sq. ft. location is at 1645 N. Spring Street LLC, Beaver Dam and was formerly occupied by Wal-Mart in their Beaver Dam, Wisconsin Heritage Village Mall. (full story)
- Applbaum Named Marketing Chief Of RadioShack
(M2 Communications - September 29, 2008) Lee Applbaum formerly served as chief marketing officer for The Schottenstein Stores Corp. (full story)
- Baskin-Robbins Franchisee Plans Expansion in El Paso
(Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News - September 29, 2008) El Pasoans Grace Baray Hauser and her daughter, Vanessa Hauser Herrera, have signed a multi-unit development agreement to open at least three more stores and possibly as many as six in El Paso and Dona Ana County, the company announced. (full story)
- Toronto's First Green Mall
(McClatchy-Tribune Information Services -- Unrestricted - September 28, 2008) Gazit-Globe Ltd. subsidiary First Capital Realty Inc. has opened Toronto's first ecofriendly mall that complies with Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) criteria, the Morningside Crossing Shopping Center. (full story)
- Farmers Bet 'Green' Eatery Will Catch On
(Associated Press - September 28, 2008) North Dakota farmers have spent $6 million to open a pair of Washington restaurants, one just blocks from the White House, to showcase food from family farms. The newer eatery aims to be "Washington's greenest restaurant." (full story)
- Foreign Stores Get US Foothold in North Jersey Malls
(The Record, Bergen County, NJ - September 28, 2008) Foreign retailers looking to establish beachheads in the U.S. mall market have picked North Jersey as the perfect landing site. And shopping centers in North Jersey and elsewhere are welcoming these new tenants with open arms. (full story)
- Ordinance May Hinder Costco's Plans
(McClatchy-Tribune Information Services -- Unrestricted - September 26, 2008) Costco Wholesale is interested in building a store in Burnsville. But an ordinance requiring liquor stores in the city be a mile apart might be hampering their plans. (full story)
- $50 Million Deal Shows Confidence in Charlotte
(McClatchy-Tribune Information Services -- Unrestricted - September 26, 2008) The owners expect retail sales growth to moderate in the Charlotte market after five robust years, but they believe it will outpace the national average over the next five years. (full story)
- Publix to Open Two Shopping Complexes in Dothan
(Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News - September 26, 2008) A Montgomery-based development company is bringing Publix to Dothan along with two new shopping centers, according to the developer's Web site. (full story)
- New Grocery Store Coming to Aiken
(Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News - September 26, 2008) Construction has recently begun for an Aldi grocery store located on Whiskey Road in between Lowe's and Hobby Lobby. The grocery chain will open 100 new stores throughout the US this year. (full story)
- Tacoma Mall Unveils 100,000 sq. ft. Lifestyle Addition
(The News Tribune, Tacoma, Wash. - September 26, 2008) That addition to the '60s-vintage mall will add seven specialty stores, a new Nordstrom department store and a BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse to the mall's lineup of merchants (full story)
- Boscov's Sale Hearing Postponed
(The Tribune-Democrat, Johnstown, Pennsylvania - September 26, 2008) Philadelphia-based Versa Capital Management has emerged as the lead bidder for Reading-based Boscov's, which filed for Chapter 11 protection in August and announced that it would close 10 of its 49 stores. (full story)
- Officials OK Plan to Redevelop Mall
(Chicago Tribune - September 26, 2008) The Glen Ellyn Village Board this week approved plans to upgrade the Market Plaza shopping mall on Roosevelt Road in conjunction with plans for a new Staples office-supply store at the west end of the mall. (full story)
- Buffalo Wild Wings Buys Nine Franchised Restaurants
(M2 Communications - September 25, 2008) The company expects the transaction to be neutral to earnings in the fourth quarter and accretive to earnings in 2009. (full story)
- California Pizza Kitchen Opens New Restaurant in Guam
(M2 Communications - September 25, 2008) The new restaurant, opened by CPK franchise partner WDI Corporation, is located at the Holiday Resort & Spa Guam, in the heart of Tumon Bay. (full story)
- New Study Finds Dollar Signs Reduce Sales
(PR Newswire - September 25, 2008) An academic study by faculty members at The Culinary Institute of America (CIA) and the Cornell University School of Hotel Administration has found that restaurant customers spend more money when no dollar sign precedes prices on a menu. (full story)
- Luxury Retailers Find an Outlet
(Business Week Online - September 25, 2008) Even the most upscale shoppers are hunting for bargains. So luxury retail executives are taking their off-price operations out of the shadows and launching their most aggressive expansion plans in years. (full story)
- Market Gets Warm Welcome
(The Las Vegas Review-Journal - September 25, 2008) The new store is a Buy Low Market, which is one of the brands operated byAK.V. Mart Inc., a Southern California chain that has staked its first claim in Nevada. (full story)
- Elk Grove Promenade Developer Faces Financial Woes
(The Sacramento Bee, Calif. - September 25, 2008) The Elk Grove Promenade shopping mall, already delayed by the weak economy, might face another obstacle: significant financial troubles at the company developing the center. (full story)
- Raising Cane's Moving Corporate to Dallas
(The Dallas Morning News - September 25, 2008) Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers' headquarters and founder and owner Todd Graves will remain in Baton Rouge with a support staff of about 20. (full story)
- Shells Restaurant Seeks To Liquidate Assets
(Tampa Tribune, Fla. - September 25, 2008) Shells filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection Sept. 2 and shut eight of its 18 restaurants across Florida. At the time, the company said it expected to seek new funding to keep its 10 restaurants open. That now has changed. In its motion Wednesday to convert to a Chapter 7, Shells says it was unable to find new financing and was unable to find a buyer for its restaurants. (full story)
- KC to Vote on Citadel Plaza, Antioch Mall Projects
(McClatchy-Tribune Information Services -- Unrestricted - September 24, 2008) The Kansas City Council's Finance and Audit Committee gave the green light this morning to two key taxpayer-supported development projects that have been debated for years. (full story)
- Pizza Inn Reports Results for Fiscal Year 2008
(Primezone Media Network - September 24, 2008) Total comparable domestic restaurant sales increased 2.6% for fiscal 2008 and 1.8% for the fourth quarter compared to the prior fiscal year. (full story)
- Upscale Center on Bixby Line
(Tulsa World - September 24, 2008) "We're looking to make an upscale shopping center and cater to an underserved market,"Trey Hawes of Expert Cos., developer of Cornerstone Creek said. "The only upscale retail area that stands out now is Utica Square." (full story)
- RadioShack's New Store Operations Management Structure
(M2 Communications - September 24, 2008) The retail operations in the United States are now comprised of five areas, each of which is overseen by its own area vice president reporting to Bevin. Each area vice president directs the activities of five regional sales directors and a dedicated support staff. Each regional sales director is responsible for an average of 10 districts. Each district manager is responsible for approximately 15 to 20 stores. (full story)
- Pleasant Hill Shopping Center Makeover OK'd
(McClatchy-Tribune Information Services -- Unrestricted - September 24, 2008) A deal reached just before midnight Monday simultaneously wiped out a pair of lawsuits against the city and cleared the way for the long- stalled redevelopment of the southern half of the Crossroads Shopping Center. (full story)
- JC Penney Announces Two Store Openings in Texas
(M2 Communications - September 24, 2008) The company said that, with these two stores, it will have opened nine new stores in the greater Houston area since 2005. (full story)
- Crate and Barrel Opens First International Store in Toronto
(Canada NewsWire - September 24, 2008) Crate and Barrel will open the two-level, 35,000 sq. ft. store at Yorkdale Shopping Centre on September 25th, 2008. (full story)
- General Growth on Ban List for Short Sales
(The Las Vegas Review-Journal - September 24, 2008) Whether government protection from short sellers can reduce investor skepticism remains to be seen. On Monday, management announced vague plans to improve the outlook, including possible asset sales. (full story)
- New Mall Should Be Ready for Holiday Shoppers
(Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News - September 24, 2008) East Hills Shopping Center officials are closer to naming tenants and will be ready for the shopping season. (full story)
- Upscale Retail Development Planned Near Bixby
(McClatchy-Tribune Information Services -- Unrestricted - September 23, 2008) The massive retail growth along the Tulsa/Bixby border will get yet another new player soon, as plans for the 35-acre Cornerstone Creek project are well under way. (full story)
- Charlotte's First IKEA Names Manager
(McClatchy-Tribune Information Services -- Unrestricted - September 23, 2008) The 356,000 sq. ft. blue-and-yellow building, IKEA's first store in the Carolinas and 36th nationwide, is now under construction next to Interstate 85 in University City. (full story)
- Palm Beach Mall to Undergo Revitalization
(McClatchy-Tribune Information Services -- Unrestricted - September 23, 2008) The Palm Beach Mall opened 41 years ago as the largest enclosed shopping center in the Southeast. Patrons flocked there in search of trendy fashions at Jordan Marsh and offbeat gifts at the Barefoot Mailman. But today the West Palm Beach center is little more than an eyesore. (full story)
- Hurricane Makes Going Even Tougher for Landry's
(The Las Vegas Review-Journal - September 23, 2008) Hurricane Ike did an estimated $50 million to Landry's businesses in Galveston and Kemah, which were among the company's best-performing units. (full story)
|
|
