REAL ESTATE

Fast-growing VF Corp. to open 150 stores under various banners
New York -- Fast-growing VF Corp. continues its aggressive expansion. After opening 75 stores in the fourth quarter, the company plans to open a total of 150 stores this year.

VF, whose banners include Timberland, The North Face, Vans, Wrangler, Lee and Nautica, has long been known for selling products through other retailers. But in recent years it has stepped up its direct-to-consumer business via aggressive store expansion, and the channel is steadily accounting for a larger percentage of sales.
Whole Foods Market to open in Uptown Charlotte mixed-use development
Charlotte, N.C. -- Crescent Communities has unveiled plans for a mixed-use, transit-oriented development that will bring Uptown Charlotte its first Whole Foods Market. The company’s plans for the 5.4-acre site at the Lynx Light Rail’s Stonewall Station, in Charlotte, North Carolina, define a new model of urban living for the area and complement its Tryon Place mixed-use development to redefine the city’s Stonewall corridor.

Carter’s, Osh Kosh B’Gosh to open at Towne Centre at Laurel

Laurel, Md. -- Greenberg Gibbons announced that Carter’s and OshKosh B’Gosh are opening a combined store at Towne Centre at Laurel, the new $130 million destination on Route 1 in Laurel, Maryland.

Carter’s and OshKosh B’Gosh will open a 7,077-sq.-ft. store in April 2015.
Rascals Fitness to open at Collegeville Plaza

Philadelphia -- X Team International announced that partner MSC Retail has completed a lease transaction with Rascals Fitness in Collegeville, Pennsylvania.

Rascals Fitness will open a 12,183-sq.-ft. facility in Collegeville Plaza at the intersection of Main Street and 2nd Avenue. “We’re excited to have helped complete the lease for Rascals Fitness on their third location in Pennsylvania,” said Michael Salove, president and CEO of MSC Retail.
GNC plans 125 net new domestic stores in 2015

Pittsburgh - GNC Holdings Inc. is looking to 2015 as a year of expansion. The retailer plans to open 125 total net new domestic (including both company-owned and franchised stores) and retail segment locations, approximately 150 net new international franchise locations, and approximately 30 net new GNC-Rite Aid store-within-a-store locations.
SAS to open at The Village at Waugh Chapel

Gambrills, Md. -- Greenberg Gibbons announced that SAS is opening a new 2,596-sq.-ft. shoe store at The Village at Waugh Chapel, a mixed-use development in Gambrills, Maryland.

The new store is expected to open in March 2015, located next to Coldstone Creamery and Fuji Modern Asian Cuisine & Sushi Lounge. It joins Safeway, Chipotle, LA Fitness, Marshalls, Homegoods and more.
New concept, Stitch, offers high-quality alterations in boutique-like environment

Los Angeles -- Stitch, a new concept in clothing alterations and design services, has opened a flagship in West Hollywood, California, with plans to expand across the nation.

The store combines a comfortable atmosphere, quality tailoring, a fast turnaround and real-time text/email updates on garment progress. It also features a lounge decorated with for-sale paintings by local artists, and a rotating pop-up boutique with clothing for sale.
Simon names hotel exec as new senior VP of marketing

Indianapolis -- Simon announced that Krystal Zell has been named senior VP of marketing. In this newly created role, Zell will oversee the field marketing organization for all Simon Malls, The Mills and Simon Premium Outlets.

Zell served as VP of Starwood Preferred Guest at Starwood Hotels & Resorts where she led the loyalty strategy, business development and operations for its Starwood Preferred Guest and B2B loyalty programs.
Whole Foods Market continues expansion in Western Canada

Bellevue, Wash. -- Whole Foods Market announced its plans for continued expansion in Western Canada with three new locations: Greater Victoria, British Columbia; Edmonton, Alberta; and Calgary, Alberta.
Mid-America arranges sale of Lafayette Pavilions

Lafayette, Indiana -- Mid-America Real Estate Corporation’s Investment Sales team recently brokered the sale of Lafayette Pavilions Shopping Center located in Lafayette, Indiana. The 348,531-sq.-ft. regional shopping center was acquired by a real estate investment trust sponsored and managed by Phoenix-based Cole Capital for $54 million.

Lafayette Pavilions Shopping Center is located at the southwest corner of State Road 26 and Creasy Lane; it is anchored by Gordmans, Hobby Lobby, Gander Mountain, and TJ Maxx.