REAL ESTATE

New York -- Woolrich, the Pennsylvania-based outwear and lifestyle brand, has opened its first-ever freestanding store, in New York’s SoHo neighborhood. The move follows the recent opening of three Woolrich stores in Europe, including a store in Hamburg, Germany, and Prague.

Indianapolis - Hhgregg has redeveloped a store in Columbus, Ohio, with a new store format. Developed by real estate company Casto, the store opened Sept. 18, and employs 26 associates.

“Working with Casto to update the Sawmill location allows us to best serve our loyal Columbus-area customers,” said Dennis May, Hhgregg CEO. “Our best-in-class products and expert sales associates make this and our five other Columbus-area stores a destination for a superior appliance, furniture and electronics shopping experience.”

Hoffman Estates, Ill. – Kmart Corp. will close at least eight stores by the end of 2014 as part of broader cost-cutting moves by parent company Sears Holding Corp. Kmart spokespeople sent emails to media outlets in Michigan, Indiana and Iowa announcing that Kmart will close at least five stores in the Detroit area, two in the Indianapolis area and one in Ames, Iowa.

New York -- L.L. Bean plans to open a 29,000-sq.-ft. store in Mall of America, Bloomington, Minnesota, the Star-Tribune reported. It will be the Freeport, Maine-based retailer’s first ever location west of the Mississippi River.

The store will be an anchor tenant in the mall, taking over a former Bloomingdale’s location, the report said.
 

Dublin, Calif. – DD’s Discounts, a division of Ross Stores Inc. will open a new store in Las Vegas on Sept. 27. The store is located in the Winterwood Pavilion.

Including this new location, DD’s Discounts will operate 150 locations in 14 states and is on schedule to complete its expansion plan to open approximately 20 locations in 2014. Together, Ross Dress for Less and DD’s Discounts currently operate over 1,300 off-price apparel and home fashion stores in 33 states, the District of Columbia and Guam.

Hingham, Mass. – Fast-casual burger chain Wahlburgers has signed a three-restaurant franchise agreement in Las Vegas with Vegas American Hospitality Inc. Wahlburgers will debut in Las Vegas in early 2015 with the opening of its first restaurant at a location soon to be disclosed.  

Toronto -- One of the nation’s most venerable department store brands, Saks Fifth Avenue, has given a big boost to the retail revitalization of Lower Manhattan. Saks’ parent Hudson’s Bay Company has signed a lease with Brookfield Property Partners to open two stores in downtown Manhattan: a 85,000-sq.-ft. Saks Fifth Avenue store in Brookfield Place (formerly called the World Financial Center), and a 55,000-sq.-ft. Saks Off 5th store at One Liberty Plaza.

Indianapolis - Simon and Noble Investment Group, a real estate private equity firm, which specializes in the lodging and hospitality real estate sector, have launched a joint venture that will bring the AC Hotels by Marriott brand to Phipps Plaza, a luxury shopping destination located in Atlanta's Buckhead district.