REAL ESTATE

New York -- Washington, D.C. ranks as the nation’s hottest retail market, followed by Greater New York City, a leading developer told Chain Store Age in an exclusive video interview.

To see the interview with Inland Real Estate Group vice chairman Joe Cosenza, click here.

Cincinnati -- Cobb Theatres’ CineBistro will co-anchor Cincinnati’s 1.1 million-sq.-ft. Liberty Center with Dillard's, according to center developers Steiner + Associates and Bucksbaum Retail Properties. The developers plan to announce a third anchor in coming weeks.

CineBistro was recently named as “one of eight theatres redefining the movie-going experience” by Entertainment Weekly.

City of Industry, Calif. -- Private equity outfit Sycamore Partners said Thursday it has completed its previously announced acquisition of Hot Topic, valued at about $600 million and returning the Hot Topic namesake stores and the Torrid banner to the private sector.

"Hot Topic and Torrid are both leaders in their categories, and we are excited to have both brands as part of our portfolio," said Stefan Kaluzny, managing director of Sycamore Partners.  

Tucson -- Lifetime Martial Arts #1 is relocating Karate 4 Kids Martial Arts to Plaza Del Oro Shopping Center. The new location will open in mid-June.

Commercial Retail Advisors represented the tenant and CBRE represented the shopping center.
 

Green Bay, Wis. – Shopko intends to open five  stores under its Shopko Hometown banner in Afton, Wyo., St. Peter, Minn., and Winneconne, Ellsworth and Tomahawk, Wis., in late fall of this year.

The Shopko Hometown format is designed to serve smaller rural communities with the same product assortments available in larger areas and Shopko currently operates more than 180 stores in this format.

Montreal -- Canadian jewelery retailer Birks will introduce a new retail concept in the summer of 2013, with new stores opening in DIX30 Complex, Brossard, Quebec, and in the new Mapleview Mall in Burlington, Ontario.

The new format, developed in collaboration with Sid Lee Architecture, will feature round 1,500 sq. ft. of retail space and be dedicated to jewelry from the Birks Collection.

Miami -- Marcus & Millichap Real Estate Investment Services has promoted Ronnie Issenberg to associate VP investments.

Director of the firm’s National Retail Group, Issenberg most recently held the title of senior associate.

MISSISSAUGA, Ont. -- Target announced that its first 24 store locations in Ontario (Canada) have been awarded LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) certification. As previously announced, the discounter is seeking LEED certification for all 124 stores scheduled to open in Canada this year.