All in the familia Pawnship courts hispanics and covets Blockbuster-vacated spaces Beth Karlin / Shopping Centers Today John Thedford wants to make pawnshops fashionable. Forget those seedy, caged storefronts manned by heartless lenders, as seen on TV or in the movies. Imagine instead a brightly lit, 8,000-square-foot store that stresses customer service. Better yet, when […]

Benderson close to moving ahead, but mall plan may need tweaking Kevin McQuaid / Sarasota Herald-Tribune After a four-year hiatus, Benderson Development Co. says it is close to relaunching its ambitious University Town Center mall — though perhaps without its partners or the luxury anchors once planned for the shopping hub. Although sales have improved, […]

Microsoft sets up shop today The software giant is opening its Galleria store today, offering high-tech experiences as it builds its brand David Kaplan / Houston Chronicle On Wednesday, a Microsoft Store employee stood in front of a 103-inch screen while co-workers watched. He was trying out the video game Michael Jackson Experience for Kinect. […]

Grandview Gets Pro-Active on the Future of Truman Corners Seann McAnally / Jackson County Advocate Is a new lease on life in store for Truman Corners? Grandview officials are getting aggressive about changing the city’s image and drawing new business to town. Specifically, officials are meeting with developers and retailers about breathing new life into […]