University Town Center likely to get Cheesecake Factory Justine Griffin/Sarasota Herald-Tribune In a sign of the caliber of tenants that the developers of the Mall at University Town Center are working to lure, The Cheesecake Factory has tentatively committed to be one of several restaurants at the upscale shopping center when it opens in October […]

Steele Fitness and Under Armour to open co-branded stores Thomas Lee/Minneapolis Star Tribune Steele Fitness is strapping on its Under Armour. The Golden Valley-based chain of upscale fitness centers recently signed a deal with athletic wear maker Under Armour to open a retail store in Edina. The 2,500-square-foot store at 50th and France Avenue, to […]

Retailers take steps to compete in changing market Justine Griffin/Sarasota Herald-Tribune For decades, Southwest Florida shoppers have been limited to a few concentrated options: the Southgate, Sarasota Square and DeSoto Square malls, Main Street in Sarasota, St. Armands Circle and the lengthy stretch of Tamiami Trail. But during the past five years, a shift has […]

Tampa Saks to close in 2 weeks Justine Griffin/Sarasota Herald-Tribune Saks Fifth Avenue will close its WestShore Plaza store in Tampa in two weeks, a move that will elevate the importance of the luxury chain’s Sarasota store among Southwest Florida shoppers. The store closing, on May 4, also means the Sarasota store in Southgate Mall […]

Outlet mall on Tulalip Reservation expands Amy Martinez/The Seattle Times The recession brought to a near-standstill all but one segment of shopping-center development in the past few years: the outlet mall. While developers shelved plans for new full-price shopping centers amid a sharp downturn in U.S. discretionary spending, some stepped up the pace of construction […]

Dollar Stores Should Continue to Thrive, But Growth Will Slow Down Elaine Misonzhnik/National Real Estate Investor The recession may be over, but one of its legacies—the popularity of dollar stores—is here to stay, according to retail industry insiders. In spite of slightly decelerating same-store sales growth, dollar stores should remain a viable alternative to discount […]