Retail

LONG BEACH, CALIF. — Los Angeles-based Urban Commons has assumed a 66-year master lease of the historic Queen Mary, a retired cruise ship docked in the Long Beach Harbor. The developer plans to transform the cruise ship and surrounding area into a retail, dining and entertainment district. The multi-phased project, which is slated to take several years, will begin with upgrades to the ship that will debut in mid-2017. The second phase of development will include constructing a mix of retail, dining and entertainment options on the 45 acres of currently underutilized oceanfront land adjacent to the ship. Urban Commons will work with the City of Long Beach, the Queen Mary Land Development Task Force and community on the review and approval process for the 45-acre project. Garrison Investment Group LLC previously held the master lease.

SAN DIEGO — Dickey’s Barbecue Pit recently signed a 12-store development agreement with owner/operator Michael Tucker. Already the owner of the La Quinta Dickey’s location, Tucker’s agreement originally contained four stores, which are slated to open in Indio, Moreno Valley and Redlands, Calif. The new agreement adds eight stores to the existing deal. Tucker has extended the agreement with the barbecue brand to encompass the northern part of San Diego County, starting in Mira Mesa and extending north. He will also open a new location as far south as National City. Dickey’s Barbecue Pit now has more than 100 stores in California. The new stores will all be opened using Dickey’s new store model, complete with sustainable elements such as reclaimed wood throughout the dining room.