Retail

Retail Entrances, Expansions in Greater New England Follow Spoke-to-Hub Pattern

by Taylor Williams August 18, 2026

By Taylor Williams Ask a local retail broker or landlord to name tenants that are currently expanding aggressively in the greater Boston area and throughout New England as a whole, and odds are that “Ross Dress for Less” will come up within the first minute. Of course, the California-based discount retailer has been crushing it for some time now. Ross announced in mid-March that it had opened 17 new stores, including four under its dd’s Discounts brands, in the first quarter — openings that followed the rollout of 36 new stores last fall. According to USA Today, these new stores came as part of Ross’ broader plan to grow its store count by about 200 units over the course of 2025 and 2026. These new store openings included locations in New York and New Jersey, but at the time, that appeared to be the northbound extent of the expansion. Not surprising, given that the discount apparel market in New England has long been dominated by TJX Cos., the metro Boston-based parent company of both T.J. Maxx and Marshalls, with Burlington also routinely capturing a respectable share of that market. The fact that Boston proper was — and still is — …

August 18, 2026

Features Retail

More Than Shopping: How Retail Design Has Evolved Beyond Conveyance of Goods, Become Amenitized

by Taylor Williams August 18, 2026

By Randall Shearin With more food-and-beverage (F&B), outdoor spaces and entertainment uses prevailing, retail centers are being viewed by many consumers and communities more as a place to spend time than purchase goods. While goods and services may still be at the forefront of their function, many developers have taken their cues from resorts and parks to understand how to give consumers an experience worth paying for. “Retail developers increasingly recognize that consumers are seeking experiences that encourage longer visits and repeat trips,” says Neil Feaser, president of RKAA Architects. “Our response is to design projects that support multiple reasons to visit. The goal is to create destinations where shopping is one component of a broader experience that includes dining, recreation, social engagement and community interaction.” Over the past decade, retail design has continued to evolve as dining, entertainment and public spaces become more prevalent features. Programming — in the form of arts events, farmer’s markets, concerts and live entertainment — has also become a big part of the community attraction factor at many centers. These components have become just as important as retail to the draw of a center for many developers and communities. And with retail space at …

August 18, 2026

Acquisitions Retail Texas

Partners Capital Acquires 41,041 SF Shopping Center in McAllen, Texas

by Taylor Williams August 17, 2026

MCALLEN, TEXAS — Partners Capital, the investment arm of Partners Real Estate, has acquired a 41,041-square-foot shopping center in McAllen. Colonnade of McAllen was built in 2004 and was fully leased at the time of sale to a mix of service-oriented tenants. Andrew Pappas and Carson Grett led the transaction for Partners on an internal basis. Micha van Marcke of Edge Realty Partners represented the undisclosed seller.

August 17, 2026

Leasing Activity Massachusetts Northeast Retail

Trader Joe’s to Open New Grocery Store in Reading, Massachusetts

by Taylor Williams August 17, 2026

READING, MASS. — Trader Joe’s will open a new grocery store in Reading, a northern suburb of Boston, later this year. The square footage was not disclosed. The store will be located within The Crossing at Walkers Brook, a 480,000-square-foot shopping center that is also home to Jordan’s Furniture, Home Depot, Golf Galaxy, The Paper Store and Starbucks. Chris Mearn of District Real Estate Advisors represented Trader Joe’s in the lease negotiations. Regional owner-operator Wilder Cos. owns The Crossing at Walkers Brook.

August 17, 2026

Loans Maryland Retail Southeast

Northmarq Arranges $50.8M Loan for Grocery-Anchored Retail Center in Metro D.C.

by Abby Cox August 17, 2026

POTOMAC, MD. — Northmarq has arranged a $50.8 million permanent, fixed-rate loan for the refinancing of Potomac Place Shopping Center, an 80,040-square-foot retail center located in Potomac, roughly 15 miles northwest of downtown Washington, D.C. Originally constructed in 1967, Potomac Place is anchored by Safeway and features a tenant mix including Chipotle Mexican Grill, Starbucks Coffee, Mathnasium, Rose Home Services, Walgreens, PNC Bank and East West Tae Kwon Do. Jason Smith and Kenneth Gentzel of Northmarq arranged the loan through Nationwide Life Insurance Co. on behalf of the borrower, Zuckerman Gravely.

August 17, 2026

Idaho Leasing Activity Restaurant Retail Western

CenterCal Properties Signs Leases with Five New Tenants at The Village at Meridian Near Boise, Idaho

by Amy Works August 17, 2026

MERIDIAN, IDAHO — CenterCal Properties has signed leases with five new tenants at the second phase of The Village at Meridian, an 80,000-square-foot commercial property that is under construction roughly 10 miles west of downtown Boise. The new tenants are gastropub Culinary Dropout (7,000 square feet); fine-dining restaurant The Capital Grille; cookware and housewares retailer Williams Sonoma (5,550 square feet); Pottery Barn; and modern furniture brand 7th Avenue. Other tenants at the property will include Vuori, Alo, Kendra Scott, Tecovas, Gorjana, [solidcore] and Tempur-Pedic, along with Flower Child and Paris Baguette. Phase II, which is already fully leased and will span six buildings, is an expansion of The Village at Meridian, a 1 million-square-foot mixed-use development. Phase II is anticipated for completion in February 2027.

August 17, 2026

Development Midwest Mixed-Use Ohio Retail

Liberty Center Undergoes $20M Renovation in Suburban Cincinnati

by Kristin Harlow August 17, 2026

LIBERTY TOWNSHIP, OHIO — Liberty Center is undergoing more than $20 million in completed, ongoing and planned investments designed to support the mixed-use destination’s next phase of growth, including future hotel and residential development opportunities. Centennial, powered by Lincoln, is serving as the asset manager for the Apollo-owned property and is leading the execution of these initiatives. Plans for the 64-acre campus in Liberty Township include tenant upgrades, first-to-market entertainment concepts, customer experience enhancements and long-term initiatives to support the property’s evolution. Development approvals for a hotel and multifamily component were recently secured. Current plans envision 300 apartment units and a full-service hotel that would complement Liberty Center’s existing mix of retail, dining, entertainment and community gathering spaces. Events by Golden Chic will introduce professionally managed meeting, conference and private event venues at the property. The partnership brings turnkey event management to Sabin Hall, a 5,200-square-foot venue, and Unity Hall, creating new opportunities for corporate meetings, conferences, weddings, nonprofit galas, private celebrations and community events. Dick’s Sporting Goods is remodeling its space with interior upgrades and experiential House of Sport-style amenities such as batting cages and golf simulators. The retailer extended its lease for 10 years. B&B Theatres is upgrading …

August 17, 2026

Market Reports Retail Southeast Southeast Market Reports Tennessee

Redevelopment, Reinvestment Shape Memphis Retail Sector’s Next Chapter

by John Nelson August 17, 2026

For years, much of Memphis’ retail growth has been concentrated in the suburbs. More recently, however, redevelopment activity in East Memphis, Midtown and Downtown has created a new source of investment and retail demand. While suburban growth remains steady, some of the market’s most notable projects are occurring in established areas where older properties are being redeveloped and repositioned for new uses. As a result, some of the market’s most significant activity is occurring within existing commercial corridors rather than through large-scale retail expansion. Memphis remains a healthy retail market, although growth has become more measured than it was a few years ago. Retail vacancy is forecast to reach 5 percent in 2026, while average asking rents are projected to climb to $14.20 per square foot. New supply also remains relatively limited. After more than 400,000 square feet of retail space was delivered annually in both 2023 and 2024, just 250,000 square feet is forecast to come on line in 2026. Limited new supply has helped support rent growth across existing shopping centers. Some of the strongest examples of this trend can be found in Midtown, Downtown and East Memphis, where older sites are being transformed into new mixed-use developments. …

August 17, 2026

Acquisitions Louisiana Retail Southeast

SRS Real Estate Negotiates $8M Sale of Retail Center in Mandeville, Louisiana

by Abby Cox August 14, 2026

MANDEVILLE, LA. — SRS Real Estate Partners has negotiated the $8 million sale of Mandeville Marketplace, a 62,324-square-foot retail center located in Mandeville. Built in 1988 on six acres, the property was fully leased at the time of sale to five tenants including Altitude Trampoline Park and Crunch Fitness. Sabrina Sapienza and Chad Lieber of SRS Real Estate represented the seller, a Louisiana-based owner. Ben Stalter of Maestri-Murrell represented the buyer, a Louisiana-based private investor, in the transaction. Both parties requested anonymity.

August 14, 2026

Acquisitions Development Georgia Retail Southeast

Colliers Negotiates Sale of 30,865 SF Retail Center in Statesboro, Georgia

by Abby Cox August 14, 2026

STATESBORO, GA. — Colliers has negotiated the sale of University Station, a newly constructed, 30,865-square-foot retail center located near the Georgia Southern University campus in Statesboro. The center was fully leased at the time of sale to tenants including QDOBA, Hotworx, Eyemart Express, Uptown Cheapskate, Blaze Pizza and Oconee State Bank, among others. The property is part of a larger development surrounding the university that includes a recently developed Publix-anchored shopping center, new student housing projects and additional residences. Henry Kushner, Ashley Smith and Tyler Mouchet of Colliers represented the undisclosed seller in the transaction. Last Mile Investments purchased the property for an undisclosed price.

August 14, 2026

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