Tuesday, November 19, 2024
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Company NewsMississippiRetailSoutheast

Eldorado Resorts Reopens Three Casinos in Mississippi Today at Limited Capacity

by Alex Tostado

GREENVILLE, LULA AND VICKSBURG, MISS. — Eldorado Resorts Inc. has reopened Tropicana Greenville, Isle of Capri Lula and Lady Luck Vicksburg in Mississippi. Eldorado will limit the number of guests to no more than 50 percent of the property’s maximum occupancy, in accordance with Mississippi Gaming Commission regulations. The Reno, Nev.-based company temporarily closed the three casinos March 16 in accordance with the Commission’s orders to close casinos due to the COVID-19 outbreak. The properties reopened at 10 a.m. local time.

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Company NewsDistrict of ColumbiaHospitalitySoutheast

AHLA Releases ‘Roadmap’ for Hotel Industry Recovery, Calls on Congress to Provide Relief for Hotel Workers

by Alex Tostado

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) has released what it called a “Roadmap to Recovery” for the hotel sector in the United States. In the document, AHLA notes that the April jobs report issued by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) says the hotel industry was hit the hardest of any sector tracked, losing 7.7 million jobs. The AHLA wrote a letter on behalf of its members to the U.S. Congress urging it to prioritize hotel workers and small businesses during the next stimulus package and to provide immediate assistance in four areas: help hotels retain and rehire employees by extending the Paycheck Protection Program, (PPP) offering employees direct tuition assistance or tax credits and expanding the Employee Retention Credit; protect employees and guests through tax credits for cleaning equipment and personal protective equipment (PPE); keep hotel doors open by providing relief for hotel commercial mortgages and increasing the size and flexibility of PPP loans; and incentivize Americans to travel again when it’s safe with a new, temporary travel tax credit and restoring the entertainment business expense deduction. “The hospitality industry is in a fight for survival,” says Chip Rogers, president and CEO of Washington, D.C.-based …

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Company NewsRetailTexas

Pier 1 Imports Announces Intent to Close All Remaining Stores, Liquidate Assets

by Taylor Williams

FORT WORTH, TEXAS — Pier 1 Imports Inc. has filed a motion in U.S. Bankruptcy Court to begin the process of closing all of its remaining stores and liquidating its assets, including its intellectual property and e-commerce business, the Fort Worth-based home goods retailer said on Tuesday. Pier 1 closed about 450 stores in January and filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in mid-February prior to the outbreak of COVID-19. However, CEO Robert Riesbeck said in the statement that the pandemic had amplified the company’s struggles to restructure debt and secure investment that would keep the business afloat. Pier 1 intends to initiate store closing efforts and liquidation sales once stores can reopen, in compliance with COVID-19 guidelines from local government and health officials. Pier 1 was founded in 1962 and operated about 1,300 stores at the height of its expansion in 2006.

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ArkansasCompany NewsGeorgiaRetailSoutheast

Retailers Walmart, The Home Depot Report Increased Sales in First Quarter Despite Pandemic

by Alex Tostado

BENTONVILLE, ARK. AND ATLANTA — Retailers Walmart and The Home Depot have reported increased sales during their respective first quarters. Bentonville-based Walmart, which operates on a fiscal year calendar running from Feb. 1 to Jan. 31, reported a spike of 74 percent in its e-commerce department, and an overall growth of 10 percent. Walmart’s total revenue reached $136.4 billion, which was 8.6 percent higher than first-quarter 2019. The uptick from e-commerce was mostly due to grocery pick-up and delivery services. Additionally, overall sales for Sam’s Club was up 12 percent and e-commerce demand for the Walmart-owned brand jumped 40 percent. The Home Depot, which is based in Atlanta, reported sales reached $28.3 billion, which was 7.1 percent higher than its first-quarter 2019. The Home Depot’s fiscal year ends Feb. 2. Despite the increased sales, the company’s revenue dipped by $300 million from first-quarter 2019 due to expanded benefits for its employees. Some of the benefits include extra time off for hourly employees, more still for associates 65 years of age and older, doubled overtimes rate, weekly bonuses for hourly employees and extended dependent care benefits and waived related co-pays.

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Company NewsDistrict of ColumbiaMixed-UseSoutheast

Vogel Realty to Install New HVAC Systems in Historic D.C. Mixed-Use Building in Response to COVID-19 Concerns

by Alex Tostado

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Vogel Realty has voluntarily implemented plans to install new heating and air conditioning systems designed to minimize airborne viruses and bacteria at Chelsea Gardens in Washington, D.C. The 105-year-old mixed-use building has been closed since D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser announced stay-at-home orders for the District. Vogel Realty also plans to install handwashing stations and anti-microbial surfaces in the building before it can reopen on Saturday, May 30. The new HVAC systems will limit airflow between workspaces, bring more fresh air into units and neutralize viruses and bacteria. Chelsea Gardens was originally built as an office building in 1905 and was renovated 20 years ago to include retail and residential space.

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MassachusettsNortheast

Massachusetts Governor Begins Phase I of Reopening Select Businesses

by Alex Patton

BOSTON — Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker has begun a phased reopening plan for some businesses and services in the state, according to a public statement from the state administration on Monday, May 18. Phase I includes a staggered reopening of places of worship, manufacturing and construction sites and hospital preventative care centers. On May 25, personal services including hair salons, barbershops, pet grooming and car washes will be allowed to reopen, as will offices outside of the Boston area, laboratories, curbside retail, outdoor entertainment and daycare facilities. Offices in the Boston area will be permitted to reopen on June 1. Following the completion of Phase I, the state will evaluate the effect of reopening on the spread of the virus and will begin Phase II of the plan no earlier than June 8. Baker issued an executive order closing all nonessential businesses on March 23, which was later extended on April 28. As of May 18, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health reported more than 87,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state and nearly 5,900 deaths.

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RestaurantRetailTexas

Governor Abbott Gives Texas Bars Green Light to Reopen on Friday, May 22

by Taylor Williams

AUSTIN, TEXAS — Texas Gov. Greg Abbott released plans for the second phase of the state’s plan to reopen the economy at a press conference on Monday afternoon, notably giving bars the option to begin reopening on Friday, May 22. Under the terms of the plan, Texas bars, wine tasting rooms and craft breweries may initially reopen at 25 percent occupancy with regard to indoor seating only. In addition, childcare centers, youth clubs and bowling alleys may begin reopening this week as part of Phase II of the plan. Restaurants may increase their occupancy levels to 50 percent, and Texas public schools now have the option to conduct in-person summer school classes. The order stipulates that all of the above businesses must adhere to proper social distancing guidelines and minimum standard health protocols established by the Texas Department of State Health Services.

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MidwestRetailWisconsin

Kohl’s Reports 43.5 Percent Drop in Net Sales for First Quarter

by Kristin Harlow

MENOMONEE FALLS, WIS. — Kohl’s Corp. (NYSE: KSS) has reported a 43.5 percent decrease in its first-quarter net sales. The company’s fiscal first quarter ended May 2. The Menomonee Falls-based retailer has reopened about 50 percent of its stores across the country after stay-at-home orders have been lifted from COVID-19. Kohl’s says it has decreased planned capital expenditures by approximately $500 million as part of its financial response to COVID-19. The company operates roughly 1,160 stores across the U.S.

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MichiganMidwest

Michigan Governor Orders Partial Reopening of Upper Peninsula, Traverse City Regions

by Kristin Harlow

MICHIGAN — Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has signed an executive order to partially reopen the economies of the Upper Peninsula and Traverse City regions starting this Friday, May 22. Retail businesses, including bars and restaurants, will be able to open with 50 percent capacity. Some offices will also be allowed to open if the work can’t be done remotely. Cities, villages and townships may choose to take a more cautious approach if they choose because the order does not abridge their authority to restrict the operations of restaurants or bars.

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Market ReportsOfficeTexasTexas Market Reports

For Texas Office Owners, Understanding Best Operating Practices Is Critical Post-COVID-19

by Taylor Williams

By Cody Payne, senior vice president, Colliers International. As strong job growth over the past decade has brought more and more investors to Texas, many of these buyers have looked to office product due to the appealing going-in returns that the property type offers. In addition, many cross-product owners look at office investing to make higher returns outside of their current portfolios. As buyers look toward the office market, there are many factors that need to be considered before making an informed decision. Along with these basic considerations, the impacts of COVID-19 on real estate investing are also important to understand when looking at an office deal. The Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) market in particular has experienced an influx of cross-product buyers from other asset types such as retail, multifamily and self-storage during this cycle. The higher rate of return is the primary catalyst behind their motivation to purchase office investments. All asset classes are different and so are their opportunities, whether immediate or long-term. Understanding what sets office apart from other types of commercial investments is key to a successful operating strategy. Hidden Costs of Ownership  One important factor to consider when buying office properties is that there are many …

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