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Who’s Opening & Where
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Who’s Opening & WhereDel Taco (949-462-7431) recently signed 28 new franchise agreements that will take the chain into new markets in CO, NM and OR and expand its presence in AZ and CA. The franchisees’ plan is to build as many as 215 restaurants within the next three years. Of those units, 19 are under development and expected to open soon. The company currently operates and franchises 345 restaurants in 10 states.
St. Louis Bread Company (617-423-2100) plans to open a 4,000 sq.ft. franchised Panera Bread cafe at a former Alley Catz restaurant at Downtown Mall in Boulder, CO during June. The Panera Bread unit will be the first for the franchisee, who also owns four Wendy’s restaurants. Overall, St. Louis Bread Co. operates 190 units in 24 states trading as Panera Bread and St. Louis Bread Co.
Avon Products Inc. (212-282-5000) recently opened a 2,400 sq.ft. store at Lanier Plaza in Charlotte, NC. In addition to offering products in a retail setting, the sales and service center allows for Avon to train large groups of reps without renting meeting space. Avon could replicate the concept around the country. Last year, the company opened about 60 boutiques nationwide called Avon Beauty Centers in malls.
Stein Mart (904-346-1500) plans to open its fourth store in the Cincinnati, OH market during April. The 32,500 sq.ft. store will co-anchor Beckett Commons in West Chester with Kroger. The company, which sells clothing for men, women and children, as well as shoes, costume jewelry and home items, operates more than 205 stores in 28 states.
Burlington Coat Factory (609-387-7800) is expected to open a two-level, 83,000 sq.ft. store at Forest Fair Mall in Cincinnati, OH during November. The company is relocating from its present Kemper Road location. Forest Fair Mall is relocating a nightclub complex tenanted by Cheyenne Cattle Co., Bourbon Street, Bonzai Pipeline, After Shock, Rock-It Room and O’Malley’s Sports Pub & Grill to a space near the old Parisian to make room for Burlington Coat Factory.
Wal-Mart (501-273-4000) obtained approval to open a Supercenter as the anchor of Mulberry-Lemay Crossings, a 43-acre project in Fort Collins, CO. The local planning and zoning board approved plans; however, opponents may appeal the decision to Fort Collins City Council and it is uncertain how the city council might rule.The company also anticipates building three Supercenters in Houston, TX this year. In addition, the company plans to convert two existing stores in Houston to Supercenters and open a Sam’s Club.
Concept Restaurants (303-443-8424) plans to open three units this year -- one in Colorado, the others in the Midwest. The company expects to open a refined version of its Woody’s Woodfired Pizza restaurant in Broomfield, CO. The company leased space in a shopping center anchored by King Soopers and plans to open the restaurant during summer. Two Irish pubs, modeled after Boulder-based Connor O’Neill’s, will open elsewhere, and the company is scouting IN, OH and WI for locations.
Kohl’s (414-703-7000) is negotiating on a location in the Plum Grove development on US Highway 30 and Wolf Road in Mokena, IL.
Walgreens (847-940-2500) has been proposed for the site of a former Hughes Family Market located across the street from Ralph’s supermarket in South San Fernando, CA. Crown Realty and Development, the property owner, wants to build the 15,000 sq.ft. store on the 1.4-acre San Fernando Boulevard site. Crown, through subsidiaries, owns other property in the area, including the 75,000 sq. ft. Ralphs Grocery Center and the 20.5 acre former Menasco manufacturing site.
Consolidated Products, Inc., (317-633-4100) recently opened six Steak n Shake restaurants as part of its five-year objective to open 300 restaurants, of which 40 units are scheduled to open this year. The company currently operates 332 Steak n Shake restaurants, including 51 franchised, and 11 specialty restaurants, primarily trading as Colorado Steakhouses. Thirteen Steak n Shake restaurants are currently under construction. Two older under-performing company-owned Steak n Shake restaurants were closed subsequent to the end of the company’s first quarter on Dec. 22, 1999.
Gateway, Inc., (605-232-2000) plans to open 75 stores this year. The computer firm operates 227 retail stores in the United States. The company had earnings of $428 million in 1999, up 24 percent from 1998.
Lund Food Holdings Inc. (612-477-5803) may open a supermarket in downtown Minneapolis. The firm has sent a "letter of interest" to the Minneapolis Community Development Agency, indicating it plans to build a grocery store on one of three sites on Hennepin Avenue, south of 10th Street.
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