Latham, N.Y. and Orlando, Fla. — DWM Comprehensive Facility Solutions has promoted three key employees. These moves reinforce DWM’s commitment to employee and client development. Amy Mason, a 4-year veteran of DWM, was promoted to strategic account manager. In her new role, Mason will be responsible for the strategic oversight and growth of a portfolio of DWM’s mature accounts. Mason held the role of associate account manager prior to her promotion. Alexandra Meleco, also a 4-year veteran of DWM, will fill the role of associate account manager. She joined DWM …
— By Ted Stouch — Parking area liability: are you vulnerable? In a retail or restaurant setting, a dark and foreboding parking lot or garage is a business owners’ worst nightmare. While a perfect setting for a horror movie, in real life, an unlit or poorly lit parking area is a recipe for disaster. Assault, robbery, rape and even murder are a few of the rampant occurrences plaguing parking areas across the U.S. They have low lighting, shadowy expanses and distractions, which make for a tempting invitation for criminals. According …
Los Angeles — Forever 21, Inc., and its U.S. subsidiaries have filed for voluntary Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The company’s Canadian subsidiary also has filed for bankruptcy protection. Forever 21 plans to facilitate a global restructuring that will allow it to focus on a profitable core part of its operations. As part of its restructuring strategy, the company plans to exit most of its international locations in Asia and Europe, but will continue operations in Mexico and Latin America. “This was an important and necessary step to secure the future of …
Cape Coral, Fla. — Creighton Construction & Development has broken ground on the future site of Lucky’s Market, a natural foods grocer that offers affordable options for everyday foods and specialty choices, that is coming to Cape Coral, Fla. The first Lucky’s Market to open in Lee County will be located at 2615 Santa Barbara Blvd. in Cape Coral. Positioned at the southeast corner of Veterans Parkway and Santa Barbara Boulevard, the new anchor tenant will be 30,200 square feet. Lucky’s is a national natural grocer founded in 2003 that …
Philadelphia — Architetra p.c., an architectural firm based in Paoli, Pa., is the architect of record for Sedona Taphouse in Phoenixville, Pa., the first Pennsylvania location for the growing franchise. “Architetra thoughtfully designed dining, bar and patio areas that create a seamless and transportive experience so that guests can escape and enjoy the ambiance while dining on the fresh, seasonal and farm-raised food and craft beers for which Sedona Taphouse is best known,” says David Trout, an operating partner with Sedona Taphouse, which currently has 13 locations. Trout and co-owner …
Dallas — Centennial, a fully integrated real estate investment firm with a national portfolio of shopping, dining, entertainment and mixed-use destinations, has broken ground on a transformative redevelopment of Hawthorn Mall, a super-regional shopping center in Vernon Hills, Ill. Since it opened in 1973, Hawthorn Mall has operated as an enclosed structure without the outdoor shopping and entertainment elements incorporated into today’s more modern and vibrant lifestyle centers. Through a significant redevelopment of the center’s former Sears and Carson’s sites, the development of additional outparcels, and updates to the existing …
Atlanta and Champaign, Ill. — Inspire Brands Inc., the parent company of Arby’s, has agreed to acquire Jimmy John’s Gourmet Sandwiches. Terms of the transaction, expected to close by the end of October, were not disclosed. The Jimmy John’s board of directors, including founder and chairman Jimmy John Liautaud, unanimously approved the agreement. Jimmy John’s had $2.15 billion in U.S. sales last year across 2,803 stores, a roughly 50% increase in both sales and locations since 2013, according to The Wall Street Journal. Jimmy John’s, based in Champaign, Ill., opened …
San Francisco — Gap Inc. has appointed Mary Beth Laughton as president and chief executive officer of Athleta. Laughton will begin her new role in late October and will serve on Gap Inc.’s senior leadership team reporting to president and chief executive officer Art Peck. She joins Gap from Sephora. “Mary Beth brings a strong background in digital operations, a keen understanding of customers and an ability to deliver innovative experiences,” says Peck. “She is the right leader for Athleta, with a proven track record in driving consistent results in …
Tampa, Fla. — States along the Atlantic coast experienced Hurricane Dorian’s force in early September after the storm lingered over the Bahamas and skirted along the east coast of Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina. While the 2019 Atlantic hurricane season is barely more than halfway through, there have already been two hurricanes and seven named storms. The MaintenX Disaster Recovery and Rapid Response Team knows that storms of all sizes can cause major damage to facilities, and it is very willing to share hurricane preparedness best practices with …
Evansville, Ind. — Shoe Carnival, Inc., a leading retailer of moderately priced footwear and accessories, has made several executive appointments to support its ongoing customer-centric business transformation. Cliff Sifford, in addition to continuing to serve as CEO, also assumed the role of vice chairman of the board of directors. He has relinquished the president title. Sifford has been employed by the company for 22 years and has been president, CEO and a director since October 2012. Mark Worden, previously Shoe Carnival’s executive vice president – chief strategy and marketing officer, …