New Canaan, CT — Private equity firm Gridiron Capital, LLC, in partnership with QSI’s founder and existing management team, has acquired Quality Solutions, Inc.
Bohemia, NY — Empire Facilities Management Group has completed the acquisition of the maintenance and repair division of Lighting Elysium.
Atlanta — Ali Yadegari has joined Atlanta-based GreenbergFarrow as the director of retail design. Previously, he was with Bob Evans Farms, where he headed the firm’s remodeling program.
Atlanta — Regional general contractor Benning Construction Company has been selected to build the first Walmart Neighborhood Market in metro Atlanta.
Columbus, OH — DSW Inc. has opened its newest store on 34th Street in Manhattan’s fashion district. The retailer plans to open a second store on the Upper West Side early this summer.
San Francisco — Roses & Rye, a new web-driven footwear brand, has appointed Beverly Stern as strategic principal.
Jacksonville, FL — Stein Mart will open three new stores on March 15, located in Irvine, Calif., Suwanee, Ga., and Sunset Hills, Mo. This will bring the retailer’s total store count to 264.
Seattle — Outdoor retailer REI plans to open a store in San Antonio, Texas, in fall 2012 and its first Florida location in Jacksonville in spring 2013.
Plano, TX — J. C. Penney Company, Inc. has hired a new executive vice president of The Square, the retailer’s new in-store gathering place.
San Francisco — Continuing its international growth, Gap has opened its first stores in Panamá and plans to debut stores in three additional Latin American countries: Colombia, Uruguay and Peru.