construction and design

Houston — Eyemart Express, one of the nation’s largest optical retailers, is entering the Greater Houston market for the first time, with a store opening in Conroe, Texas, on Sept. 8. This is the first of four stores the company will open in the area by year’s end. The Houston openings build on Eyemart Express’ established presence across Texas, where the company already operates 42 stores. Each new location will hire a team of opticians, lab technicians and retail associates. Eyemart Express operates a lens lab inside every store, along …

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— Interview with Sean Gillespie — R&R: Where are you based? How long have you been in business? Sean Gillespie: We are headquartered in Villa Rica, Georgia, approximately 30 miles west of Atlanta. We have divisional offices in Destin/Ft. Walton, Florida; Dallas/Ft. Worth, Texas; Orlando, Florida; Savannah, Georgia; and Tampa, Florida, and have been in business since 1995. R&R: What is your title, and how long have you been with HCC? Gillespie: Director | Strategic Alliances/Marketing and I’ve been with HCC for 8 years. R&R: What trades/services do you offer …

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Chicago — Parts Town Unlimited, a global leader in the high-tech distribution of genuine OEM (original equipment manufacturer) parts for commercial foodservice, residential appliances and HVAC equipment, has signed a full building lease in Pendergrass, Ga. Parts Town Unlimited will occupy the 538,450-square-foot facility by the end of this year. The new facility will expand the company’s global fulfillment network to the Southeast, joining existing global fulfillment centers in Chicago, Phoenix and Munich (Germany). Additionally, this facility is the company’s first LEED-certified global fulfillment center. LEED is a globally recognized …

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Oak Brook, Ill. — Ace Hardware, the world’s largest hardware cooperative, has marked its 100th new store opening of 2026 and remains on pace to open more than 170 new stores by year-end. The growth reflects strong demand from existing Ace retailers expanding their businesses, independent operators converting to the Ace brand and new entrepreneurs joining the cooperative. “There is a special pride that comes with owning an Ace Hardware store because a great hardware store is more than a place to buy products. It’s part of the fabric of …

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Detroit — Little Caesars®, the third-largest pizza chain in the world, is building on its commitment to serving military communities with four new locations planned across U.S. Navy installations. The expansion follows the brand’s first military base opening at Pearl Harbor in 2025 and marks another step in its continued non-traditional growth. “Military communities are an important part of Little Caesars and our commitment to supporting those who serve,” says Sally Rampersad, director of non-traditional and development services for Little Caesars. “Since 2006, the Little Caesars Veterans program has helped …

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Carnesville, Ga. — Walmart, Inc. plans to build a high-tech, next-generation fulfillment center in Carnesville, Ga., creating 1,000 new jobs and bringing $1.3 billion in investment to Franklin County. The new 1.5 million-square-foot automated facility will be located at the Franklin 85 Logistics Center in Carnesville. Walmart’s next-generation fulfillment centers are located in strategic markets to expand same-day and next-day shipping capabilities across the United States. Construction is expected to begin in late 2026. “This massive investment from Walmart in a rural part of our state will not only create …

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St. Petersburg, Fla. — WOWorks, the parent company of better-for-you restaurant brands Saladworks, Frutta Bowls, Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh, The Simple Greek, Barberitos and Zoup! Eatery, has opened 23 new restaurants so far this year, with 15 additional locations currently in development. This brings WOWorks’ total footprint to nearly 240 restaurants nationwide and puts the company on pace for nearly 40 new stores by year’s end. New restaurants have launched across the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic and Southeast — including Ohio, Missouri, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Florida, Alabama, Virginia, Georgia and Texas — as …

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Woodbury, Minn. — Moe’s Southwest Grill is bringing its bold flavors and signature hospitality to the Twin Cities area with the opening of its first traditional restaurant in the market. Slated to open by late September in Woodbury, Minn., the new location marks a milestone in the brand’s regional expansion and introduces local guests to the full Moe’s restaurant experience. While Moe’s currently serves travelers at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, the new 2,605-square-foot Woodbury restaurant is the brand’s first brick-and-mortar location in the Twin Cities area. “The Twin Cities area …

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Minneapolis — Target Corporation is bringing its new Target Beauty Studio, a reimagined beauty destination, to stores in September. Launching Sept. 10 in more than 600 Target stores nationwide and on Target.com, Target Beauty Studio combines Target’s expertise in curating the latest beauty trends with an elevated, discovery-led shopping experience. “When guests shop for beauty, they want to pick up their standbys while also exploring what’s new and trending, and Target Beauty Studio is designed with that mix in mind,” says Amanda Nusz, senior vice president of merchandising, essentials and …

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Boston — Gong cha, the global bubble tea brand with nearly 2,200 locations across 33 international markets, is expanding into the airport sector with a new location planned for Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. The store is expected to open by the end of 2026 and represents the brand’s first airport location in the U.S., signaling a major step forward in Gong cha’s non-traditional growth strategy. The location will be operated in partnership with Kind Hospitality, an experienced airport and hospitality operator led by Nava Singam, president and CEO. The …

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