General Growth To File Chapter 11 Plan On 9 July

General Growth Properties Inc., the US second-largest mall owner, announced it expects to file its Chapter 11 reorganisation plan on or around 9 July, according to a statement. The company also filed a request with a US bankruptcy court to extend its exclusive right to file a plan to 18 October, and to extend its exclusive period to solicit acceptances of any plan of reorganisation through 18 October.

The current exclusivity periods are scheduled to expire on 15 July 2010 and 15 September 2010, respectively. General Growth said the requested extension is part of a strategy to “maximise value upon emergence” from bankruptcy, allowing it to “explore all financing emergence options available to it” and “complement or replace existing financing commitments” according to the statement.

In April 2009, General Growth filed the largest US real estate bankruptcy in history under a $27bn debt load amassed following acquisitions.

 Both Simon Property Group and a group led by Brookfield Asset Management tried to take over General Growth.

But, according to Bloomberg, Simon withdrew its offer in early May and a bankruptcy judge approved a plan for the mall owner to emerge with investments from Brookfield and its partners.

SOURCE: Financier.com

Mathematics for Retail

When I started as an executive trainee at Hornes department store things were different. We were all college graduates and the company provided an extensive training program. Of course that was the 80's when there were large budgets for HR and Training.

Today I find that those large training budgets are gone. I also see a lot more people being promoted from the store associate or supervisor level instead of being recruited from colleges. They may have little or no formal schooling past high school.

Do they understand how to read a P and L? Can they calculate a mark-up or a sell-thru? Do they understand the retail method of inventory? Can they run an open-to-buy?

I have found my answer to these questions about my employees many times to be NO! So what do you do?

I have used this book Mathematics for Retail to develop my own training program for both my field and corporate personnel. We have an obligation to ourselves, our companies and our employees to develop the future leaders.

This is a great book. I recommend that you get at least one copy to use as a component of your training program. If you have the funds get one for each of your trainees. It will pay for itself ten fold.

CLICK HERE TO BROWSE THE OUTLET INSIDERS BOOK STORE

Mark Libell

Lake Buena Vista Factory Stores

On Monday Jeffery Was (of Felenstein Was and Associates) announced that the Uniform Outlet opened at Lake Buena Vista Factory Stores in Orlando FL.

Mark Libell

Oklahoma City Council Amends Horizon Deal With Concerns

Oklahoma City Council Members today approved amendments to a 2008 joint agreement between Developer Horizon Group Properties LP, the Oklahoma City Economic Development Trust and The City of Oklahoma City for the developer to build an outlet mall in Oklahoma City, by a vote of seven to two.

Assistant City Manager Cathy O’Connor presented a historic overview and timeline to council members of the proposed project, stating an agreement was first signed in May 2008 between city entities and the developer. The project was set to open November 2009. However, dramatic changes in the retail market due to the economic downturn and the developer’s difficulty to obtain financing took a toll on the developer’s ability to move forward on the project.

The original agreement stated that HGP would build a 320,000-340,000-square-foot factory outlet center, bringing 90 retailers into the market. A possible 75,000-square-foot expansion on several out-parcels based on the success of the mall was also included.

The agreement also required a minimum investment of $50 million by HGP. The project was expected to generate approximately $106 million in annual retail sales at the center and an estimated $4.1 million in sales tax revenues each year for the city.

Further, HGP requested incentives with the agreement to include a regional marketing reimbursement of $5.5 million over a ten-year period (approximately 12.5 percent of sales taxes received). Also, the city was to provide $2,395,000 in public improvements at the site.

Details within the amended agreement include a change in size of the center from 340,000 square feet to 320,000 square feet, and increase from $2,395,000 to $3,937,690 in public improvements to the site from the city, which includes $1 million for Drive 2, a private road.

O’Connor stated another important change is a key date element requested by the city. By August 31, 2010, the developer must meet certain requirements before the city proceeds with public improvements. By end of August, the developer needs to close on land acquisition, execute its construction contract and provide evidence of financing for the project.

Several city council members voiced concerns over the developers’ ability to secure financing for the project and whether Atlanta-based Cousins Properties was still part of the joint venture in developing the outlet mall. Other concerns included the project’s design concept and whether the developer owned the property while already preparing the site.

“We’re still working with them (Cousins) as well as with a couple of other equity providers. Right now we’re just finalizing that as we start the project,” Thomas Rumptz, senior vice president of HGP, said.

Regarding site preparation, Rumptz said, his group has an agreement with the property’s current owners that the developer can commence the activity prior to the closing of the land.

SOURCE: OKC BIZ

Canada Day - off island !

Just because we're not at home tomorrow, it doesn't mean we can't celebrate Canada Day in style. Tim Horton's coffee, Sleemans Ale and Mission Hill wines form the liquid offerings to wash down Bison Burgers, Poutine and Timbits galore - in Trafalgar Square, London!

For the fifth year running, London's famous landmark will be a sea of red and white as Canada's 143rd birthday is celebrated all day long - and late into the evening.

The day begins at 10.30 with the Canadian Tenors leading a rousing rendition of O Canada, after which the Canadian High Commissioner will drop the first puck in a day-long competition of street hockey.

At the end of the day, the Square is transformed ready for a three hour concert featuring a host of performers from across Canada.

Such a pity the Queen will miss out on all the fun. Now where is she again..........?

You can see a full run down of the day's events here.

Toys 'R' Us Express opens in Tanger

Toys "R" Us Express, a division of Toys "R" Us, Inc., recently opened a store at Tanger Outlets in Commerce.

The 4,500-square-foot store features a wide variety of toys geared to a large age range. Since the corporate bankruptcy and closings of all KB Toy stores in early 2009, Tanger mall has not had a toy store.

All Toys "R" Us Express locations offer the same specialty services as their full-size Toys "R" Us store counterparts.

The new Tanger toy store is located in suite 805, near Nike, Eddie Bauer and The Children's Place Outlets.

SOURCE: Trading Markets

5-NEW LEASE SIGNINGS AT THE SHOPS OF GRAND RIVER

On Thursday Jeffery Was (of Felenstein Was and Associates) announced 5 new lease siginings in the past week at The Shops of Grand River AL.

The signings were for:

• Rue 21
• Skechers
• Childrens Place
• Corning
• Book Warehouse

The center is scheduled to open October 28th.

For prior announcements on this center follow this link.

Mark Libell

Jackson Premium Outlets

Recently I went to the Jackson Premium Outlets in New Jersey to visit my Kids Supercenter store there.

Jackson Premium Outlets
Developer: Chelsea Property Group/Simon
537 Monmouth Road
Jackson, NJ 08527
(732) 833-0503
Regular Hours Mon-Sat: 10am-9pm; Sun: 10am-7pm

Directions: From New York:
Take New Jersey Turnpike South to exit 7A. Take I-195 East to exit 16B. Jackson Premium Outlets is on the right.

The center is at the same exit as Six Flags Great Adventure Theme Park.

After a great visit at my Kids Supercenter store, I walked the center. 

 

There were currently only 2 vacancies in this center, both were in the far corner of the center near the food court. One was next to Reebok and  the other was next to Zumiez.

While there are very few vacancies in this center, I think the traffic has suffered here with the recent addition of the Philadelphia Premium Outlets and the Jersey Shore Premium Outlets. Both have cut into this centers business. 

Mark Libell

Eleventh annual Independence Day fireworks celebration Miromar Outlets

Miromar Outlets and Germain Arena present the 11th annual fireworks show in celebration of Independence Day on Saturday, July 3, 2010. The family event includes a schedule of activities hosted by Miromar Outlets.

From 3 to 8 p.m., the Lee Memorial Blood Mobile will be on site located next to Reebok Outlet Store. Vital health checks for each perspective donor include pulse rate, blood pressure, body temperature, anemia (iron level), and blood type and cholesterol levels at no charge. The Estero Rotary Club will be accepting donations during the celebration for Barbara’s Friends – The Southwest Florida Children’s Hospital Cancer Fund.

At 5 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Southern Extreme Water-Ski Team will perform on the lake between Miromar Outlets and Germain Arena. At 5:30 p.m. live music will be performed by GEEK SKWAD, a high energy rock band. The entertainment continues into the evening. The fireworks show will take place over the lake beginning at dusk. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets. Coolers and personal fireworks are not permitted. The full compliment of restaurants located in Miromar Outlets will be serving a wide variety of food and beverages.

Miromar Outlets is a project of Miromar Development Corporation, a multi-faceted real estate development company with a portfolio of residential and commercial properties including the nearby Miromar Lakes Beach & Golf Club and Miromar Design Center. Miromar.com.

Miromar Outlets is located at exit 123 off I-75, on Miromar Outlets Boulevard in Estero, between Naples and Fort Myers, across from Miromar Design Center. Store hours are Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. MiromarOutlets.com.

Bargain shoppers find their outlets in Texas

Malls that specialize in name brands have held their own by being a destination for consumers who are ready to buy

Joanna Heffernan and her teenage daughter, Kayden Graham, walked out of the Coach outlet store at Houston Premium Outlets, each holding a Coach bag with a purse inside. They had driven from their Richmond home to the sprawling outlet center in Cypress on Wednesday, “just to get away and out of town,” Heffernan said. “It's far enough away that you went somewhere.” And she likes to shop for deals, she added. There are many people like Heffernan who enjoy bargain hunting for name brands and are willing to go a ways to do it.

Developers are opening more outlet malls with such consumers in mind. For example, Simon Property Group, the world's largest shopping center developer, noted in its first quarter earnings report it had four construction projects — all for outlet malls.

In the Greater Houston area, Simon has the two largest collections of outlet stores. Katy Mills at 5000 Katy Mills Circle is more than 1.2 million square feet and has more than 175 stores, 65 percent of which are outlets. Katy Mills opened in 1999 and was acquired by Simon in 2007.

Private school teacher Nikki Vlasek and her 8-year-old daughter, Kate, were in Katy Mills on Tuesday, “making a day out of it. We rode the carousel, she played some video games and she might climb the rock climbing wall,” Vlasek said.

Katy Mills has outlet and traditional stores, and Vlasek said she was gravitating toward bargain shopping at the outlet stores, including Ann Taylor and J. Crew, although she also went to a traditional Old Navy and Claire's there.

Simon's other outlet-focused property, Houston Premium Outlets at 29300 Hempstead, is an upscale concept, said Michele Rothstein, senior vice president of marketing for Premium Outlets.

In November, 25 more outlet stores are slated to open at Houston Premium Outlets, bringing the total to 145. The expanded mall will be 541,000 square feet.

Among the soon-to-arrive merchants, Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th will become the center's largest store.

High occupancy

For the fourth quarter of 2009, Simon saw 91 percent occupancy for its traditional regional malls, compared with 98 percent for outlet malls. Sales per square foot in regional malls, excluding anchors, was $433, compared to $500 at outlet malls.

The Outlets at Conroe at 1111 League Line has 38 outlet stores including Bass, Guess, Izod, Kitchen Collection, Nike and Tommy Hilfiger. Owned by Newport Beach, Calif.-based Craig Realty Group, the Outlets at Conroe has been doing good business considering the economy, general manager Tanya Tounzen said. “We've seen sales increases every month this year. It's because of our value pricing,” she said.

The economy is helping drive the growth of the outlet sector, said Howard Davidowitz, chairman of Davidowitz and Associates, a national retail consulting and investment banking firm in New York. “More Americans are under financial stress and watching every penny, but they still are drawn to name brands,” he said.

An investment in time

More so than the traditional mall shopper, an outlet mall shopper is likely to buy, said Kit Yarrow, a professor of business and psychology at Golden Gate University in San Francisco.

“Going to an outlet mall is destination shopping,” she said. “The time and energy spent to get there is an investment. People will buy so they won't feel like they've wasted a trip.” 

SOURCE: David Kaplan Houston Chronicle www.chron.com

Prime Outlets Grand Prairie shopping center is on slow track

Prime Outlets' proposed shopping center in Grand Prairie first had to wait out a recession. Now, it's caught up in a pending merger.

While the project has no opening date, it's still alive, according to developers and city officials.

Prime owns land in Grand Prairie where it expected by now to have a 450,000-square-foot outlet center open with commitments from Neiman Marcus Last Call and Saks Off 5th.

Fall 2009 was the first target date for the center planned for the north side of Interstate 20, between State Highway 360 and Great Southwest Parkway.

It was pushed back to May 2011, and now it's in limbo again. "Maybe fall 2011," said Bob O'Neal, Grand Prairie's economic development director. "It's a one-year construction schedule. All the engineering is ready to go. We did the intersection improvements they needed."

Prime must meet requirements of a Federal Trade Commission inquiry of its pending merger. Simon Property Group Inc., the largest U.S. shopping mall owner, reached an agreement in December to buy Baltimore-based Prime Outlets from Lightstone Group for $2.33 billion, including debt.

Indianapolis-based Simon is cooperating with the FTC, which is putting the merger through antitrust scrutiny.
Simon had also bid on its largest competitor, Chicago-based General Growth Properties. Earlier this month, Simon chairman and CEO David Simon said the company had "moved on" and had no plans to make another bid for General Growth, which is reorganizing in bankruptcy.

Simon gains 22 retail outlet centers nationally if it completes the merger with Prime.

In recent years, Simon has acquired two other major mall operators, Mills and Chelsea. Simon also is the largest operator of traditional regional malls, including Firewheel Town Center in Garland, Irving Mall and the Galleria in Houston.

In Texas, Simon owns one of two major centers in San Marcos; four Premium Outlets, including one in Allen, and Mills malls in Grapevine and Katy. Once the deal is completed, Simon will have 63 outlet centers nationally.

Another proposed outlet center similar to Grand Prairie also has been delayed. Prime has plans to build in Livermore Valley, east of San Francisco.

Simon spokesman Les Morris said he couldn't comment on Prime projects since the merger was still pending.

Prime is actively leasing both projects, looking for additional retail and restaurant prospects, said a spokeswoman for Prime.

In May, Tanger Factory Outlet Centers Inc. canceled plans for a similar shopping center in Irving.

"We're still positive and anxious," Grand Prairie's O'Neal said.

"Prime has a healthy list of tenants." A year ago, Prime had lease commitments for 50 percent of the space from Michael Kors , Dooney and Bourke, Hugo Boss, Brooks Brothers , Tommy Hilfiger and others. In March, it said Cole Haan and Esprit were among additional retailers signing leases this year.

SOURCE: MARIA HALKIAS / The Dallas Morning News

Grandma arrested after kids left in hot car

A grandmother and her boyfriend face charges after police say they left her two small grandchildren alone inside a locked hot car in the parking lot of an outlet mall on Tuesday.

An off-duty Cincinnati police officer spotted the youngsters, 4 and 5, in the back seat of a four-door Pontiac about 4:50 p.m., according to Monroe police. The vehicle was parked outside Cincinnati Premium Outlets off northbound Interstate 75.

Windows on the driver’s sides of the vehicle were rolled down about 6 inches and all doors were locked. At that point in the day, the temperature was about 84 degrees, according to the National Weather Service.

The off-duty officer waited several minutes to see if someone came back to the car. When no one did, she called Monroe police.

Both children were visibly hot. After a few minutes in the cool air, though, they seemed to be fine, police said.

About 20 minutes later, a man and a woman carrying shopping bags approached the Pontiac. They told police they had stopped to use the bathroom and were only at the mall a short time.

Officers didn’t buy it. They confronted the couple about the shopping bags and arrested them.

Dianna Taylor, 49, and Alvin Abney, 52, both of Dayton, were booked into the Warren County Jail on misdemeanor child endangering charges about 6 p.m.

Both were held overnight on $2,000 bond each. They are scheduled to appear at 1 p.m. Thursday in Lebanon Municipal Court.

The children's mother was called to the mall parking lot to pick them up, police said.

SOURCE: Cincinnati.com

Apparel costs to rise: Perry Ellis CEO

Clothing maker Perry Ellis International sees a 10 percent rise in industry wide apparel prices over the next two years amid rising commodity prices and higher labor costs in China.

Prices have to go up at some point. The American consumer will have to pay higher prices... It's only apparel and electronics, the items that keep coming down, everything else in life has come up," Chief Executive George Feldenkreis told the Reuters Consumer and Retail Summit in New York.

Feldenkreis said the push for higher wages in China and the government's recent move to relax controls on the yuan would further contribute to price increases.

"Beijing is 30 million people. There is a movement to bring some of that prosperity to the midwest region in China. That is also creating more issues with labor costs... you have seen some unrest," he said.

The company, which sells branded merchandise in department stores such as Macy's Inc and Kohl's Corp  and also licenses its brand to retailers, is also looking to migrate more toward direct ownership.

"We have announced we are taking back the dress shirt license, and (there's ) another we haven't announced but we will take back," Feldenkreis said.

Perry Ellis has considerably reduced its business with discount chain Wal-Mart Stores Inc due to price issues, and Feldenkreis said eventually even Wal-Mart will have to raise apparel prices.

It is now doing business worth $3 million to $4 million with the world's largest retailer, down from $60 million within the last three years.

About 90 percent of Perry Ellis' revenue comes from its men's business, and the CEO said the men's business performed much better than the women's segment during the recession.

However, many men have traded down, opting for cheaper options to dress shirts and costly suits, he said.
"Men are wearing less suits... men are buying cheaper suits, Feldenkreis said. "Even the $200 suit has actually been growing ... but what really has suffered the most is that suit between $300 and several thousand (dollars)."

The company, which ended the quarter with $31.8 million in cash and no borrowings against its senior credit facility, is also up for buying a mid-tier women's brand, he said.

"We have been interested in making an acquisition in the women's space. A well-managed company... I don't want to buy anything I have to turn around anymore," he said, adding the company has some credibility with older women who recognized its namesake top designer in the United States.

In 2008, Perry Ellis spent $33.1 million to acquire the women's wear lines C&C California and Laundry by Shelli Segal from Liz Claiborne Inc, and has been reworking those brands to resonate with shoppers.

Feldenkreis, a member of a group vying to bring the World Cup to Miami, also said there was a possibility the company might soon become involved with a soccer brand that it would license.

SOURCE: Reuters

For other stories on this topic see:

Rising labor costs in China

Production Costs Rise - Who will pay in this tough economy?

 

 

Opry Mills gets $5M permit to rebuild shells of tenants' stores

The cost of what it will take to put Opry Mills mall back together again continues to grow clearer.

A rehabilitation building permit for $5 million was issued on behalf of the mall Tuesday. Belfor Group USA, whose red, white and black trucks and billboards are now a common sight in Nashville, was issued the permit to return the mall to “white box” status, that is, to shell out the building in advance of tenants.

According to the permit, additional permits will be required to ready the individual tenant spaces.
The mall’s Bass Pro Shop has already received a $2 million building permit for repairs to its anchor space. In a recent interview with the Nashville Business Journal, Bass Pro’s local general manager said Simon Property Group, the mall’s Indianapolis-based owner, is financially responsible for restoring the shell of tenant spaces — the walls, floor, etc. Individual tenants, he said, are responsible for repairs inside their spaces.

The 1.2 million-square-foot mall has been closed since early May’s flood. Simon Property Group has yet to say when the mall will reopen.

SOURCE: Nashville Business Journal

For prior posts on this subject see:

Opry Mills tenant mix, timeline unclear after historic flooding

Flooded Opry Mills mall's revival begins

Log Cabin Bar and Grill

CROSSROAD CUISINE - My quest to find great local food when I'm on the road.

On my prior visit to The Crossings Premium Outlet I mentioned that The Log Cabin Bar and Grill opened. On that trip I ate at The Barley Creek Brewing Company. I promised that on my next trip I would test out this new restaurant.

The Log Cabin Bar & Grill

Located in The Crossings Premium Outlets

Between Carters and Coach

570-619-7812

 The restaurant has an appropriately Pocono Mountain decor.

We started with the Black and Blue Chips. They are described as house made chips topped with melted blue cheese, crumbled bacon and a dash of cayenne pepper.

The chips are home-made as advertised. I personally thought they were cut too thick and were a little too hard. Now that's a matter of opinion, some people may like them that way. I didn't. The dish goes down hill after that. There is virtually no bacon. You can see that in the picture. However the biggest sin is the "melted blue cheese". That's just not true. What is on there is an inexpensive bottle dressing with very little blue cheese. It mostly tastes like Italian salad dressing. I definitely would not order this dish again.

After that I had Camp Fire Burger: melted pepper jack cheese, jalapenos, and Tabasco frizzled onions.

They did redeem themselves with the burger. The burger was juicy with a great meaty burger flavor. It was not a premade frozen burger. While the bun was a little big for the burger, it was a good fresh poppy seed bun. The Tabasco frizzled onions were a nice addition. I didn't think the pepper jack cheese, jalapenos and Tabasco onions were too hot....but I like hot food.

You could sub fries for the chips if you wanted, but beware they use Hunts Ketchup not Heinz. You have to use Heinz, it is the best. Frankly I am really surprised because Heinz started in Pennsylvania.

Overall I would say this; its better than the food court in the mall. However the food court in this mall is terrible. If I was here and wanted lunch and didn't have time to leave the mall I would eat here again. However I would still recommend you make the time and drive the short distance to the Barley Creek Brewing Company. Especially if your done working and can try a few of their home made beers.

For other great places to eat when your on the road, check out:

The 5-8 Club, Home of the Juicy Lucy

Al's #1 Italian Beef

If you liked this post then you have to get this book: 
500 Things to Eat Before Its Too Late

Mark Libell

Simon Property Group sets eye on expanding outlet malls

After Simon Property Group gave up trying to buy its biggest mall-owning rival, attention shifted to its $2.3 billion purchase of Prime Retail Outlets.

The owner of Tyrone and Gulf View Square malls, Simon will land the teeming Prime Outlets Ellenton and Orlando in a deal sealing control of 77 of the nation's 217 outlet mall properties.

Antitrust regulators are still combing the deal struck seven months ago, but likely not with the same zeal as when Simon had a second offer out to grab General Growth Properties Inc., too. That $11 billion deal would have added 158 more top-tier malls to Simon's 380-mall trophy case, or a third of all the regional malls in the United States.

But it wasn't a lack of cash or regulators that put the kibosh on Simon. It became evident General Growth didn't want Simon once the management and creditors took a lower offer, said David Simon, chief executive.
Locally the Manatee County outlet would bookend Tampa Bay with Tampa Premium Outlets, a counterpart Simon has planned for years at State Road 52 and Interstate 75 in Pasco County.

The Pasco mall was supposed to open in 2008, but was put off until 2011 by the economic collapse. The inactivity energized the rumor mill about sites closer to town. One had Sierra Properties wooing Simon's Pasco project south as part the sprawling Cypress Creek development at SR 56. Meanwhile, a Washington, D.C., developer appeared with plans for a mall-size hotel-retail development at the Florida State Fairgrounds. That harks back to a mid 1990s attempt to put an outlet mall there to feed off the tourists drawn to the Seminole Hard Rock Casino.

It's too late for Simon to open in 2011. The players will not comment on rumors or when the market might recover enough for another outlet mall.

"We are still very committed to Tampa-St. Pete and think it would be an outstanding market for our Premium Outlets concept," said Michelle Rothstein, a Simon spokeswoman. "We hope to have an announcement in the near future."

Shailendra Group, the Atlanta developer that wants to fit the Premium Outlets mall into part of 950 acres it acquired in 2002, heard the rumors.

"I cannot comment," said Ron Weaver, Shailendra's Tampa attorney. "But we do have the best site."

SOURCE: St. Petersburg Times

The school bus challenge

This week, the Ministry of Education has announced that they are to spend a cool $12.5 million on 106 new green [well, yellow anyway] school buses - of which just two will find their way to the Nanaimo-Ladysmith School District.

In a news release this week, Minister of Education Margaret MacDiarmid revealed:

“Student transportation services cost more than $90 million annually. Over the coming months, we will be looking for new ways to provide bus transportation for students that will save money that can be reinvested in classrooms.”

Nanaimo-Ladysmith School District expects to spend $1,285,000 on transportation this year - of which $1,239,000 is the direct costs (excluding administration) of running 17 school buses around the district. That's an average $73,000 a year for each school bus. On top of that is the capital cost of the buses themselves - with the new 42-seat buses costing $114,000 each, rising to $140,000 for bigger, 84-seat buses.

MacDiarmid suggests that some school districts are saving money by providing students with Transit passes instead of running their own buses. That's great - providing you have a transit service to start with! Needless to say, there is no transit service on Gabriola - and one cost saving measure proposed by the School District is to assign a mechanic to drive the link bus from the Gabriola ferry to NDSS and back, instead of employing a driver - meaning there's less time spent on maintaining the buses. Sound economy? I'm not so sure.

And meanwhile, Gabriola cries out for a transit service to help the ever growing number of older folk - and young families without their own transport - access the necessities of life. BC Transit has promised a review of the potential for a transit service - but it doesn't look like it's coming anytime soon. And yet we have a school bus on the island that sits idle most days between 9am and 3pm, and daily from 5pm onwards.

Now I'm not suggesting that the yellow school bus should be used to provide a transit service during the day - anyone who has peeked through the door of the school bus will know that you need the agility of a mountain goat to climb the flight of steps inside the bus - which is the price that you pay for designing a school bus on a cheap, mass-produced truck frame.

No, what is needed on Gabriola is some joined up thinking between School District 68 and BC Transit to invest in a step-free transit bus that can be used for both services. Yes, I know that means there would be no transit service before 9am or for two hours in the afternoon - but by sharing the running costs between BC Transit, School District 68 and Nanaimo Regional District, we could secure a transit service for shoppers, medical appointments and leisure trips at a fraction of the cost of a dedicated transit bus. Once that's established, then it's time to consider whether a second bus - for peak time travel - can be justified.

It's time to accept that it's no longer sustainable to run two separate transport systems in rural communities : it's time to think outside the box and look for an integrated solution to secure transport services for the future. The yellow school bus working for just 4 hours a day is living on borrowed time. And meanwhile, Gabriola walks.

Site work begins on outlet mall in Oklahoma City

Dirt work has begun, and a modified incentives agreement is set to be heard next week for construction to start this summer on a $50 million factory outlet mall in far west Oklahoma City.

The original agreement, signed by the Oklahoma City Council in May 2008, called for the city to spend $2.3 million on infrastructure for the site and sales tax rebates of up to $550,000 a year over a decade as reimbursements for actual expenses.

Michigan-based Horizon Group hoped to open the 340,000-square-foot Outlet Shoppes at Oklahoma City at Interstate 40 and Council Road by fall 2009. Instead, the national economic crash put those plans on hold.

Brent Bryant, the city's economic development program manager, confirmed Friday that the Economic Development Trust is set to review a modified agreement Tuesday that increases the costs of infrastructure from $2,395,000 to $3,937,690. The increase includes $1 million for a road that originally was to be built by Horizon, with the remainder of the increase reflecting revised estimates and not a change in the incentives' scope.

"They were going to build a public street, turn around and dedicate it to the city,” Bryant said. "After 2008, the financing requires less debt and more equity — and this (the city paying for the street) is in response to them requesting more assistance. At the end of the day, this will be a public street.”

Officials with Horizon could not be reached for comment Friday. Bryant said the agreement requires Horizon to close on the purchase of the land, execute a construction contract and show proof of financing by Aug. 31.

Safeguards in the original contract remain, Bryant said. Those safeguards include providing documentation on sales and regional marketing expenses. The $5.5 million allows Horizon to be reimbursed for up to $550,000 in regional marketing costs for each of the 10 years.

Bryant added the reimbursement is structured so that it will not exceed 12.5 percent of sales tax revenues generated by the mall.

About 112,000 cars drive along I-40 at Council on a daily basis.

Alison Oshel, a retail specialist with the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber, said the mall's location and the marketing aimed at regional shoppers will help the local economy. She said the outlet mall will generate new sales taxes for Oklahoma City instead of shifting existing dollars within the city.

"It is extremely important because the outlet mall customer will drive significantly further than any other shopper,” Oshel said. "This is a customer who will not only spend money at the outlet shops; they also will spend money to eat, attend our entertainment venues and perhaps spend a night or two in one of our hotels.”

Oshel noted that only four outlet malls are in the development stage nationwide.

"It's a great location,” Oshel said. "Its proximity to Bricktown and the Adventure District means that the out-of-town customer really can turn what would otherwise have been just a shopping trip into a day or two of entertainment and dining in Oklahoma City. Being just off of I-40 and visible from the highway will also draw from those who would otherwise just drive through town without stopping.”

Currently the closest outlet mall from Oklahoma City is in Gainesville, Texas — a 135-mile drive. The Outlet Shoppes at Oklahoma City is expected to generate 1,000 jobs with $19 million in direct payroll.

SOURCE: NewsOK

Michael Kors opens at The Crossings Premium Outlets

On my prior visit to The Crossings Premium Outlets I noted that the Michael Kors store was under construction. That store is now open.

At the time this space was one of only two vacancies. Now that this store is open, another store is closed and under construction. It appears that the former Final Cut BCBG Max Azria is closed and under construction. It is in the blue section next to Maidenform. In conversations with mall personnel, it appears that this was their clearance store. They have a permanent store just a short distance away (currently next to Pepperidge Farm). Due to their success they are remodeling the Final Cut space which is larger and going to make it the permanent BCBG Max Azria store. No word yet on what will be going into the existing BCBG space.

Additionally, there is a temporary store in the old Book Cellar Space. It is now a temporary Christian Books store.

As an interesting aside, you can see a clear indication of the history of this center in this picture.

The original owners built the mall in phases. Each phase was designated as a color. The Red phase, the Green phase etc. This is still evident on the mall maps. Originally all stores in a particular section had to have signs that matched that sections color. After Premium took over the center they changed this policy. You can now have signs of any color. This is better for the retailers. It allows them to be consistent with their logos and signage. This creates an interesting dynamic in the mall. You can spot the newer stores by their signs. In the above picture you can see all the signs are blue except Rue 21.

Mark Libell

Simon, Coke ink marketing agreement

The marketing division of Indianapolis-based Simon Property Group Inc. and The Coca-Cola Co. this week announced a vending, sponsorship, mall advertising and promotion initiative.

Simon Brand Ventures and Coke extended the comprehensive marketing alliance for multiple years, although a news release did not give a specific time period for the agreement. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

The effort includes the multi-mall event featuring past "American Idol" finalists.

The agreement will help Coke reach "important demographic groups, especially teens and young adults," said Mikael Thygesen, president of Simon Brand Ventures, in the release.

The nation's largest mall owner and operator in 2009 was the first to feature the Coca-Cola Interactive Video Vender, a touch-screen vending and interactive technology.

SOURCE: Indystar

While this article doesn't specify that this extends into the outlet centers. I took this picture at the Jackson Premium Outlets on Thursday. Clearly Coca-Cola is heavily involved with the events at the Premium Outlets as well.

Mark Libell

16th Annual Pig-N-Whistle Barbeque

Last Thursday I attended the 16th Annual Pig-n-Whistle Barbeque hosted by the DOCR Developers of Outlet Centers and Retailers and the Boss Hogs of the outlet industry: David Ober, Jeff Cohen, Ron Simkin and Ed Woods. This event is an annual networking BBQ - a day of fun, food and friends.

It was a perfect day. It was sunny with a comfortable 70 degree temperature. There was a great turn out.

Here is "The Pit Crew" dishing out some amazing food. There was pulled pork, ribs, sausages and much more. It was all delicious.

I would like to personally thank David Ober, Jeff Cohen, Ron Simkin and Ed Woods for having such an amazing event.

The Council of Developers of Outlet Centers and Retailers (DOCR) is a not-for-profit service organization dedicated to meeting the needs of those involved in the fast track "value" industry.

If you would like to become a member of the DOCR follow this link: 
http://www.docr.net/member.asp

Mark Libell

Opry Mills tenant mix, timeline unclear after historic flooding

The owners of flood-ravaged Opry Mills haven’t yet said when the massive shopping center will reopen. The bigger question, though, may be which retailers will be there when it does.

One thing is clear: A post-flood Opry Mills will be different, changing the face and character of the 1.2 million-square-foot shopping center that, according to published reports, brought in more than $200 million in revenue in 2009 from regional shoppers and tourists alike. According to the mall’s owner, Indianapolis-based Simon Property Group, the regions’s second-largest mall draws from a population of 570,000 people.

Billy Lyell, a retail-oriented broker with Nashville Commercial Real Estate Services, said the big-box, anchor tenants are more likely to stay put. Smaller stores, though — those around 10,000 square feet — are likely to see a lot of turnover. Lyell estimated that up to 30 percent may not come back.

“Some of your small tenants might use this as an opportunity to get out,” said Lyell, who is representing one such tenant (which he declined to name) in a search for new space.

SOURCE: Nashville Business Journal

Do you have a store in Opry Mills? What do you hear about whats going on? What are your current plans? I would love to hear your comments?

Coach robbery an inside job.

An employee at the Seattle Premium Outlets’ Coach store is among those involved in the May 27 crime, police say. Police became suspicious of Jeremy Jason Laviguer when he dropped his girlfriend off for work Tuesday at the Seattle Premium Outlets. An alert officer spotted Laviguer at the outlet mall driving a white Honda Accord, the vehicle that police suspected was used as a getaway car in the May 27 takeover robbery at the Coach store.

Detectives quickly tracked Laviguer, 26, to a home in Everett. After talking to him, the plot behind the early morning robbery quickly unfolded, officials said. Laviguer was arrested Tuesday. His girlfriend, Lucianna Marie Jones, 22, and Michael W. Hodgen, 26, were placed behind bars Wednesday.

The robbery had occurred before the store opened. Someone rang the bell around 6:30 a.m. for the delivery door at the back of the store. When the manager opened the door, two men rushed in wearing masks and carrying firearms, according to police. One had a handgun and the other had a rifle. The robbers used plastic ties to bind the two employees’ hands, grabbed an undisclosed amount of cash and fled. No one was injured.

Police allege Jones, who worked at the store, mapped out the backroom and showed the men where the safe was kept, according to a police affidavit filed Thursday in Everett District Court. From the outset police believed the holdup was an inside job, Tulalip Police Chief Jay Goss said.

Detective suspected Hodgen’s involvement after checking his MySpace page. A photo showed him holding a handgun similar to the weapon described by the victims.

More than $5,000 cash was found among the three suspects, police said.

The two men allegedly confessed their involvement. Jones invoked her right to remain silent. All three suspects were booked into the Snohomish County Jail for investigation of first-degree robbery, second-degree assault and unlawful imprisonment. The two men were being held in lieu of $75,000 bail, while Jones was ordered held on $50,000 bail.

SOURCE: HeraldNet

Paris Part Deux: Where Paris wins the battle

When last you read, I had just gotten off the train with a broken shoe and a sweat drenched cardigan.  I was determined not to let either ruin a perfectly Parisian day.

The plan was to get to Gard du Nord, stash my case and explore the City of Lights for about 6 hours.  I couldn't decide if it was better to save money or time, but opted for the former and went to the taxi line.  No joke, there were about 50 people in it!  With cabs pulling up every three minutes!  GAH!  At this rate I would miss the mimes in front of the Eiffel Tower.

But heck, I've lived in New York, I could hail me a cab.  After trailing my suitcase down one length of the station (which was a long one) I discovered there was no exit.  So I trailed my suitcase the other way.

The back sweat had come back.

I then went outside, tried to hail a cab for five minutes, crossed the street and tried again, walked up the block, tried again and then crossed the street a second time.  Damn it, there was a reason to that stupid line.

My plan of saving time had already cost me more than half an hour.  Time for the metro.  I had to lug the case down about 50 stairs.  SHOOT ME.  Then another set of stairs and into a large building where metro lines surrounded me, escaltors took people in all directions and about thirty high school groups were trying to find a subway to the Eiffel Tower.  It took me approximately 10 minutes to dechiper my route on the map.  My route involved 2 changes and no elevators. God, just where in Paris was I?

Back to the taxi line.  Wasted time?  Almost an hour.

Luckily the line was shorter and I finally got a cab.  Unfortunately the French doctors were striking that day (the French strike all the time apparently, luckily I had read 'A Year in the Merde' so knew this), but the strike made it so that all the roads around the train station were blocked!  GAH!  It took twenty minutes and 13 Euros JUST to go three blocks.

Paris was really starting to piss me off.

My driver was awesome though, and he got us through traffic and past pedestrians quickly.  I was trying to get my bearings when I happened to look out my left side window and there was the Eiffel Tower, shimmering proudly in the distance.  I clapped.

It just looks so majestic from far away.  As if you are looking at it through a gauze curtain.

My mood was starting to lift.

Checking my luggage was easy, getting on a metro was easy, and starting to explore Paris was easy.  

First, off to my favourite creperie near Notre Dame where I ordered a ham and cheese crepe as well as a Nutella crepe.  The woman thought she misheard me but I assured her that I 

was, in fact, quite piggy and I did indeed want both.  I don't know what it is about this place but seriously the best crepes I have had in France hand down.

I sat back, catching my breath and watching the tourists flock by.  Teenagers rough-housing, girls giggling at boys, gangly almost-men skulking around the crowd.  I couldn't help but smile at these kids.  I was 19 the first time I saw Paris. I cried.  This was my third visit and it hadn't yet stopped taking my breath away (albeit that could be my 50-lb bag).  

I noticed that the Latin Quarter and Saint Germaine had new bicycles that looked as though you could rent them, then drop them off at another location.  Perfect!

Except that is not how they work.  I needed a card that I didn't have, and you have to be a local (I think).  I still don't know.  They want to be the new city of bicycles but apparently not for tired tourists (especially ones that just wolfed down two crepes).  

It was a pied.  

I wandered down along the Seine.  But the wind had picked up and my eyes were beginning to fill with dust.  Leaves were hitting my head.  I tried to catch a water bus.  But no.  It wasn't running on the side I was on (again, I think.  I never really know what is going on).

My hair was ruined, I had Paris dust in my mouth and my feet were already hurting.  I looked up to see the ET (yet again, I don't get sick of it) and couldn't help but smile and clap again.  That's right.  Crazy Canuck just stands on sidewalk and claps. I didn't mind the ruined hair.

What is it about the Eiffel Tower that makes me feel so girly and happy?  It must be the symbol of all things feminine and pretty.  I stood there just smiling like an idiot.  I WAS IN PARIS!

And what does a girl do in Paris?  SHOP!!!!  Printemps for my favourite tea, 

Fauchon for some amazing macarons (oh god!  The macarons!!)

then a random cheese shop where I picked up several cheeses for my British family, and of course some shoe stores.  

I must sadly report that fashion in Paris is reflecting only 1980's clothing.  WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!!  And the nautical look. But to be frank, I was already feeling like crap and trying on small fitting clothes was not on the agenda.

I felt like wandering through the city, around the Arc du Triomphe and then over to Eiffel Tower.  Unfortunately, the weather had turned from bad to worse and I was starting to limp.  My shopping trip felt more like a chore and my back was aching.  Things had changed since I was 19.

Why does everywhere I go have scaffolding???

After five hours of stomping through the streets, I felt like I had been hit by a truck. And I almost was once!  I went on a long subway ride only to discover I had just got myself around the corner.  And being in a big city was feeling very strange after spending so much time in the country.

I knew Paris was magical.  I just wasn't feeling it.  By the time I was under the Eiffel Tower I was pooped.  

Sitting on a bench, I stared at all the people taking their pictures. Posing, smiling, kissing.  I was under a blossom tree so I took my shoes off and laid back, staring up at the tower and pink blossoms.

France had been so wonderful and amazing.  Could it be that I was happier in the smaller villages?  Or was I simply tired and missing the Engineer?  Paris is lonely without sharing it with someone.  It doesn't have to be a man, it could be your best friend, or a new friend.  It's a city that should not be seen alone.  I never thought I would think that, but there you go.

I wanted to be back in a place where I could hear the frogs and the nightingales. I wanted to see stars and the moon, not tourists and towers.  Paris could wait for another time.

I smiled, kissed the tower goodbye and headed for my Eurorail that would carry me to London.  

The honeymoon was officially over.

Too bad that wasn't my last experience.  You'd expect some drama right? 

Well, I got to Eurorail, went through customs and was about to board when I discovered I had lost my ticket! GAH!  Leaving my overly heavy bags with a nice American family, I dashed back to security, explained that I left my ticket on the passport counter and had to be 'escorted' three feet.  It was still there!  Hooray!  I would have had to pay another 50 Euros if I had lost it!

Let's just say that my the time my day was ending as I arrived in London, I was pretty grateful.  

What else could go wrong?

Nothing except that on the train up to my family in Manchester, my cheese was smelling so strongly the guys sitting across from me thought the toilets had overflowed.  I didn't want to tell them the 'poop' they were smelling was in my bag.  And that it would be eaten tomorrow by my family.

I smiled.  Smelly cheese is always the best.  France taught me that.