Weekly Perl: A Commercial Real Estate News Recap
A Tale of Two Entertainment Zones
When the entertainment zone ordinance was enacted in June, the Oktoberfest celebration on the Promenade was presented as a good opportunity for seeing the legislation’s potential. Though I’ve been somewhat skeptical about the long-term benefits of rescuing downtown via alcohol and cannabis, outdoor drinking and Oktoberfest rituals definitely seemed like a natural fit...
Walmart owns two shopping centers. It plans to demolish one.
Juggernaut Walmart is taking an unusual step for a discount chain: owning two shopping centers. But its plans for the properties are quite common among retail landlords: It’s tearing down one of them, a mall, for redevelopment...
Loan Modifications Surge Amid CRE Refinancing Strain
Commercial real estate lenders are scrambling to mitigate risk as the fallout from higher interest rates continues to ripple across the market, as reported by GlobeSt.
According to the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, the value of modified CRE loans surged to $27.7B in Q2 2025—a 66% increase from a year earlier...
Chick-fil-A targets Oregon expansion; Mortgage applications decline; Arrest made in Los Angeles’ Palisades Fire
Chick-fil-A targets Oregon expansion
Chick-fil-A plans to open six new Oregon restaurants by early 2027, taking its total in that state to 20 as part of continued expansion in several regions by the chicken chain.
A company statement said two restaurants were slated to debut this week in Sherwood and Corvallis with future openings planned in Portland, Tigard and Wood Village. The new eateries are expected to create more than 600 jobs.
Bed Bath & Beyond offers franchising to jump-start revival of store fleet
Bed Bath & Beyond is turning to franchising to help drive the expansion of its reborn store fleet.
The Murray, Utah-based company — owner of the Bed Bath & Beyond, Buy Buy Baby and Overstock brands — on Tuesday said it plans to launch a national franchise system, working with local entrepreneurs...
Importance of bank branches drives Fifth Third purchase of Comerica
Fifth Third Bancorp is purchasing Comerica in the largest bank deal announced this year, an acquisition that shows the importance of retail branches in growing regional deposits.
Bank executives specifically cited the need for more deposits as a factor in the all-stock deal, valued by the banks at $10.9 billion, during a call Monday with analysts. Retail branches are considered one of the best ways for banks to collect deposits and Dallas-based Comerica operates about 355 branches nationwide...
How Barnes & Noble's new chapter relies on real estate
When a Barnes & Noble opened to a long line of customers in August in a former Staples office supply store in Texas, it didn't have its traditional dark wood and green aesthetic. Instead, the feel was airier: soft Victorian pink walls, light-wood displays and genre-themed rooms with reading nooks as well as play areas catering to local customer preferences...
Big Lots marks return with grand opening celebration across all stores
Big Lots is kicking off its next chapter.
The discounter, which has been reopening stores under its new ownership during the past several months, will hold a grand opening celebration for all its reopened doors on Oct. 30. In the lead-up to the event, Big Lots is offering customers 10% off everything in the store (except prepaid gift cards) from Oct. 2–5...
Cap Rates Shift In Net Lease Restaurant Sector
IHOP
Among national net lease tenants, IHOP stands out as a model of consistency, reports GlobeSt. Properties are trading around an average cap rate of 6.65%, with some deals closing as low as 5%. This reflects the brand’s stable in-store performance and strong national footprint. Modest 5.1% rent bumps every five years also contribute to tighter cap rates. Sales prices hover near $2.3M, indicating reliable investor demand despite rising interest rates...
World Of Flight Opens First US Store In Philadelphia
Retail Playbook In Motion
Nike is working to boost sales and refocus its brand, reports CoStar. The opening of the Jordan World of Flight store in Philadelphia is part of that effort, highlighting a strategy that blends culture, community, and commerce. The retail space will feature premium Jordan apparel and footwear. It will also include experiential elements like co-creation stations and limited product drops, all designed to attract sneaker enthusiasts and loyal fans...
