Retail


U.S. Job Report Strong Amid Coronavirus Concerns

The global coronavirus outbreak hasn't hurt the strong U.S. labor market ... yet. Unemployment in February dropped slightly, to 3.5 percent from 3.6 percent in January, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Meanwhile, national payrolls rose by 273,000… more

Winstead’s Parent Files for Bankruptcy

Local iconic hamburger chain Winstead's, which is in its 80th year of business, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, along with its parent company Haddad Restaurant Group, late last month, and Kansas Bankruptcy Court proceedings are currently ongoing. Winstead's still currently… more

Experiential Real Estate Pays Off for EPR

It's no secret that brick-and-mortar retail tenants are having problems these days with the closing of several Macy's stores, Forever 21 and other numerous large chains. But one segment of the space that seems to be what many in the… more

Country Club Plaza Ownership Changing Hands … Again

The Country Club Plaza looks like it will soon have new partial owner after being acquired as part of a 50-50 joint venture in 2016. That year, Raleigh, N.C.-based Highwoods Properties sold the open-air mixed-use complex for $660 million to… more

DEMDACO Moves Into the Brick-and-Mortar Space

DEMDACO, a Leawood-based company that makes ornaments and other gifts that are sold online and through catalogs, is opening its first retail store, at the Legends Outlets, in Kansas City, Kan. The location will be just under 2,500 square feet,… more

Will Payless ShoeSource Make a Comeback?

Topeka-based Payless ShoeSource has emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy, and management is geared up for a comeback. In some ways, the retailer, which closed all of its 2,300 North American stores last year, never really went away. It operates 420… more

Macy’s Departure To Leave Retail Hole in Prairie Village

About 120,000 square feet of retail space will become vacant when Macy's shuts its doors at Prairie Village Shopping Center. The city's mayor, Eric Mikkelson, announced at a city council meeting that the center's owner, First Washington Realty, told him… more

Hallmark ‘Transformation’ Includes Laying off 400

Hallmark Cards is laying off about 400 employees in its greeting-card, retail and corporate-support divisions as part of what management is calling a transformation in an attempt to adapt to changing consumer preferences. "The way people shop and the competitive… more

Houlihan’s Joining Landry’s Restaurant Empire

Leawood-based Houlihan's + Bar restaurants, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy earlier this year, is being acquired by Landry's, the Houston-based company that owns 600 restaurants, including the McCormick & Schmick's, Joe's Crab Shack and Rainforest Cafe chains, among others.… more

Hostess Buying Voortman for $320M

Hostess Brands is purchasing Voortman Cookies Limited for $320 million from a San Francisco-based private-equity firm, boosting its exposure to the cookie category. “Voortman is a leading brand with a well-defined consumer position that complements and extends the growing Hostess… more