Isokern, a manufacturer of prefabricated fireplaces, has bought a parcel at 22248 N. 17th Place. The 31,300-sf parcel, zoned for industrial development, is situated in the Deer Valley Commerceplex. Broker Jeff Hulseweh of DAUM Commercial Real Estate Services' Phoenix office, has represented Isokern while Denise Guthridge of the Phoenix office of Metro Property Group has acted on behalf of seller Phoenix-based ME Investments.

In Tempe, D.W. Higgins Institute, a charter school for grade school students, has leased 15,000 sf at the Royal Palm Plaza, a retail center at 1805 E. Elliot Rd. The charter school, which signed a 37-month lease, had been located less than a quarter mile to the west, at 1565 E. Warner Rd. The retail site is at the southeast corner of Elliot and McClintock roads near the Arizona State University Research Park. Rich Sica and Sarge Glenn, both of DAUM's Phoenix office, have negotiated the lease for both parties.

Non-retail tenants have been leasing space in retail centers throughout the Valley, primarily taking space vacated by grocery stores and other retailers. Charter schools and back-office call center operations have been the most interested operations in the available retail space.