The space was formerly occupied by Baer's Furniture, which plans to open a new store by the end of this year. The Staples lease takes occupancy in the center to 96%, according to Mindy McIlroy, director of leasing, and Marsha Griffiths, associate with Miami Beach-based Terranova Corp. McIlroy and Griffiths represented the owner, which is identified only as a pension fund, in the negotiations.

The center, which opened as Stein Mart in 1987, was expanded in 1997. "The location is a growing hub of regional commercial activity," according to McIlroy, "while the oceanfront is experiencing unprecedented residential development." Among the other tenants at Pompano Marketplace are Stein Mart, Jo-Ann Fabrics & Crafts, Dollar Tree and Carrabba's Italian Grill.

Meanwhile, in testimony to the flourishing activity in South Florida retail, Griffiths reports that Coquina Plaza, a 91,120-af Publix-anchored shopping center that opened in Pembroke Pines this month, is fully leased. So are the 83,597-sf Shoppes of Paradise Lakes in Kendall, the 75,337-sf Doral Isles in west Miami-Dade County, the 83,832-sf Sawgrass Center in Coral Springs and the 87,500-sf Beacon Center in Miami.