Linear hopes to deploy $80 million in 2008, according toprincipal Aubrey Cannuscio. Despite the credit crunch that hasslowed property sales dramatically in the region, $16 million hasbeen spent year-to-date, including $3.9 million for the Readingproperty and $1.6 million for 1138 Post Rd. in Warwick.Negotiations are underway on another two deals, Cannuscio confirmswhile declining to identify those properties.

The fund gives Burlington-based Linear the ability to make farlarger purchases than the latest two. There are several substantialassets already in the $225 million spent since the campaign beganfive years ago, but Cannuscio says the latest buys arestrategically important for the fund, calling them"straight-forward investments" that allow a cash flow and potentialupside via a planned retrofit of 345 Main St. The off-market dealwas brokered by Frank Normandin of Summit Realty Partners, whocorrectly sensed the center would be attractive to Linear, saysCannuscio.

A vacant space fronting Route 28 has recently been leased by asuccessful natural foods store, bringing 345 Main St. to fulloccupancy. Other tenants include a Sherwin-Williams outlet, anotherrecent arrival. There is also a liquor store whose owners, BusaLiquors, sold 345 Main St. to Linear. The most lasting denizen ofthe plaza is Café Capri, a popular local pizza shop and restaurantsituated at the rear of the property.