CHARLOTTE-Open areas in major projects are catching on with developers who are selling the idea as a plus to buyers and investors, says Brad Davis, a partner in locally-based Land Design Inc.

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL-Furniture, home furnishings and consumer electronics are doing well but pet supply stores and party goods outlets are slipping, A.T. Toroyan, a principal at Rotella Toroyan Clinton Group here, tells GlobeSt.com.

WALTHAM, MA-VirtualPremise chooses locally based Exodus Communications to host its technology platform. VirtualPremise develops web-based business applications for the commercial real estate industry.