Retail

AUSTIN-Seattle's Best Coffee lines up a franchise partner to develop 13 cafes in Austin and three in Waco. The first of the RTG Business Enterprises-owned cafes could open by January. Competitor Starbuck's has 27 locations in the markets.

FULLERTON, CA-The real estate investor pays $2.7 million for the Fullerton retail complex. Tenants at the fully occupied center include Linder Furniture, the Recycler and L.A. Carpet.

NEW YORK CITY-The owner of prime SoHo real estate has fired one broker and hired another in hopes of securing a build-to-suit deal. The new marketing team is guardedly optimistic about closing a deal despite the current economy. The former broker, however, says the owner's greed has scuttled every offer to develop the property.

PHOENIX-The Phoenix region's retail market is holding its own in tough times. Vacancy is up just a shade, says CB Richard Ellis in a Q3 analysis. Two regional malls opened with occupancies above 90%. Even 60 shuttered store were quickly snatched up.

MOUNT LAUREL, NJ-The township wants to bolster its non-commercial uses and has hired a top engineering firm to analyze the situation and make recommendations.

ORLANDO-Five days after a 40,000-sf store mysteriously burned to the ground in south Orlando, fire department investigators continue to probe and analyze the debris for clues that may show the pre-dawn blaze was purposely set.

ROSEVILLE, MN-Staubach Co. represents the retailer in the deal, which includes a signature in-store waterfall, soft woods, natural stone and ambient lighting in the 5,709-sf space's interior design.

CRYSTAL LAKE,IL-In addition to a federal suit involving plans in Hoffman Estates, homeowners near a site in this far northwest suburb object to plans for a 24-hour, 195,714-sf store, and the zoning board recommends denial.