RETAIL NEWS

CHEVY CHASE, MARYLAND – It’s been three years since shopping center leasing, management, and development company JBG Rosenfeld Retail (JBGR) first announced its plans to redevelop the Free State Shopping Center. Tomorrow, September 15, grocer Giant Food will open the doors to a new, 73,000 square-foot Super Giant, replacing the smaller store it has occupied since the opening of Free State. As announced in July, JBGR will subdivide the former Giant store into two, smaller retail spaces to make way for national retailers Office Depot and Ross Dress for Less, both slated to open in late spring 2007.

“This week marks the conclusion of the second phase of this massive project,” said JBGR Principal Jim Garibaldi.  “The redevelopment of the center – including the long-awaited opening of the new, state-of-the-art Giant Food store, demolition of the old ‘mini-mall’, a new, multi-tenant retail building, façade renovations, land-and hardscape upgrades, and a handful of new retailers – has breathed new life into the center and redefined convenience for the residents of North Bowie and beyond.  We are very thankful to the community for their patience throughout this process, and hope they find the changes at Free State worth the wait.

"We believe Giant's decision to expand their presence at Free State is a testament to their past success at our center and to the strength of the Bowie market," Garibaldi continued.  "In addition, the upgrades we've made throughout the center are consistent with the company's plan to update its older stores to remain competitive in the supermarket industry. Giant's new prototype fits perfectly with the new look and feel at Free State. The store is not only spectacular, but offers an amazing selection in all categories and adds new items not previously available – we are excited for the customers."

Also celebrating its grand opening this weekend is Cold Stone Creamery, a nationally-recognized concept known for its smooth and creamy ice cream customized for each patron on a granite stone. The shop is located in the new, 9,500 square-foot pad building fronting Annapolis Road (Route 450), and joins Rockaway Bedding which opened in June, and Dolce Pomodoro, a concept from the owners of the popular Squisito’s Italian Restaurants, which will open early next year.

In addition to the changes made to the building structures at Free State, JBGR also made extensive upgrades to the aesthetics at the center. A new park-like setting featuring a fountain and stone wall were added in front of the new pad building and new landscaping was added throughout the shopping center.  Still forthcoming is the reconfiguration of the parking field in front of the old Giant store which will be completed in the next four to eight months.

Previously renovated in 1995, Free State Shopping Center is a Giant-anchored community shopping center located on Annapolis Road (Route 450) in Bowie, Maryland. The 281,000 square-foot center features a variety of local and national retailers, including Tuesday Morning, Blockbuster Video, Grace’s Fortune Restaurant, Sakura Japanese Steakhouse, Starbucks Coffee, Chevy Chase Bank, Rugged Wearhouse, and numerous other service providers.

Based in Chevy Chase, Maryland, JBG Rosenfeld Retail specializes in the leasing, development, acquisition, construction, and management of retail properties throughout the mid-Atlantic region.  Currently, JBGR holds 30 shopping centers, nine freestanding store sites, and numerous mixed-use retail sites in its portfolio.  For more information on the full scope of the company’s services, call (301) 657-0700, or visit www.jbgr.com.

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