Westwood Financial Corp. Signs Publix Super Markets as Co-Anchor Tenant

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Nov. 7, 2014 - PRLog -- CHARLOTTE, N.C./LOS ANGELES —  Nov. 6, 2014 — Westwood Financial Corp. (WFC), one of the largest privately held owner-operators of retail properties in the United States, has announced that Publix Super Markets has now opened as the new anchor tenant at WFC’s fully-leased Steele Creek Crossing in Charlotte, North Carolina. This lease marks one of seven Bi-Lo locations Publix has taken over in the Charlotte area.

“As retail and commercial real estate continue to trend in a positive direction nationally, the Charlotte retail market hovers at seven percent vacancy, the 39^th lowest vacancy of all major U.S. cities,” said Ken Loughran, senior vice president of asset management for WFC. “Grocery-anchored centers as well as single-tenant properties continue to be in strong demand, as Charlotte ranks in the top 10 fastest-growing cities in the U.S. Our Steele Creek Crossing shopping center is a great example of how the Charlotte market is experiencing low vacancies across the board.”

The employee-owned supermarket chain now fills the 47,000-square-foot retail space located at 12810 S. Tryon St. Steele Creek Crossing is comprised of 77,301 square feet and features a mix of regional and national tenants, including Rite Aid, Five Guys Burgers and Fries, Little Caesars, Nationwide Insurance and H&R Block.

“With its existing tenant base and ideal location within the community, Steele Creek Crossing is an ideal match for one of our newest Publix locations in Charlotte,” said Kim Reynolds, Publix media and community relations manager. “Publix joining the Steele Creek Crossing center only furthers the strong relationship we have with WFC.”

Publix is privately owned and operated by its 171,000 employees, with 2013 sales of $28.9 billion. Currently Publix has 1,087 stores in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina and North Carolina. The company has been named one of FORTUNE’s “100 Best Companies to Work For in America” for 17 consecutive years. In addition, Publix’s dedication to superior quality and customer service is recognized as tops in the grocery business, most recently by an American Customer Satisfaction Index survey. For more information, visit the company’s website, corporate.publix.com.

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About Westwood Financial Corp.

Westwood Financial Corp. is one of the largest privately held owner-operators of retail properties in the U.S., with a track record spanning over 44 years. Based in Los Angeles, with satellite offices in Atlanta, Dallas and Scottsdale, Arizona, the firm currently has a portfolio consisting of more than 115 shopping centers and retail properties in 26 metropolitan markets. For general information, please visit www.westfin.com and for leasing and property information, please visit www.westfinleasing.com.