In The News

As a leader in the retail real estate industry, the experts at Baker Katz are often called on by local, regional and national media to comment on retail and development trends. Check out our latest news coverage.
Sep
08
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Finding the Right Tactics is Key for Repositioning Retail

For real estate developers and investors, a time of transition and evolution within the retail world presents abundant opportunities to capitalize by acquiring and investing in underperforming spaces. With an infusion of capital, some strategic restructuring
  • Neal Wade
  • Lunden McGill
  • RE Business Online
Sep
08
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Foot Traffic Is A Key Aspect Of Boot Barn Lease

HOUSTON—With the intent to attract more foot traffic to a newly acquired center, Boot Barn has been added to the tenant mix at Baker Katz’s Federal EastShopping Center property. The 13,250-square-foot Boot Barn will hold an
  • Lunden McGill
  • Globe St.
  • Boot Barn
Aug
07
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South African company to acquire Mattress Firm

Just when it seemed Mattress Firm’s growth had flattened, a South African company has swooped in to buy the Houston-based retailer for about $2.4 billion. Steinhoff International Holdings NV on Sunday announced it would pay $64
  • Jason Baker
  • Houston Chronicle
Jul
22
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Unique breakfast restaurant opens in Montrose

On the heels of two Austin debuts earlier this summer, Snooze: an AM Eatery on Thursday formally launched its Houston location in Montrose. The popular, decade-old, Denver-based chain restaurant soft-opened earlier this week where Interfaith Ministries
  • Jason Baker
  • Houston Chronicle
  • Snooze
Jul
19
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Momentum Indoor Climbing Breaks Ground on 36,000 sq. ft. Facility in Katy, Texas

Momentum™ Indoor Climbing, inspiring world-class climbing gyms, recently broke ground on a 36,000 square foot climbing gym in Katy, Texas. Momentum Katy sits on 2.75 acres at 25410 Katy Mills Parkway, roughly 25 miles west of
  • Ben Brown
  • The Katy News
  • Momentum Indoor Climbing
Jul
13
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Houston retail real estate remains hot despite regional chill

Retailers continue to expand in metro Houston, despite economic headwinds from the oil bust. Two years of a prolonged dip in energy prices have caused some areas of weakness in housing and auto sales, but retailers
  • Houston Chronicle
  • Kenneth Katz
Jul
12
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Sales Tax Income Indicates Draw Of Lake Jackson Retail

LAKE JACKSON, TX—Sales tax income in Lake Jackson represents a population of more than 70,000, indicating the draw of retail shopping from the area. An example of that retail draw is the recent lease by ALDI,
  • Globe St.
  • Kenneth Katz
  • Lake Jackson
Jul
01
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Baker Katz acquires 12,000 SF retail property in houston

Baker Katz has acquired a 12,000-square-foot retail building located on 40,000 square feet in the Timbergrove neighborhood of Houston. Texas supermarket chain Foodarama is the sole tenant at the property. The asset is located at 1805
  • Shopping Center Business
Jun
09
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Baker Katz redevelops Texas center

Houston-based Baker Katz has redeveloped and fully leased a retail site in Beaumont, Texas. Baker Katz principal Kenneth Katz made the announcement. Baker Katz completely redeveloped the site, beginning with demolishing the previous building with an
May
27
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Whole Foods Market adds grocery space in Westchase

Whole Foods Market is doubling its commitment to Houston’s Westchase district with a 40,000-square-foot store that is more than twice the size of the one it replaces. “This is really going to bring this area up,”
  • Jason Baker
  • Houston Chronicle
May
25
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A fresh take on ‘Retailtainment’ and future of fun

Retail has been the foundation of shopping centers throughout their existence, but new entertainment concepts are making inroads in traditional retail venues. Even in mixed-use venues, it is generally accepted that a critical mass of traditional
  • Ben Brown
  • Momentum Indoor Climbing
  • Chain Store Age
May
23
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Houston retail developer scoops up Heights-area asset at half cost

Houston-based Baker Katz LLC has joined the flock of commercial developers scooping up valuable assets at a fraction of their appraised cost. The retail brokerage purchased a 40,000-square-feet property containing a 12,000-square-foot building at 1805 Ella
May
01
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(P)RECoN: A LOOK AHEAD

For virtually everyone from shopping center executives and development professionals to retailers, financial companies and product and service providers, the annual RECon conference in Las Vegas is one of the highlights of the year. The International
May
01
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Ones to Watch

Jeff Moats, age 36, Partner, Broker, The Shopping Center Group “I have the pleasure of working with a diverse portfolio of clients and develop­ing long-term relationships with them on both a personal and professional level. Looking
  • Neal Wade
  • Chain Store Age
Apr
20
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Retail Real Estate Insights. For Retailers. By Retailers.

It is appropriate that Salt Lake City, Utah — a place that has been called “America’s Climbing City” — is home to an experiential retail concept that aims to be nothing less than America’s climbing gym:
  • Ben Brown
  • Momentum Indoor Climbing
  • Chain Store Age
Mar
31
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Updates To Help Tenant Demand At Lake Houston

Baker Katz purchased a property last year with plans to add new signage, update the parking lot and renovate the two buildings located near the cross streets of Farm to Market Road 1960 and West Lake
  • Neal Wade
  • Globe St.
  • X Team International
Mar
25
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National retailers bet on east Houston

Throughout the energy slump, retail’s remained relatively hardy. There’s still heaps of activity going on throughout Houston — take the national anchor tenant that just signed on to a 40-acre Cinco Ranch retail project or the Grand
  • Houston Business Journal
  • Jason Baker
  • Kenneth Katz
Mar
07
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High-Traffic Ship Channel Site Is Fully Leased

HOUSTON—Baker Katz acquired a property last year with plans to revamp the property into a multi-tenant destination. The property is located at the intersection of I-10 East and Haden Road in a highly trafficked business and
  • Globe St.
  • Kenneth Katz
Feb
05
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High Traffic Intersection Gets Custom-Built Retail

HOUSTON—Advance Auto Parts is soon to be located at the intersection of Farm to Market Road 1960 and Aldine Westfield Road. A 30,000-square-foot land parcel has been purchased along with a 7,000-square-foot lease put in place
  • Jason Baker
  • Globe St.
  • Kenneth Katz
  • Advance Auto Parts
  • Traci Holman
Feb
03
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Baker Katz Acquires 30,000 SF of Land, Arranges Retail Lease In Houston

HOUSTON — Houston-based Baker Katz, an X Team International partner and full-service commercial real estate brokerage firm, has purchased 30,000 square feet of land and completed a 7,000-square-foot lease on the property on behalf of Advance
  • Jason Baker
  • RE Business Online
  • Advance Auto Parts
  • Traci Holman
  • X Team International
Feb
03
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Retail Wrap: Dollar General, Advance Auto Parts and more

Highlights of real estate activity in the Houston area: Dollar General will hold a grand opening of a new store at 15625 Aldine Westfield at 8 a.m. Saturday. The first 50 adult shoppers will receive a
  • Jason Baker
  • Houston Chronicle
  • Advance Auto Parts
  • Traci Holman
Jan
07
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Retail growth remains hot amid economic chill

The economy may be softening, but developers in 2016 are set to add more new space for Houstonians to buy groceries, sporting goods and sundries than in any year since the last recession. Driving the growth
  • Jason Baker
  • Houston Chronicle
  • Grand Parkway
Dec
16
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Baker Katz Sells Northeast Houston Property

HOUSTON—Houston-based Baker Katz, an X Team International partner, has sold a 2.12-acre property with an existing 13,000-square-foot office building located near the cross streets of U.S. Highway 59 N and West Little York Road in Houston. Baker Katz
  • Neal Wade
  • Globe St.
  • Kenneth Katz
  • X Team International
Nov
25
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Baker Katz Completes Port Arthur Center

Houston-based Baker Katz has completed its 90,000-square-foot multi-tenant center in Port Arthur, with the opening of a 13,000-square-foot PetSmart. “We are proud to re-introduce this formerly vacant property to Port Arthur residents,” Kenneth Katz told GlobeSt.com.
  • Globe St.
  • Kenneth Katz
Nov
25
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Kenneth Katz: Holiday Shopping Season Predictions

Last year, the average shopper dropped $802.45 during the holiday season, according to the National Retail Federation. That’s supposed to rise this year, and Baker Katz founder Kenneth Katz expects Houston sales increases to beat the national
  • Kenneth Katz
  • BisNow
  • Bike Barn
Nov
20
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Deal of the Week: Turnaround in Tomball

Several new tenants have brought the Four Corners Shopping Center to 90 percent occupancy, the latest indication that a $10 million overhaul of the center at a major intersection in Tomball is drawing tenants. Houston-based real
  • Houston Chronicle
  • Kenneth Katz
Nov
10
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Getting Physical with e-Tailers

Alan Barocas is bullish on the business model of new General Growth Properties tenant Fabletics, which sells activewear and clothing for yoga and workouts. “It’s an ath-leisure concept that has a Lululemon fashion proposition, but at
  • Jason Baker
  • Shopping Centers Today
Nov
04
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Baker Katz Arranges 7,000 SF Lease on Behalf of Uncle Julio’s in Houston

HOUSTON — Houston-based Baker Katz has completed a 7,000-square-foot lease on behalf of Uncle Julio’s. Uncle Julio’s will be located near the intersection of I-10 West and Westgreen Boulevard. The restaurant serves Mexican food, and the
  • Jason Baker
  • retail deals
  • RE Business Online
Oct
10
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PA New Retail Intersection Nearing Completion

The signs are going up at the intersection of U.S. 69 and FM 365, signaling a retail development months in the making is getting close to completion. In February, Houston-based developer Baker-Katz announced an expansion to
  • development deals
  • Neal Wade
  • Port Arthur News
Sep
22
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Momentum Indoor Climbing Plans Katy Location

Momentum Indoor Climbing has purchased nearly 4 acres in Katy for its first location in the Houston market. The land at Kingsland Boulevard and Katy Mills Parkway will be the site of a 36,000-square-foot rock climbing facility with
  • Ben Brown
  • Houston Chronicle
  • retail deals
Sep
02
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Scout & Molly’s plans second Houston boutique

Scout & Molly’s has inked a deal for its second boutique in the Houston market in a shopping center between West University Place and Greenway Plaza. Scout & Molly’s will occupy 1,200 square feet in the Plaza in the
  • Houston Chronicle
  • Lunden McGill
Jul
31
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Building Momentum: LJ becoming a prime spot for retailers

With space available and competition growing between retailers to get in Lake Jackson and benefit from the county’s booming economy, it’s going to be more and more common to see small shopping centers pop up in
  • Neal Wade
  • The Facts
Jul
30
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Baker Katz Acquires Atascocita Acreage

Houston-based Baker Katz has acquired a 4.5-acre property with plans to renovate two existing buildings totaling 33,000 square feet located near the cross streets of Farm to Market Road 1960 and West Lake Houston Parkway in
  • property acquisitions
  • Neal Wade
  • Globe St.
  • Atascocita
Jul
02
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Baker Katz Acquires Houston Property

Houston-based Baker Katz, an X Team International partner and full-service commercial real estate brokerage firm, announced the acquisition of a 2.12-acre property with an existing 13,000-sq.-ft. office building located near the cross streets of U.S. Highway
  • development deals
  • property acquisitions
  • Neal Wade
  • Chain Store Age
Jun
30
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The Lone Star Statement

It might seem counterintuitive to suggest that Houston, the nation’s fourth most populous city, is ever in danger of being overlooked, but the reality is that, for a long time, this rapidly growing Texas metropolis has
  • Jason Baker
  • Chain Store Age
Jun
20
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Chronicle 100: New stores compete in Houston’s ‘grocery wars’

Look for the competitive local grocery scene, shaken in recent years by scrappy newcomers and established players alike, to be stirred further with the forecasted addition of more than 30 new stores in the coming year.
  • Jason Baker
  • Houston Chronicle
Jun
17
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Houston’s first Snooze, an A.M. Eatery leases space on Montrose

Space has been leased for Houston’s first-ever Snooze, an A.M. Eatery restaurant, commercial real estate firm Baker Katz announced. Snooze is a Denver-based restaurant chain founded in 2006. The restaurant brands itself as serving “creative twists”
  • Jason Baker
  • Houston Chronicle
Jun
17
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Specialty brunch bistro to open in Montrose

Houston’s early risers are getting tasty incentives not to hit that snooze button. Snooze A.M. Eatery, a Denver-based breakfast and brunch restaurant, signed a lease in Montrose for a 3,723-square-foot building at 3217 Montrose Blvd., near
  • Houston Business Journal
Jun
16
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This Week’s Houston Deal Sheet

Snooze is opening its first breakfast eatery in Houston, and eating there will serve a good cause beyond filling your belly. The Denver-based company has committed to donating 1% of sales into the community through in-kind
  • Jason Baker
  • Real Estate BisNow
Jun
08
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June Issue: Energy–Fuel Gauge

During the past few years, the United States has leapfrogged into the top spot among the world’s oil and gas producers. The driving force has been the expansion of hydraulic fracturing technology, which has generated new
  • Kenneth Katz
  • Commercial Property Executive
Jun
02
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This Week’s Houston Deal Sheet

Baker Katz purchased Federal East Shopping Center and is preparing a significant renovation. The 106k SF shopping center is just off I-10 in east Houston. Baker Katz development partner Neal Wade led the acquisition and says
  • Neal Wade
  • Real Estate BisNow
Jun
01
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Baker Katz adding to east Houston retail portfolio

Houston retail firm Baker Katz has made another eastside acquisition with the purchase of Federal East Shopping Center 9 miles east of downtown. “This highly visible property has been underutilized and is well-suited for redevelopment,” the company’s
  • Neal Wade
  • Houston Chronicle
  • Kenneth Katz
Jun
01
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HOT RETAILER ALERT: NATURAL PAWZ

Natural Pawz just opened its 16th Houston location, and it’s continuing its growth plans both locally and (for the first time) outside of Houston. Baker Katz’s Ben Brown is repping the company and tells us it
  • Ben Brown
  • Natural Pawz
May
22
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Northeast Houston in store for rapid transformation

Ted Mandel calls himself a “city boy at heart” even though he lives in suburban Kingwood, 30 miles from downtown. He arrived decades ago via New York City and Los Angeles, drawn by the reputation of
  • Jason Baker
  • Houston Chronicle
May
22
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Insiders Share Coast-to-Coast Insights

A visitor to RECon this week could tour real estate markets around the country without ever setting foot outside the Las Vegas Convention Center. Amid the customary whirl of dealmaking, educational sessions and social events, some
  • Kenneth Katz
  • Commercial Property Executive
May
16
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Real Estate Transactions

Sales Office JEKA Ventures has purchased the Gateway Building, a recently constructed three-story building with 23,051 square feet at 26865 Interstate 45 in Spring. Lisa Hughes of the J. Beard Real Estate Co. represented the seller,
  • Houston Chronicle
May
11
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Ethnic centers: Latino lessons

Hispanic incomes are soaring, leading more developers and retailers to target the burgeoning ethnic group. Arturo Sneider, co-founding partner and CEO of Los Angeles–based Primestor Development, recalls a time when shopping centers that focused on Latinos
  • Shopping Centers Today
  • Kenneth Katz
May
11
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Baker Katz, Lovett Commercial Arranges Sale of Retail Property in Houston

Houston-based Baker Katz, in collaboration with Lovett Commercial, has completed the sale of a 13,013-square-foot retail property in Houston. The building, currently occupied by a CVS Pharmacy, rests on over one acre located at 15411 Wallisville
  • RE Business Online
May
10
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Baker Katz Completes Redevelopment

Baker Katz has completed the renovation of a 90,000-square-foot retail center in Port Arthur. Located at the corner of Highway 69 and FM 365, Baker Katz transformed the single-tenant building into a multi-tenant center, with interior and exterior property renovations as well as added
  • development deals
  • Texas Real Estate Business
May
10
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Competition Remains Fierce In Grocery Sector

The grocery sector is as hot as it has ever been in Texas, with several competitors looking to gain a larger market share in the Lone Star State. As the state’s population and economy continue to expand, companies working to meet the
  • Jason Baker
  • Texas Real Estate Business
May
10
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Baker Katz Acquires 30,000 SF Restaurant Property

Houston-based Baker Katz has acquired the 30,000-square- foot former Baytown Seafood restaurant in Houston. The property is located at the intersection of I-10 East and Haden Road. Baker Katz plans to demolish the current build- ing
  • development deals
  • property acquisitions
  • Texas Real Estate Business
Apr
30
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HOT MARKETS, HOT GROWTH CONCEPTS

Co-authored by X Team International partners Julie Solomon of Atlanta-based The Trilogy Group, LLC; James McCandless and Herb Heiserman of Washington, D.C.-based Streetsense; David Larson of Denver-based Legend Retail Group; and Jason Baker of Houston-based Baker
  • Jason Baker
  • Chain Store Age
  • X-Team
Apr
29
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Grocery icon Fiesta has new owners

Fiesta Mart, founded in Houston four decades ago to cater to Hispanic grocery shoppers, has had to fight for market share in recent years amid fierce competition for those same customers. Now, in a deal that could
  • Jason Baker
  • Houston Chronicle
Apr
24
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Another grocery option coming to Westchase

Trader Joe’s is planning to open its fifth Houston location at 11683 Westheimer Road, the Houston Business Journal learned, which will bring the grocer into an area that’s already heavily dotted with big-name grocery chains. The
  • Houston Business Journal
  • Jason Baker
Apr
17
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Munici-Pals

Working with municipalities to seal retail deals is a win-win for many retailers and cities. By X Team International Partners David Larson and Kenneth Katz   The ability to work closely and collaboratively with cities and
  • Shopping Center Business
  • Kenneth Katz
  • X-Team
Apr
03
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Deal of the Week: Retail center to replace Baytown Seafood

Houston-based Baker Katz has acquired the Baytown Seafood restaurant in east Houston and plans to replace it with a new shopping center. “It’s a site that we have had our eye on for years,” said Kenneth
  • Neal Wade
  • Houston Chronicle
  • Kenneth Katz
Mar
31
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Baker Katz Expands Commercial Team

Ben Brown has joined Baker Katz as a commercial real estate broker. Brown previously oversaw leasing, represented several retailers and sourced development opportunities as the executive vice president of Retail Properties Group. His career also includes
  • Ben Brown
  • CoStar
Mar
11
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Baker Katz Acquires 30,000 SF Property in Houston

Houston-based Baker Katz has acquired the 30,000-square-foot former Baytown Seafood restaurant in Houston. The property is located at the intersection of I-10 East and Haden Road. Baker Katz plans to demolish the current building and construct
  • development deals
  • property acquisitions
  • Texas Real Estate Business
Mar
11
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Baker Katz acquires former Baytown Seafood site

Baker Katz, an X Team International partner and full-service commercial real estate brokerage firm, announced the acquisition of the former Baytown Seafood establishment situated on 30,000 sq. ft. of land in Houston. The property is located
  • property acquisitions
  • Neal Wade
  • Chain Store Age
Feb
27
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Northeast Houston’s lack of identity stymies development, experts say

When you hear “The Woodlands,” you might think the new Exxon Mobil Corp. (NYSE: XOM) campus, which is technically in Springwoods Village, or high-end homes and retail. When you think Katy, you might think great schools
  • Houston Business Journal
  • Jason Baker
Feb
26
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Developers stir ‘sleeping giant’ in northeast Houston

Houston’s housing market over the last few decades has expanded largely to the north, west and even south. Now the northeast, long considered a “sleeping giant,” may be ready for a growth spurt of its own.
Feb
25
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BAKER KATZ COMPLETES REDEVELOPMENT OF SHOPPING CENTER IN PORT ARTHUR, TEXAS

Port Arthur, Texas Baker Katz has completed the renovation of a 90,000-square-foot retail center in Port Arthur. Baker Katz transformed the single-tenant building into a multi-tenant center, with interior and exterior property renovations as well as added
  • development deals
  • Shopping Center Business
Feb
23
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A ton of bricks

Not only are this year’s expanding retailers scrambling to keep pace with the fastest-changing industry landscape in history, they are also squaring off against increasing numbers of global competitors. Absent from most of today’s business models
Feb
05
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Office Depot – Staples deal will change big-box landscape

And then there was one. Pending regulatory approval, Staples is prepping to become the only office-supply retail game in town after announcing its intent on Wednesday to swallow up Office Depot, which about a year ago
Dec
02
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Baker Katz Negotiates Five Chipotle Leases

Houston-based Baker Katz, an X Team International partner and full-service commercial real estate brokerage firm specializing in retail tenant representation, investment sales, and project development and leasing, announced that it has negotiated five Chipotle leases in
Nov
14
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Consumer confidence high as Houstonians enter holiday season

Houstonians bounced back from the recession earlier than much of the nation. They found more and higher paying jobs, and the value of their homes shot through the roof. Now, they seem more inclined to get
Aug
14
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INFILLING STATION

Houston’s ongoing retail development evolution is evident in new leasing trends and patterns of urban infill The story of Houston, Texas has added some exciting new chapters in recent years. With low unemployment, a booming economy and one
  • Jason Baker
  • Kenneth Katz
  • market trends
  • Chain Store Age
  • Houston landscape
Aug
08
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American Melting Pot

Houston’s Hispanic population is at the heart of the city’s retail evolution. The second of a three part series. A city with a booming population, one of the nation’s lowest unemployment figures, and an expanding presence
  • Jason Baker
  • Kenneth Katz
  • Chain Store Age
  • diversity
Aug
06
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BAKER KATZ COMPLETES D&B LEASE

HOUSTON–Baker Katz, a full-service commercial real estate brokerage firm that provides tenant representation, project development, and leasing and investment services in Houston, has completed the lease of a 40,000-square-foot Dave & Buster’s in Friendswood thanks to
  • retail deals
  • Globe St.
  • X-Team
Aug
02
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Baker Katz Begins Construction

Baker Katz Begins Construction on 7,600 SF Retail Center TOMBALL, TEXAS — Houston-based Baker Katz has begun construction on the company’s retail center in Tomball, approximately 33 miles northwest of Houston. The property, which was purchased
  • development deals
  • RE Business Online
Jul
24
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Houston’s Mission: Control

Retail development amidst the ongoing emergence of an iconic national city The first of a three-part exclusive series To the extent that it can be said about the nation’s fourth most populous city, Houston has been
  • Jason Baker
  • Kenneth Katz
  • market trends
  • Grocery
  • Chain Store Age
Jul
18
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Hot Retailer Alert: Mattress One

Mattress One is exploding through the Houston metro; Baker Katz’s Clay Albers inked 16 leases totaling 60k SF here in the first half of this year alone. Clay tells us the brand entered the Texas market (beginning
  • retail deals
  • Real Estate BisNow
May
24
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Slicing the Retail Pie

The retail real estate industry has new decision-making tools, but harder choices By Kenneth Katz and Jeff Green Back in January, we looked at the role big data is playing in providing retailers with more tools
  • Shopping Center Business
  • Kenneth Katz
  • industry tools
May
16
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Changing Perceptions

By Jason Baker & Dave Chetham Toward the end of 2008, it became painstakingly obvious to retailers that impulse spending was out and frugal saving was in. Faced with an imminent recession, staggering job loss and quickly
  • Jason Baker
  • market trends
  • Chain Store Age
  • discount retail
Apr
09
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Why Hispanics Are A Key Market In Houston’s Grocery Wars

If Houston retailers are going to survive the grocery store wars over the next five years, they need to start marketing and catering more to the Hispanic population, says an industry expert. In the past 14
  • Houston Business Journal
  • Jason Baker
  • Grocery
Apr
04
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Baker Katz Buys 4 Properties

Baker Katz Buys 4 Properties in Houston Metro Area Houston, Texas — Baker Katz has acquired four retail properties throughout the greater Houston area — in the neighboring cities of Port Arthur, Lake Jackson, Beaumont and
  • development deals
  • Chain Store Age
Apr
03
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Expert: Hispanic Consumers Should Be Houston Grocers’ Target

Houston retailers should target the growing Hispanic consumer population over the next five years to boost their competitiveness, minding details such as shelf height, music and other things that go beyond product selection and advertising, says
  • Houston Business Journal
  • Jason Baker
  • Grocery
  • Smartbrief