Randall Onstead, CEO of Bi-Lo Winn-Dixie, is scheduled for his first major public appearance in Jacksonville after his first year of running the Jacksonville-based Winn-Dixie Stores Inc. chain Bi-Lo bought a year ago.
Onstead is on the agenda to speak a month from today when he takes the podium as keynote speaker May 30 at the quarterly meeting of the JAXUSA Partnership, the economic development division of the JAX Chamber.
Onstead's program is titled: "Well positioned to prosper."
Bi-Lo LLC, formerly based in Greenville, S.C., completed its merger with Jacksonville-based Winn-Dixie Stores Inc. a year ago March 9 and moved its combined headquarters to Winn-Dixie's base at 5050 Edgewood Court in West Jacksonville.
Bi-Lo Holding, the parent company of Bi-Lo and Winn-Dixie grocery stores, is the ninth-largest traditional supermarket chain in the United States. The company employs nearly 60,000 associates who serve customers in 686 grocery stores and 484 in-store pharmacies throughout the eight Southeastern states of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee.
The winndixie.com site shows that Winn-Dixie is a subsidiary of Bi-Lo Holding LLC and operates more than 480 stores and 380 in-store pharmacies in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana and Mississippi.
Check-in for the chamber event starts at 11:30 a.m. and lunch and the program begin at noon. The event is at the Hyatt Downtown. For information and registration, visit myjaxchamber.com.
While Onstead has been relatively quiet, considering Bi-Lo is privately held and Winn-Dixie is no longer a public company, his organization has been merging the two grocery chains.
He apparently is preparing for more investment in the companies.
Last week, Winn-Dixie Properties LLC sold the West Jacksonville distribution center for almost $100 million. Onstead is listed on state corporate records as the company's manager, president and CEO.
"Winn-Dixie entered into a sale-and-leaseback transaction. We will continue to occupy the facility through a lease agreement with no disruption or change in our business operations," said Brian Wright, senior director of communications.
The Daily Record reported Friday that Winn-Dixie Properties LLC sold its 15500 W. Beaver St. warehouse property to New York-based ARC WDJKVFL001 LLC.
The limited warranty deed, recorded Thursday, shows a property transaction of almost $99.8 million.
The two property parcels involved are shown as an almost 201-acre site with seven buildings and a 44.9-acre parcel of vacant land.
The sale and leaseback generates funds for other corporate use.
"Companies monetize their assets so they can re-invest in the company," Wright said.
The deed documents show the deed recording should be returned to ARC WDJKVFL001 LLC in care of American Realty Capital of Charlotte, N.C. American Realty Capital is based in New York.
American Realty Capital representatives have not returned two telephone calls seeking comment.
The americanrealtycap.com site reports that American Realty Capital's programs include public real estate investment trusts specializing in net leases; corporate sale leasebacks; retail properties, including grocery-anchored, power and lifestyle centers; and a New York City recovery fund.
It also sponsors a business development company that makes business loans to primarily middle-market private companies, and externally advises American Realty Capital Properties, a net lease property company that trades on NASDAQ.
Microsoft makes statement about St. Johns Town Center store
Microsoft Corp., identified on site plans and a building-permit application as a tenant for St. Johns Town Center, provided a statement Monday that it doesn't have an announcement.
"While we're exploring several locations for future Microsoft Stores, we have no specific new store locations to announce at this time," said a statement from Jonathan Adashek, Microsoft general manager of communications strategy.
Plans filed with the City show that Microsoft, which has about 65 full-line and specialty stores in 29 states, Canada and Puerto Rico, is considering a Microsoft Retail Store in St. Johns Town Center.
Phase 1 construction will comprise the core and shell modifications in a 4,975-square-foot location at 4791 River City Drive, No. 107.
A St. Johns Town Center representative said Monday there are discussions with Microsoft but no lease has been signed.
The Microsoft address is not far from the Apple store, which is at 4712 River City Drive and is one of the initial tenants at St. Johns Town Center, which opened in March 2005.
The core and shell modifications for Microsoft represent a $400,000 project.
A separate permit application calls for landlord work, valued at $350,000, for utilities and exterior work, at the address.
Microsoft Corp. opened its first Microsoft Retail Store in 2009 in Scottsdale, Ariz., according to the website. Microsoft is based in Redmond, Wash., near Seattle.
The stores sell computers, software, games, music, tablets and phones. The site lists product selection as "a curated assortment of products" including desktops, laptops, tablets and all-in-one PCs running Windows 8; Xbox 360 consoles and accessories, including Kinect for Xbox 360; Windows Phones; Microsoft Office; and personalization options and accessories.
The Microsoftstore.com website allows visitors to check locations in their area. Using the St. Johns Town Center ZIP code of 32246, the results show:
"We're certain it's a nice town, but at the moment there are no Microsoft Stores near you. Don't worry, we're opening new stores around the nation and one of them might be in your fine neighborhood."
Bath & Body Works renovating
Renovations were approved for the Bath & Body Works store in St. Johns Town Center.
Eckinger Construction Co. is the contractor for the interior remodeling of 2,997 square feet of existing retail tenant space at 4663 River City Drive, No. 113. The project cost is $296,916.
As reported, Victoria's Secret is remodeling and expanding its St. Johns Town Center store, taking the space of Bath & Body Works, a sister company. Because of that, Bath & Body Works is relocating.
Both are owned by Limited Brands.
The City previously approved a permit for Commercial Contractors Inc. to remodel and expand the Victoria's Secret store at 4742 River City Drive, No. 101. The 9,011-square-foot project is shown at a project cost of $705,850.
Deutsche Bank permit OK'd
The City approved the construction permit for a $450,000 renovation for Deutsche Bank at its 5022 Gate Parkway campus. The application shows the expansion for its Corporate Banking & Securities unit.
Gilbane Building Co. of Dacula, Ga., is the contractor.
The renovation is part of Deutsche Bank's pledge to create 300 jobs and expand its administrative support and investment banking functions, according to legislation approved by City Council.
The City and state approved incentives for more than $2 million for the expansion.
The company said it has 1,349 permanent jobs, so the additional positions would boost that to 1,649.
More Chase ATM locations surface
JPMorgan Chase representatives continue to decline comment about the bank's plans to open at least six area banking offices and seven separate ATMs.
Last week the sixth and seventh ATM projects surfaced in applications with the St. Johns River Water Management District for locations at Baymeadows Plaza, 3832 Baymeadows Way, and Oakleaf Town Center, 9525 Crosshill Blvd.
So far, JPMorgan Chase has filed applications with the U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency to open three bank branches in the Jacksonville area, confirming some of the plans found in other regulatory filings.
The five ATM locations already identified are at Roosevelt Marketplace, 4261 Roosevelt Blvd.; St. Johns Square, 11240 Beach Blvd.; Regency Plaza, 9840 Atlantic Blvd.; Shoppes of San Jose, 2777 University Blvd. W.; and Southside Square, 9051 Southside Blvd.
Cummer construction approved
The City approved a $2.5 million project for The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens at 829 Riverside Ave. Elkins Constructors Inc. will make the architectural improvements to the front lawn and parking lot, including structural features and site lighting.
The Cummer announced in December it would renovate and enhance its campus in a $4.5 million project.
As previously reported, the Cummer is restoring the Olmsted Garden; renovating and landscaping the front lawn to include a sculpture garden, outdoor seating for the TreeCup Café, enhanced landscaping and other features; and reconstructing the parking lots on the opposite side of Riverside Avenue.
The projects should be completed by September.
The project team consists of Elkins Constructors; CMS Group LLC; Connelly & Wicker Inc.; Atlantic Engineering Services; Sunscapes Landscape Design Inc.; Francois Goffinet Limited; and Richard Skinner & Associates Architects.
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