Federated Department Stores, Inc. (212-704-3300) is opening a three-floor Macy’s location at the Connecticut Post mall in Milford, CT.

Cost Plus World Market (510-893-7300) plans to open four stores in MN. Locations in Bloomington, Minnetonka and Woodbury will open in portions of buildings formerly occupied by HomePlace stores. A location in Roseville will occupy a former Just For Feet location. The retailer of wicker furniture, rugs and wine operates more than 150 locations in 19 states.

Ross Stores Inc. (510-505-4400) is opening two locations in the Atlanta, GA market. A 30,000 sq.ft. Ross ‘Dress For Less’ will open at the Cumming Marketplace shopping center in Forsyth County and a 30,000 sq.ft. location will open at the Henry Town Center in Henry County.

Target Corp. (612-370-6948) is opening a store in Bellevue, WI during October. During March 2003, the company will open a 126,000 sq.ft. location on a 10-acre site at the Glenbrook Center in Hendersonville, TN. In addition, a Target store is under construction in Montclair, CA. Also, a SuperTarget is expected to open this October in Lakeville, MN. The company operates more than 1,000 stores in 47 states.

O’Charley’s, Inc. (615-256-8500) is planning to open an 8,000 sq.ft. Stoney River Legendary Steaks location in Franklin, TN during the fourth quarter of 2002 or the first quarter of 2003. The company operates three O’Charley’s upscale steakhouses in the Atlanta, GA and Chicago, IL markets.

Wawa, Inc. (610-358-8000) plans to expand into Prince William County, VA. About 50 Wawa convenience stores are expected to open in the region during the next five years. The company operates more than 500 locations in DE, MD, NJ, PA and VA.

Dillard’s Inc. (501-376-5200) is opening a 126,000 sq.ft. home store at a former Jacobson’s location at the 1.1 million sq.ft. Franklin Park mall in Toledo, OH. The company currently operates a 186,000 sq.ft. department store location at the mall.

The Kroger Co. (513-762-4000) plans to open two Kroger supermarkets in the metro Atlanta, GA area. A 47,000 sq.ft., L-shaped store is under construction at the intersection of Atlanta Road and North Church Lane in Vinings. The store is expected to open during early 2003. A 36,800 sq.ft. store is under construction at Brookwood Place in South Buckhead.

Landry’s Restaurants Inc. (713-850-1010) plans to expand the Big Fish restaurant concept that the company recently acquired from C.A. Muer Corp. A location is expected to open in Houston, TX. Currently, three Big Fish seafood bistros operate in MI and NJ.

Archibald’s (205-562-9911) is opening an 800 sq.ft. restaurant at 6601 Buttermilk Road in Cottondale, AL. The barbecue restaurant operates one additional location in Northport, AL. Long-term plans call for two additional openings during the next five years.

Damon’s International, Inc. (614-442-7900) is opening several locations in the Pittsburgh, PA area. The casual-dining restaurant chain operates more than 140 company and franchised locations worldwide.

Barnes & Noble, Inc. (212-633-3300) is opening a 23,000 sq.ft. store at the intersection of 46th Street and West Walnut Street at the Scottsdale Center in Rogers, AR during October. During November, the company will open three stores: a 25,000 sq.ft. store at 25 Hazard Avenue in Enfield, CT; a 24,000 sq.ft. store at the intersection of Route 127 and Route 59 at the Kensington Center in Plainfield, IL and a 22,500 sq.ft. store at the intersection of Mission Gorge and Cuyamaca at Trolley Square in Santee, CA. During March 2003, a 23,000 sq.ft. Barnes & Noble store will open at the intersection of East Market Street and Burgess Road in Harrisonburg, VA.

Walgreens Co. (847-914-2500) plans to convert a former Good Guys electronics store in Portland, OR to a drug store location. The company operates more than 3,600 stores in 43 states.

Dollar General (615-855-4000) will open four stores in NE during April and May. Stores opening in Imperial, Geneva and Tecumseh are former Country General store locations. The retailer of discount general merchandise operates more than 5,500 stores in 27 states.

Holiday RV Superstores, Inc. (954-522-9903) is opening a dealership in Las Vegas, NV during the third quarter of fiscal 2002, which ends in October 2002. The Las Vegas location will be the company’s first in NV. The retailer of recreational vehicles and boats operates 11 locations in CA, FL, KY, NM, SC, VA and WV.

Panera Inc. (314-633-7100) opened a Panera Bread location at the Riverplace Shopping Center in Mandarin, FL last month and plans to open another Mandarin location this year. The bakery/cafe chain operates more than 360 locations in 30 states.

Fred’s Inc. (901-362-3733) plans to open about 60 stores during fiscal 2002, which ends in February 2003. The company operates 385 discount general merchandise stores in the U.S.

Applebee’s International, Inc. (913-967-4000) is proposing to open an Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar restaurant at the Southside Mall by September. The restaurant chain operates and franchises more than 1,400 locations nationwide.

Claire’s Stores, Inc. (954-433-3900) plans to open 195 stores this year: 60 Claire’s Accessories and five Icing by Claire’s stores in North America and 130 stores throughout Europe. The company operates about 3,000 Claire’s Accessories, Icing by Claire’s and Mr. Rags stores in the U.S., the Caribbean, Puerto Rico, Canada, the U.K., Ireland, Switzerland, Austria, Germany and France.

Nordstrom Inc. (888-282-6060) is proposing to build a store at the 1.3 million sq.ft. Arrowhead Towne Center in Glendale, AZ. The company operates more than 130 stores in the U.S.

Trader Joe’s Co. (626-599-3700) is considering opening a store at a former Apple Market location in east Petaluma, CA. The company operates more than 130 upscale grocery stores, offering health foods, organic produce and nutritional supplements in more 15 states.