News Briefs

[READ MORE: Guitar Center shifts enterprise systems to the cloud]

Founded in 1959 and based in Westlake Village, Calif., Guitar Center operates more than 300 stores across the U.S.

Whitestone REIT has acquired its fifth neighborhood center in Austin’s most affluent submarket, close by the headquarters of Apple, Tesla, and other tech companies along Loop 360, one of the city’s most highly trafficked motor routes.

The 32,000-sq.-ft., restaurant-anchored San Clemente at Davenport center will join Whitestone’s Davenport Village development in serving residents in Davenport Beach, Westlake, Rob Roy, and Barton Creek, where household incomes average $280,000.

“This center has all of the dynamics we look for, including strong surrounding schools, a community with a robust job market and upwardly mobile families,” said Christine Mastandrea. Whitestone’s president and COO.

The center tenant mix includes Fresa’s, a local Mexican favorite with a welcoming atmosphere and outdoor patio that anchors the property, Iron Fitness, a state-of-the-art training and fitness facility, and Greenlake Energy, an emerging energy technology company.

The Houston-based Whitestone owns, operates, and develops more than 40 neighborhood centers in fast-growing markets such as Phoenix, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, and San Antonio.

Vince Holding Corp. has been warned. 

The luxury apparel retailer is facing a potential delisting from the New York Stock Exchange. On May 6, the NYSE sent a notice to the company that it did not meet continued listing standards, which require the company’s 30-trading day average market capitalization to be at least $50 million and its stockholders’ equity to be at least $50 million.

As of May 5, Vince’s 30-trading day average market capitalization was approximately $22.6 million, and its last reported stockholders’ equity, as of Feb. 1, 2025, was approximately $41.8 million. Vince has 45 days (from receipt of the notice) to submit to NYSE a business plan that demonstrates compliance with the standards. If the company fails to meet the listing standards, its shares could be delisted from the NYSE. 

Vince operates through 44 full-price retail stores, 14 outlet stores, an e-commerce site and through premium wholesale channels globally. Earlier this year, P180 bought majority control of the brand from Sun Capital. 

[READ MORE: Vince acquired; former CEO to return]

A leading online pet supplies retailer will soon be on the hunt for a new finance chief.

David Reeder, CFO of Chewy Inc., will be departing the company in several months to return to the semiconductor industry as a CEO. Reeder joined the company in February 2024, and is responsible for leading Chewy’s financial activities, including strategic planning, operations, accounting, reporting, investments, and overseeing all financial functions.

With more than 20 years of experience in finance, Reeder held previous leadership roles at Tower Insurance Group, Lexmark International, Inc., Electronics and Imaging, Inc., and held executive roles at Cisco Systems, Inc., Broadcom Inc., and Texas Instruments Incorporated before joining Chewy.

“We appreciate David’s contributions during his time at Chewy and thank him for his leadership as we advanced our strategic, long-term growth initiatives,” said Sumit Singh, CEO of Chewy. “As discussed on our March 26 earnings call, our long-term plan remains intact, our business momentum remains strong, and we are reaffirming our guidance for the first quarter. David will remain as CFO through our next earnings announcement in June and assist with an orderly transition as we undertake a search for his successor. We wish David the very best as he prepares to return to the semiconductor industry, where he has spent much of his career in leadership positions.”

[READ MORE: Chewy enhances retail media network]

On its website, Chewy offers approximately 130,000 pet products from national and private brands, including pet supplements, food, accessories and more. Last spring, the company opened its first brick-and-mortar veterinary care practices.

Eataly is expanding its footprint in New York City with its first-ever U.S. airport locations and a new format.

The popular Italian food marketplace will open three locations — in Terminals 4, 5 and 8 — at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City sometime this year. The outposts will be operated by HMSHost.

“Eataly will offer travelers a taste of the authentic Italian lifestyle, serving iconic Italian dishes from antipasti to pasta and pizza with a wide selection of Italian wine,” HMSHost, a division of global travel retail group, said in a statement.

In addition, Eataly will debut a quick-service concept, called Eataly Caffé, on Thursday, May 15, at Rockefeller Center. A second location is set to open in June, at The Shops & Restaurants at Hudson Yards.  

The new concept is designed for folks on the go, and will offer espresso beverages, freshly baked pastries, Roman-style pizza, panini, salads, soups, gelato and other ready-to-eat items. It will also feature app-based ordering with real-time tracking and an integrated loyalty program.

Eataly currently has over 50 stores worldwide, including 13 North American locations. 

Nothing Bundt Cakes has reached a new milestone as it continues to expand its footprint.

The Dallas-based specialty cake company has opened its 700th bakery with a new location in Rosenberg, Texas, a suburb of Houston. The new opening marks the 40th for Nothing Bundt Cakes in 2025. Last year, the chain opened 101 locations, reaching 600 stores by June.

Nothing Bundt Cakes, which currently operates in more than 40 states and Canada, has the goal of reaching 1,000 locations by 2027.

"With the great desire guests have to show care and kindness to their loved ones and colleagues, coupled with the rising trend of Gen Z enjoying 'little treats' and the snackification of the American diet, Nothing Bundt Cakes is growing faster than ever," said Nothing Bundt Cakes CEO Dolf Berle, who has led the company since 2023. "We have been able to drive business forward by elevating celebratory occasions leveraging the 'treat yourself' trend – something our cakes have been doing since we opened our first bakery more than 25 years ago.”

[READ MORE: Nothing Bundt Cakes adds to C-suite; eyes 1,000 locations by 2027]

Nothing Bundt Cake credits flavor innovations and an ongoing digital transformation for its ongoing growth. The chain has introduced pop-up flavors like Churro Dulce de Leche, available exclusively in personal-sized "Bundtlet" cakes, and added innovative limited-time partnerships with brands like Oreo and Reese’s.

Nothing Bundt Cake was recently named America's No. 1 favorite brand overall in Technomics review of restaurant food chains across the country, and was also recognized as Yelp's fifth-fastest growing brand in America in its most recent list.