Commercial Construction & Renovation

The fast-casual burger chain Shake Shack has returned to unit development, opening nine new stores so far this year with plans to open 15 to 20 new locations by the end of the year. Read the Restaurant Business online story …

The new Hampton Inn Buffalo-Amherst in New York boasts the nation’s first certification for total access to guests of all abilities. Features of the $14.4 million property include bathrooms with roll-in showers, low-placed thermostats and absence of steps. Read The …

The new, $50 million Lakeside Lodge in Seneca, South Carolina, near Clemson University has sold almost two-thirds of its $200,000 to $800,000 condo units, which can double as hotel-style college game day accommodations with lockable doors for every unit’s bedroom …

Nike is set to open its first European House of Innovation store in Paris today. The four-story location in a historic building on the Avenue des Champs-Elysees was four years in the making and will offer an immersive digital experience …

Amazon, Publix, Wegmans, Costco and Kroger have been ranked in the Top 10 among US companies for the reputations they built with their responses to the pandemic, a new Axios Harris Poll shows.  Read the Progressive Grocer story here

McDonald’s will join with the Mayo Clinic to get best practices for safely opening up and operating restaurants during the pandemic. The chain also announced plans to set diversity goals for its employees, franchisees and suppliers and track progress to …

A recently opened hotel and two upcoming properties, including one on Apple Inc.’s planned new campus, bolster the struggling hospitality industry in Austin, Texas. The city gave approval in April to Apple’s proposal for a $1 billion companion to its …

Mandates enforcing social distancing, mask-wearing and reduced capacity may be affecting the appeal of shopping malls, but experts say consumers will eventually return to their social instincts and see the value of having many retailers in one location. One trend …

ALDI has chosen Baldwin County, Alabama, as the site for its new $100 million distribution and regional headquarters, a facility that will ship products to more than 80 stores when it opens in 2022. The company also plans to open …

One Jimmy John’s franchisee gave his stores a 27-point checklist to keep both patrons and workers safe while operating in-store dining. Cleanliness measures included adding sanitizer to lobbies, pressure washing sidewalks and furniture and replacing uniforms. Read the QSR magazine …