WEYMOUTH, Mass., July 9, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Federal Realty Investment Trust (NYSE: FRT) announces the opening of Whole Foods Market (NASDAQ: WFM), the world's leading natural and organic supermarket and America's first national certified organic grocer, at Pleasant Shops located at the intersection of Route 18 and Pleasant Valley Parkway in Norfolk County. Whole Foods Market's newest location will open with the company's traditional bread-breaking ceremony on Wednesday, July 10 at 9:45am.
"The Whole Foods Market concept is a great enhancement to Pleasant Shops," said John Hendrickson, Northeast Regional Chief Operating Officer for Federal Realty Investment Trust, "As we have seen at our other properties, Whole Foods' addition will help provide the opportunity to further enhance the additional tenancy and our long-term vision of the property." Pleasant Shops was acquired by a joint venture between Federal Realty Investment Trust and a client advised by Clarion Partners.
The 40,000 square foot store; Whole Foods Market's 23rdMassachusetts location, will employ approximately 140 full and part time team members – serving the south shore community with the highest quality groceries, produce, seafood and meats available along with restaurant-quality prepared foods that can be enjoyed in the store's cafe seating area. Unique features also include a coffee and smoothie bar with seating, pizza oven with a direct take-out phone line and an artisanal cheese room.
"Weymouth is pleased to welcome Whole Foods Market to our community. Our Healthy Wey/Mass in Motion Partnership is working to improve access to healthy food and physical activity for all who live or work in Weymouth. As we continue with Healthy Wey/Mass in Motion programs, we know we can count on Whole Foods Market," said Weymouth Mayor Susan M. Kay.
The public is welcome to be part of Whole Foods Market history, by attending the bread breaking ceremony at 9:45am. The store will officially open for business at 10am and operate daily from 8am-10pm.
For career opportunities at Whole Foods Market, interested individuals are encouraged to visit www.wholefoodsmarket.com
About Whole Foods Market®
Founded in 1980 in Austin, Texas, Whole Foods Market (wholefoodsmarket.com, (NASDAQ: WFM), is the leading natural and organic food retailer. As America's first national certified organic grocer, Whole Foods Market was named "America's Healthiest Grocery Store" by Health magazine. The company's motto, "Whole Foods, Whole People, Whole Planet"™ captures its mission to ensure customer satisfaction and health, Team Member excellence and happiness, enhanced shareholder value, community support and environmental improvement. Thanks to the company's more than 73,000 Team Members, Whole Foods Market has been ranked as one of the "100 Best Companies to Work For" in America by FORTUNE magazine for 16 consecutive years. In fiscal year 2012, the company had sales of $11.7 billion and currently has more than 340 stores in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.
About Federal Realty
Federal Realty Investment Trust is an equity real estate investment trust specializing in the ownership, management, development, and redevelopment of high quality retail assets. Federal Realty's portfolio (excluding joint venture properties) contains approximately 20 million square feet located primarily in strategically selected metropolitan markets in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and California. In addition, the Trust has an ownership interest in approximately 1.0 million square feet of retail space through a joint venture in which the Trust has a 30% interest. Our operating portfolio (excluding joint venture properties) was 95.1% leased to national, regional, and local retailers as of March 31, 2013, with no single tenant accounting for more than approximately 3.2% of annualized base rent. Federal Realty has paid quarterly dividends to its shareholders continuously since its founding in 1962, and has increased its dividend rate for 45 consecutive years, the longest record in the REIT industry. Federal Realty is an S&P MidCap 400 company and its shares are traded on the NYSE under the symbol FRT. For more information please visit www.federalrealty.com.
About Clarion Partners LLC
Clarion Partners has been a leading U.S. real estate investment manager for over 30 years. Headquartered in New York, the firm has offices in major markets throughout the U.S., in Sao Paulo, Brazil and London, England as well as a presence in Mexico. With more than $28 billion in total assets under management, Clarion Partners offers a broad range of real estate strategies across the risk/return spectrum to its more than 200 domestic and international institutional investors. More information about the firm is available at www.clarionpartners.com.
Media Inquiries
Lisa Geiger
Marketing Manager, Northeast Region
410.931.0411
lgeiger@federalrealty.com
SOURCE Federal Realty Investment Trust