RG Properties, the developer of Austin Landing, has secured a deal with locally-owned Jack’s Pets to open a 5,000 square feet store at Austin Landing this fall.

“We are extremely pleased to be able to welcome another strong, local business to Austin Landing,” said Misty Sirch, director of retail portfolio management for RG Properties.

The new store will feature Jack’s new format, which includes state-of-the-art fixtures, enhanced graphics and a self-service pet wash.  The format, which Jack’s has successfully implemented at seven other stores, was designed to provide a warm and welcoming feel to both pets and their owners, according to Scott Brenner, president of Jack’s Pets.

Scott Brenner, president of Jack’s Pets, said Austin Landing was a great fit for the direction the company is heading.

“We are excited to join a diversified list of retailers and restaurants in the Austin Landing development, which differentiates Austin Landing from the traditional strip centers,” Brenner said.

Jack’s will locate within the southeast corner of the development, where TJ Maxx and Home Goods will occupy 45,000 square feet. Construction on the new Jack’s store is set to run concurrently with the construction of TJ Maxx and HomeGoods. The new store is on track to open in October and will have 12 to 15 employees.

The deal to locate at Austin Landing follows a flurry of growth for Jack’s, which opened three stores in 2012, and is opening another three stores this year. Jack’s also is adding 30,000 square feet to its distribution center in Beavercreek and building a new location in Beavercreek set to open June 2013.

“Jack’s is known for its community involvement, and it’s great to see the company continue to grow within the region,” Sirch said. “We are excited they’ve chosen to join the growing list of retailers who are becoming a part of the Austin Landing community.”

“We are pleased to be able to announce this exciting addition to Austin Landing,” said Misty Sirch, director of retail portfolio management for RG Properties, the developer of Austin Landing. “TJ Maxx and HomeGoods are welcome additions for that piece of the village focused on value retail.”

TJX, the parent company for TJ Maxx and HomeGoods, signed a lease for 45,000 square feet to house both stores. TJ Maxx will occupy roughly half that space, and HomeGoods will occupy the other half. Construction already is underway for the project, and the stores are aiming for a September opening.

TJX has been following a trend of co-locating stores so the company can capitalize on the stores’ proximity to each other and shared customer base.  Along with their decision to bring a new HomeGoods to the South Dayton market, the company also decided it would be beneficial to relocate its TJ Maxx store, currently located on Springboro Pike, to the Austin Landing development as well, so the stores could be integrated.

The stores will be located within the southeast corner of the development, south of Kohl’s, where RG Properties is currently focusing on developing approximately 77,000 square feet of retail space, along with three restaurants.

Sirch said she thought the highly visible location would be a huge advantage for the retailers in attracting potential customers.

“Traffic along Austin Boulevard already has far exceeded our initial expectations,” Sirch said. “We are confident the location of TJ Maxx and HomeGoods will benefit them in reaching their target market and benefit the village, by allowing us to offer a wide range of retail choices to the community.”

News of the signed leases comes on the heels of the earlier announcements that BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse and Panera Bread also will locate at Austin Landing this year.

Sirch said the developer also is nearing deals with other retailers for Austin Landing.

“It’s been a popular spot,” Sirch said. “Retailers are seeing the potential Austin Landing offers. They are looking to capitalize on the captive market that drives by or works here daily. More and more, retailers are realizing that our workforce is largely time starved and by bringing the workforce and retailers together, we are satisfying that issue. We expect to have more exciting announcements in the near future.”