Suddenly summer: The real work continues

All of us who pounded the concrete of the Las Vegas Convention Center in May for the International Council of Shopping Centers' RECon meeting are now recovered (we hope), and the real work continues! This year's show was busy, busy, busy with the highest attendance since the downturn - and with a lot of interest in and around New York City. With Brookfield's and Westfield's developments in FiDi, Thor Equities' plans around the city, and even more projects under way, my team and I were running from morning until midnight. Look for some major deals from us - and, alas, others - soon! New Yorkers will be ready for them. The June Beige Book from the Federal Reserve Board reports continued moderate growth in and around our city. Weaker sales in April (which I credit to the Easter shift, as well as cooler weather) picked up again in May. The city, as usual, outperformed suburban centers upstate, likely due in no small part to ongoing growth in tourism. Already strong hotel business in April was even better in May. And the Consumer Confidence index for the Mid-Atlantic states was at its highest levels in more than a year! There already are some major new stores and restaurants open for the eager shopper. Camper's fourth store in the city has opened at 522 Fifth Ave. La Sirena, the much-loved Mexican folk art store, plans to relocate from 27 East Third St. in the near future, but is looking to stay in the neighborhood, say published reports. Custom shirtmaker Manuel Racim has come to 44 Hudson St. Cosmetic line Orogold's shop at 118 East 57th St. made a glittering debut on June 16. Denim & Supply, from Ralph Lauren, came to New York at 99 University Place on May 23rd. B Spa Bar, Diana Seo's unique combination of medical and Eastern skin care methods, has opened a second location at 190 Allen St. Canada's Big Smoke Burger will bring poutine to 70 Seventh Ave., its New York City debut. The events front continues nonstop, too. There may still be time to attend the first of NYCREW's Leading Ladies in Real Estate Summer Breakfast Series, being held Wednesday, June 26th at 8:30 a.m. at the offices of Akerman Senterfitt, 666 Fifth Ave. My friend and fellow NYCREW board member Annemarie DiCola, CEO of Trepp LLC will be the guest speaker. The next event in the program, on July 24th at the same time and location, will feature Robbin Orbison, CEO of Silverstein Properties. These are always a great way to start the day! For more information, contact www.nycrew.org. August is about giving. I'm honored to once again co-chair the annual "Women of Valor" Tea for the St. Francis Food Pantries and Shelters, which feeds over 10,000 families around the tri-state area and fills other critical needs as clothing and counseling. The luncheon and tea will be held Thursday, August 1st from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Waldorf-Astoria. For more information, visit http://stfrancispantries.org/fundraising/women-of-valor-awards-tea/index.html In the fall, I'll be speaking on "Bye-bye BRICS, Welcome Oz: Retail Globalization" at the fifth annual NYC Real Estate Expo, being held October 8th at the New York Hilton. This conference has grown rapidly to be one of the premier events in real estate in the city, and I can't wait to give my views on where the new stores around town are coming from, and where they're going! For more information, visit www.nycrealestateexpo.com. Happy shopping! Faith Hope Consolo, is the chairman, the retail group at Douglas Elliman Real Estate, New York, N.Y.