RETAIL BRIEFS: RKF WELCOMES JOE BANANAS TO THE US; ISA SERVES UP ANOTHER BAKED BY MELISSA SHOP | REAL ESTATE WEEKLY
●ISA REALTY GROUP Bite-sized baking phenom Baked by Melissa has opened another New York store as the company expands its product offering an eyes further growth. Isa Realty Group brokered the lease for a 550 s/f inline space at 208 East 86th Street that was formerly occupied by Organic Avenue. Isa director Louis Franco and colleague Joseph Isa represented both tenant and building owner. “The timing couldn’t be better for Baked By Melissa to enter this dynamic corridor with Ulta Cosmetics recently opening their Manhattan flagship just steps away,” said Franco. Baked By Melissa signed a lease directly next door to Lush Cosmetics on what is considered a seven day a week, night and day corridor and one of the busiest retail stretches in New York City. Baked by Melissa was founded in 2008 by laid-off marketing executive Melissa Ben-Ishay. the bakery now has 14 locations in the greater New York City area, including one in JFK Airport, ships nationwide and expects double-digit sales growth next year.