Business Briefs: East Brainerd Road development delayed again

Tuesday, August 12, 2014

photo Proposed development for the 9700 block of East Brainerd Road.

The East Brainerd development proposed by local contractor Sam Issa for the 9700 block of East Brainerd Road was delayed again at Monday's planning commission meeting to let community leaders and organizers round up residents and talk about the project.

The retail and apartment development, dubbed Enclave at East Hamilton, was originally scheduled to go before planning commissioners in June, but Issa pulled it from June's agenda when planning staffers recommended the project be denied by commissioners.

Issa regrouped, hired a public relations firm and held meetings with community members going into July's planning commission meeting.

But again, a vote on the project -- on whether it satisfied community and planning commissioners' concerns, and whether it would go before the Hamilton County Commission for final approval -- was delayed.


James heads Kmart stores

Sears Holdings Corp. says Alasdair James has joined the company as president and chief member officer for its Kmart business, a new position.

James, 44, was most recently the commercial director for British supermarket giant Tesco's global business unit.

He will be responsible for Kmart's financial performance and merchandising, marketing and price strategies for its free loyalty program, Shop Your Way.

The Hoffman Estates, Ill.-based company controlled by billionaire hedge fund investor Edward Lampert, which also operates Sears stores, has been struggling to restore profitability and turn around sagging sales.