First Washington Realty has expanded its Midwest retail holdings with the acquisition of two grocery-anchored shopping centers in Minnesota and Missouri. The combined value of the transaction exceeds $65 million, adding scale to the firm’s portfolio of necessity-based retail assets in the region.
The larger of the two properties, The Village of Blaine, totals 220,685 square feet of grocery-anchored retail space. The center is located in Blaine and is described as being within one of the fastest-growing areas of the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area. Its position in a growth corridor gives it access to a broad and expanding consumer base, supported by nearby residential neighborhoods and regional destinations.
The Village of Blaine benefits from proximity to several major demand drivers in the northern portion of the metro. These include the National Sports Center, a significant regional athletic complex, TPC Twin Cities, a championship golf venue, and Aveda’s corporate headquarters, which is also located in Blaine. This concentration of recreational, corporate and visitor traffic contributes to steady footfall and diversified customer flows for the center’s tenants.
The second property in the acquisition, Liberty Corners, comprises 124,808 square feet of retail space and is anchored by a 56,000-square-foot Cosentino’s Price Chopper grocery store. The grocery anchor positions the center as a regular shopping destination for local residents and helps drive repeat visits throughout the week.
Beyond its primary grocery anchor, Liberty Corners features a mix of personal services and restaurant tenants. Named tenants at the center include Chipotle Mexican Grill and The Big Biscuit, expanding the property’s draw across different dayparts and consumer needs. The center also benefits from strong visibility and traffic along a major state highway, enhancing access and exposure for its retailers and service providers.
Commenting on the acquisition, Amrit Chase, senior vice president of investments at First Washington Realty, described both The Village of Blaine and Liberty Corners as essential retail destinations within their respective communities. Chase noted that the company is pleased to add two established grocery-anchored centers to its portfolio, underscoring the firm’s focus on properties that serve as day-to-day shopping hubs for surrounding neighborhoods.
With these additions in Minnesota and Missouri, First Washington Realty continues to build its presence in the Midwest retail sector, concentrating on centers that combine grocery anchors, supporting service tenants and strong traffic fundamentals. The transaction reinforces ongoing institutional interest in well-located, grocery-anchored shopping centers that demonstrate durable customer demand and integration into local community routines.
