Applebee's and Blink Fitness Opening Soon at Parkchester

NEW YORK, Aug. 3, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Life on the Oval just keeps getting better as MPI brings several great additions to its already successful tenant mix.  With over 12,000 residential units, the historic Parkchester community is well established as one of the best places to live in the Bronx. Offering ample convenient parking, Parkchester also boasts over 500,000 square feet of retail and service-based offerings dominating the area with major apparel, convenience, service and entertainment draws including: Macy's, New York & Co., Children's Place, Sleepy's, Walgreens, Payless Shoes, Starbucks, and Bow Tie Cinemas American Theater. MPI is proud to announce the addition of Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar and Blink Fitness.

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"MPI is committed to bringing the best shopping, dining and service offerings to the Central Bronx. To that end, we are excited to welcome Blink Fitness and Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar to our Parkchester family. We feel they will be a great addition to the community we serve and look forward to their success," says Ryan Guheen, MPI Senior Vice President of Asset Management.

Blink Fitness is scheduled to open this August in over 15,000 square feet at 1380 Metropolitan Avenue. Blink Fitness offers affordable membership options in an effort to create healthier communities by giving everyone the opportunity to incorporate fitness into their daily routine. They pride themselves on providing the best of the basics, and that means rows of top-of-the-line equipment to get you in great shape, spacious and clean facilities, TVs on cardio machines, comfortable locker rooms and best of all is the staff. At Blink they are all super friendly and always ready to help you. Blink also offers one-on-one personal training, group training programs and more. Check out their website at www.blinkfitness.com to learn more or come on into the club now for a sneak peak before opening.

Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar ®, slated to open this fall, will open their 34th NY Metro Area location on Metropolitan Oval in Parkchester. The 220 seat restaurant will employ approximately 100 people from the neighborhood.  The dining room will be decorated to reflect the rich history and heritage of the Parkchester community.  Recognizing that healthy eating is a more and more prevalent concern, the restaurant will proudly offer exclusive WeightWatchers and, their own Unbelievably Great Tasting and Under 550 Calorie dishes in a comfortable, family oriented environment.  In addition, they will offer state of the art viewing options for local sports fans.

"We are not only excited to WOW the Parkchester community with our signature favorite dishes and service but also to be able to create jobs in the neighborhood given the continued soft overall economic conditions," says Zane Tankel, CEO of Apple-Metro, Inc.

New York Metro Area Franchisee Apple-Metro, Inc. is a consecutive two-time Applebee's Franchisee of the Year, Operator of the Year, Innovator of the Year, Inc. 500/5000 Company, Multi-Unit Franchisee MVP, Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year, Frederick Douglass Medallion recipient and two-time NRA Restaurant Neighbor State Award Winner.

About MPI
MPI, Mall Properties Inc., is a privately owned real estate firm that has specialized in the development, acquisition and management of commercial real estate for over 45 years.  The close integration of investment and operating capabilities has given MPI a reputation as one of the leading private owners of commercial real estate in the country.  The company is headquartered in New York City and self-manages nearly all of its investments and partnerships through its retail, residential, office and hotel divisions. www.mpi-re.com   

SOURCE MPI, Mall Properties Inc.