News Briefs

+ Costco reels in applications for store
Costco, which opened Aug. 17, received more than 4,000 job applications in total for 180 jobs, said Manager Scott Christensen at a recent Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce event.

Christensen says the chain received at least 400 transfer requests from current Costco employees worldwide seeking a job at the Sarasota store.

The 180 available jobs were broken down 50/50: half went to local applicants, while half went to employees within the company to fill specific experience positions.

Christensen adds that Costco, which doesn’t disclose individual store sales, has exceeded expectations with the Sarasota location. Sales so far are 15% over budget, and the store has signed up 19,000 members since August — a record for new Costco openings in the Southeast region.

+ Sarasota sculptor honored in Boston
Sarasota resident sculptor Dennis Kowal is being honored with a permanent home for his sculpture, “Constellations,” which was the result of a partnership between the Boston Institute of Contemporary Art, the MBTA and the NEA.

“Constellations” was recently installed and dedicated at the Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston, according to a press release.

Created in 1972, “Constellations” stands over 8 feet tall and is constructed in 4-inch-thick Corten steel. Kowal’s other work throughout the Boston area may be seen at the Federal Reserve Bank, DeCordova Museum, Boston University, Babson College and Mount Holyoke College.

+ Trader Joe’s building changes ownership
A trust of Cole Real Estate Investments has purchased the new Trader Joe’s store building for $7.23 million. The price equated to $411 per square foot.

Earlier this year, Centennial American Properties purchased the former Rooms To Go retail store and renovated it to house the California specialty grocery, which opened in September.

The building and property at 4101 S. Tamiami Trail was purchased by the real-estate investment trust Cole Credit Property Trust III. Although the purchase is Cole’s first Trader Joe’s in Florida, affiliated trusts purchased a Trader Joe’s in Lexington, Ky., in July. Cole says its commercial retail real-estate investment strategy focuses primarily on owning single-tenant retail properties, leased long term to well-known, industry-leading tenants.

Meetings & Agendas
• Regular City Commission meeting — 2:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 5, Sarasota City Hall, Commission Chambers, 1565 First St., Sarasota
• Central Park Neighborhood Association meeting — 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 5, Central Park II clubhouse
• St. Armands Neighborhood Association meeting — 4:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 5, St. Armands Fire Station, 47 N. Adams Lane, Sarasota