Last year, Newton, MA-based SR Weiner Associates and its affiliate W/S Development Associates converted the 450,000-sf shopping center from the Hingham Plaza into Derby Street Shoppes, an open-air center which the developer says is one of the state's first "lifestyle centers." The center is anchored by a Kohl's department store and features Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, Gap and Gap Kids among a number of other retail stores as well as natural food retailer Bread & Circus. The center also has pedestrian walkways and six restaurants.

Barnes & Noble is the world's largest bookseller, operating 628 Barnes & Noble bookstores in 49 states. It also operates 258 B. Dalton Bookseller stores, primarily in regional shopping malls. Next month, another 25,000-sf Barnes & Noble is opening at 70 Worcester Providence Turnpike in Millbury.