(Ian Ritter is national online editor for GlobeSt.com/RETAIL.)

COLUMBUS, OH-In a push to beef up its presence in the area, developer Casto has acquired three centers in North Carolina, totaling more than one million sf, for an undisclosed price. The three centers, in Burlington, Charlotte and Winston-Salem, are the locally based company's first in the state.

In Burlington, which is about one hour north of Charlotte, the 236,213-sf University Commons was acquired from New Hyde Park, NY-based Kimco Realty Corp. Bed Bath & Beyond, Best Buy and Michaels are among the anchors at that center.

The 469,056-sf University Place, made up of the Village at University Place and the Shoppes at University Place was bought from Atlanta-based Ronus Properties. Dick's Sporting Goods, Office Depot and T.J. Maxx are examples of that property's tenants, and a Casto spokeswoman says that her company is looking at redevelopment opportunities at the center.