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POMPANO BEACH, FL-Staples Inc. has signed a 10-year lease for its first store in Broward County, a 22,000-sf unit in Pompano Marketplace. The office supply superstore will anchor the 238,462-sf shopping center at 1115-1299 S. Federal Highway under an agreement that is valued at nearly $3.5 million.

The space was formerly occupied by Baer's Furniture, which plans to open a new store by the end of this year. The Staples lease takes occupancy in the center to 96%, according to Mindy McIlroy, director of leasing, and Marsha Griffiths, associate with Miami Beach-based Terranova Corp. McIlroy and Griffiths represented the owner, which is identified only as a pension fund, in the negotiations.

The center, which opened as Stein Mart in 1987, was expanded in 1997. "The location is a growing hub of regional commercial activity," according to McIlroy, "while the oceanfront is experiencing unprecedented residential development." Among the other tenants at Pompano Marketplace are Stein Mart, Jo-Ann Fabrics & Crafts, Dollar Tree and Carrabba's Italian Grill.