TUCSON, Ariz. – The University of Arizona Center for Innovation (UACI) is pleased to announce that startup company Cell Work, LLC has joined UACI. Cell Work aims to provide all-age informational and visual biology kits to both homes and academic settings. They are working on an introduction to many subjects such as Molecular and Cellular Biology, 3D printing, genetic engineering and synthetic biology.

Cell Work is on a mission is to bring a tangible and educational cell model to the market. Their kit equips both instructors and families with the tools that can be used to create and visualize the essential components of a cell. This cell model can be viewed from home without the need for equipment. It serves as an introduction to the fundamental units of life. This understanding is essential in order for scientists to manipulate any aspect of a cell using genetic engineering, metabolic engineering and synthetic biology.

Cell Work founder Junnis Hugger is leveraging UACI’s incubation program by utilizing all the resources offered and working closely with the startup incubator team to identify and survey potential customer segments, continue product development and advance their business model.

UACI Executive Director Eric Smith described how UACI is supporting the new startup’s development. “Cell Work has a unique offering that has potential to be part of the school curriculum around the world. Startups exist to create solutions for real problems and the origin of this product was derived from the founders’ own experiences while learning scientific concepts in the classroom. It is very inspiring,” Smith shared.

“UACI has been an amazing resource. The team here has not only helped us develop our vision but also provide us the guidance to thrive as a company,” Hugger shared. “From the weekly mentoring sessions to the one-on-one counseling to the noontime knowledge meetings we have gained a plethora of new skills and connections, we can’t wait to see how our company grows. Thank you to everyone in this program for cultivating this fulfilling experience.”

Access into UACI provides Cell Work with a structured incubation program including customized business support and the ability to work alongside startups in a fast-paced environment. Along with support, entrepreneurs have a direct line to UACI’s mentors and subject matter experts who guide them in turning their idea into a product. Other tools the incubation program provides are office and lab space, a prototyping center and assistance through a 27-point program roadmap, identifying a target market, product development, marketing resources and much more.

Casa Grande, AZ – Long Wong’s franchisee’s Victor and Edgar Martinez (brothers) leased their 4th location with the help of ORION Investment Real Estate’s Lacey Eyman this past week.

The Martinez brothers reached out to the community of Casa Grande on social media about opening a new location, and the response they received was amazing. After reviewing the excitement and requests of the community, Lacey Eyman was able to help the franchise owners find the perfect location. The Long Wong owners are experiencing massive success at their existing locations and are expanding quickly.

This newest Long Wong’s location is 1,562-square-feet and is located at 973 East Cottonwood Lane in a now fully occupied shopping center, near the busiest intersection in Casa Grande (according to a city study), and
right across the street from the highly popular Safeway. Within the center there is also a bakery, hair salon, Christian book and gift store, graphics and print store, martial arts school, nail salon, a well-known financial and insurance company, and a popular furniture store that just made this center their second location.

Lacey Eyman, who represented Long Wong’s, commented on the deal, “Long Wong’s reached out to the community of Casa Grande through social media outlets and the community responded loudly. Long Wong’s heard their need, found the perfect location, and are excited to serve the community of Casa Grande.”

As of Oct. 30, U.S. shopping centers had collected 85.4 percent of the rent owed them for the month, up from the 84 percent of September rent collected by the end of September, according to Datex Property Solutions, which collects data from thousands of properties owned by users of its business intelligence platform.

As more of their units opened for business and more consumers felt comfortable using their services, some tenant types posted double-digit improvements from September to October. Movie theater rent collection rose by 20.6 percent, salons by 19.4 percent and fitness centers by 15.6 percent.

Chains that paid less rent in October than in September include:

• Pier 1, down 44.65 percent
• S. Postal Service, down 44.4 percent
• Urban Outfitters, down 32.8 percent
• Automobile Club (AAA), down 18.2 percent
• Mattress Firm, down 10.7 percent
• Papa John’s, down 10.4 percent
• Rainbow, down 10.2 percent

Chains that significantly improved their rent-payment rates from September to October include:

• Regal, up 100 percent
• Orangetheory Fitness, up 90.2 percent
• Francesca’s, up 74.5 percent
• Bath & Body Works, up 20.5 percent
• Victoria’s Secret, up 21.8 percent
• Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt, up 31.37 percent
• Red Robin, up 27.5 percent
• Stein Mart, up 22.8 percent
• Massage Envy, up 20.9 percent
• Ross Dress for Less, up 20.5 percent

The percentage of rent collected does not always correlate to sales, according to Datex. Department store sales per square foot climbed 58.9 percent from August to September to $230 while the sector’s rent payments increased only 6 percent from September to October. Specialty restaurant sales per square foot increased 56.1 percent to $100 from August to September, and then rent payments grew by only 3.55 percent from September to October. Specialty retail sales per square foot jumped 37.8 percent to $335 from August to September while rent payments grew only 1.3 percent from September to October. Craft stores sales per square foot grew 30.6 percent to $149 from August to September, and rent payments declined 1.3 percent from September to October. And apparel store sales per square foot climbed 24.1 percent to $260 from August to September, and then rent payments grew only 3.3 percent from September to October.