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Gallup Energy Logistics Park (GELP) Receives National Certification for Development Potential

New Mexico announces their selection by GELP to develop their railway system.

In January 2017, BNSF Railway Company selected Gallup Energy Logistics Park (GELP) in Gallup, NM as one of six new certified rail sites, recognized for its development potential. The BNSF Site Certification program not only recognizes these sites for their growth potential but also features them on certain BNSF marketing materials and helps connect them with new economic development opportunities.

GELP is one of two New Mexico certified sites, joining Central New Mexico Rail Park in Los Lunas, NM. Four other sites named in January include AgriTech Park in Great Falls, MT, Ameripointe Logistics Park in Ardmore, OK, Commerce Center of Southeast Iowa in Middletown, IA and John W. Kelsey Business and Technology Park in Greenville, IL. These six newly-certified sites are among only ten sites nationwide.

According to a press release from BNSF Railways, factors that were analyzed while making the site selection included the availability of utilities and public services, site access to highways, proper industrial zoning and land ownership and transparency. GELP was selected because of its central location, existing and planned state investment and a planned expansion of up to 2,500 acres.
On February 9, 2017, New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez announced the selection of GELP and Central New Mexico Rail Park and recognized the potential the Gallup site brought to the state’s economic development opportunities. Governor Martinez noted that one of the state’s top priorities is becoming a leader in commerce and trade, and stated the value of the certification in helping New Mexico become a leader in national and international business.

Cachet Boutique New York Hotel to Debut in Spring 2017

A Cachet Boutique hotel is planning to open in Manhattan in Spring 2017.

In January 2017, Merchants Hospitality, Inc. and Cachet Hospitality Group (CHG) entered into an agreement to open Cachet Boutique New York Hotel in Manhattan during Spring of 2017. Located in midtown Manhattan on West 42nd St., the hotel will open in an important cultural center of the city with close proximity to Times Square, Broadway theaters, the Javits Convention Center, Central Park, Madison Square Garden and more social and cultural destinations.

Cachet Boutique New York will be the first Cachet Boutique in the United States, and its opening marks the continued expansion of the brand into North America. The Cachet Boutique brand has locations across the Asia-Pacific in China and Thailand.

Meredith Gelacak, Cachet Hospitality Group’s President of Hotel Operations-America, stated in a press release that Cachet was honored to be partnering with Merchants Hospitality and bringing the brand to New York City.

Cachet Boutique New York will feature a signature farm-to-table bar and restaurant, an indoor-outdoor wine terrace and outdoor wellness area, as well as the Cachet brand’s signature luxury and technology offerings within guestrooms. Hotel renovations will be completed in Spring 2017, with interior renovations being led by Cachet Interior Design (CID).

Cachet Hospitality Group Partners With Wahlburgers to Expand Burger Chain Into Asia

Cachet Hospitality Group partners with the Whalburgers chain in their expansion into the Asia Pacific market.

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The burger chain Wahlburgers, run by Wahlberg brothers Mark, Donnie and Paul, recently entered a partnership to expand the chain into Asia. The deal is a joint venture with Cachet Hospitality Group and businessman Farooq Arjomand, an investor in Cachet. Wahlburgers is headquartered in Massachusetts and currently operates locations across the U.S. and Canada. This deal with Cachet Hospitality will help open 100 new stores throughout the Asia Pacific region.

Wahlburgers opened its first store in Hingham, MA in 2011 and has since opened 12 more locations. This venture will be the company’s first outside of North America. The expansion will begin with the opening of three initial stores in the Chinese cities of Shanghai, Hong Kong and Wuhan.

“This combines perfectly with the explosive popularity of international restaurant brands in China’s malls and airports, opening the door to tremendous opportunity for Wahlburgers and our Asia Pacific joint venture,” Cachet Hospitality Group’s CEO Alexander Mirza said in a news release announcing the deal.

Wahlburgers CEO Rick Vanzura told the Boston Globe he was confident the chain would thrive based on the Wahlburgers experience and products, even in parts of the world where the Wahlberg name has less recognition. In an interview with City Weekend, Mark Wahlberg explained that while menus in the new locations would be adapted to satisfy local tastes, the core Wahlburgers experience would remain the same. “Our partners and we agree that, at its core, what we need to deliver is a Wahlburgers experience built around our core products,” said Wahlberg.

Cachet Hospitality Group is a Shanghai-based hospitality branding and management company. The group operates primarily in the Asia Pacific and North America. Cachet has already signed deals to secure the opening of new Wahlburgers locations in Asia and will continue to drive the expansion and development of the American chain in the region.