Whitestone REIT (NYSE: WSR) (“Whitestone” or “the Company”) announced the opening of MAD Greens on February 17 as part of the enhancement of Village Square at Dana Park in Mesa, Arizona. Founded in 2004 with 18 locations across Colorado and Arizona, MAD Greens has built a loyal following for its healthful, ‘crave-able’ and customizable menu, highlighted by create-your-own salads topped with premium, farm-fresh, locally-sourced ingredients.

The management at MAD Greens is committed to providing their guests healthy dining options in a casual, relaxed setting

“We want people to enjoy themselves when they come in and eat,” said co-founder Dan Long. “We serve really tasty, awesome food that is good for you and that’s what makes it unique.”

More than 20 salad dressings are made from scratch each morning by MAD Greens’ certified ‘Dressing Mixologists.’ Salads on the menu are named after people throughout history and are just as unique as the people that inspired them. For example, salads available include Edgar Allen Poe, Mad Molly Brown, Doc Holliday, Soleri and more.

MAD Greens encourages their employees to carry through with this spirit of fun. Management recently held a job fair for several positions at the Dana Park restaurant and say they are always looking for fun, active and ambitious people.

“People are central to our success,” MAD Greens founders stated. “We are staffed with people who all know the world can be a lot better. We have more fun and do more for our communities.”

Acting on the belief that better community starts at the grassroots level, the restaurant also supports local and national causes. In 2015, MAD Greens donated more than $50,000 in cash and in-kind contributions to the Multiple Sclerosis Society’s Colorado/Wyoming Chapter. This month in Arizona they are promoting a Phoenix Children’s Hospital fundraiser by donating $1 from each Soleri salad sold to the PCH Hope Fund.

Jim Mastandrea, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Whitestone REIT, said he is pleased to welcome MAD Greens to the existing shopping center at Village Square at Dana Park.  Other changes also include the transformation of the existing Paradise Bakery & Café into Panera Bread. The two restaurant concepts have similar menus and are themed around salads, sandwiches and bakery items.

The City of Mesa’s recent approval of additional entitlements will also allow the Company to undertake an expansion of the property.

“We are proud to be part of the growing and thriving Mesa Community and delighted to contribute further to the city’s economic development,” Mastandrea said.