Organization, Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | Organization, Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Business Retail Opportunity Investments Corp., a Maryland corporation (“ROIC”), is a fully integrated and self-managed real estate investment trust (“REIT”). ROIC specializes in the acquisition, ownership and management of necessity-based community and neighborhood shopping centers on the west coast of the United States anchored by supermarkets and drugstores. ROIC is organized in a traditional umbrella partnership real estate investment trust (“UpREIT”) format pursuant to which Retail Opportunity Investments GP, LLC, its wholly-owned subsidiary, serves as the general partner of, and ROIC conducts substantially all of its business through, its operating partnership subsidiary, Retail Opportunity Investments Partnership, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “Operating Partnership”), together with its subsidiaries. Unless otherwise indicated or unless the context requires otherwise, all references to the “Company”, “we,” “us,” “our,” or “our company” refer to ROIC together with its consolidated subsidiaries, including the Operating Partnership. With the approval of its stockholders, ROIC reincorporated as a Maryland corporation on June 2, 2011. ROIC began operations as a Delaware corporation, known as NRDC Acquisition Corp., which was incorporated on July 10, 2007, for the purpose of acquiring assets or operating businesses through a merger, capital stock exchange, stock purchase, asset acquisition or other similar business combination. On October 20, 2009, ROIC’s stockholders and warrantholders approved, among other things, the steps to be taken by ROIC to continue its business as a corporation that has elected to qualify as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes. ROIC’s only material asset is its ownership of direct or indirect partnership interests in the Operating Partnership and membership interest in Retail Opportunity Investments GP, LLC, which is the sole general partner of the Operating Partnership. As a result, ROIC does not conduct business itself, other than acting as the parent company and issuing equity from time to time. The Operating Partnership holds substantially all the assets of the Company and directly or indirectly holds the ownership interests in the Company’s real estate ventures. The Operating Partnership conducts the operations of the Company’s business and is structured as a partnership with no publicly traded equity. Except for net proceeds from equity issuances by ROIC, which are contributed to the Operating Partnership, the Operating Partnership generates the capital required by the Company’s business through the Operating Partnership’s operations, by the Operating Partnership’s incurrence of indebtedness (directly and through subsidiaries) or through the issuance of operating partnership units (“OP Units”) of the Operating Partnership. Recent Accounting Pronouncements In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-2, “Leases.” ASU No. 2016-2 resulted in the recognition of a right-to-use asset and related liability to account for future obligations under ground lease agreements for which the Company is the lessee. In addition, this ASU requires that lessees and lessors capitalize, as initial direct costs, only those costs that are incurred due to the execution of a lease. Allocated payroll costs and other costs that are incurred regardless of whether the lease is obtained are no longer capitalized as initial direct costs and instead are expensed as incurred. Under ASU No. 2016-2, each lease agreement will be evaluated to identify the lease components and nonlease components at lease inception. The total consideration in the lease agreement will be allocated to the lease and nonlease components based on their relative standalone selling prices. Lessors will continue to recognize the lease revenue component using an approach that is substantially equivalent to existing guidance for operating leases (straight-line basis). In July 2018, the FASB issued an amendment to ASU No. 2016-2 that allows lessors to elect, as a practical expedient, not to allocate the total consideration to lease and nonlease components based on their relative standalone selling prices. This practical expedient allows lessors to elect a combined single lease component presentation if (i) the timing and pattern of the revenue recognition of the combined single lease component is the same, and (ii) the related lease component and, the combined single lease component would be classified as an operating lease. The amendment also provides a transition option that permits the application of the new guidance as of the adoption date rather than to all periods presented. The pronouncement is effective for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. The Company adopted the provisions of ASU No. 2016-2 effective January 1, 2019 using the modified retrospective approach and accordingly, recognized a lease liability of approximately $18.0 million, which is included in Other liabilities on the accompanying balance sheet, and a related right-to-use asset of approximately $17.0 million, which is included in Other assets on the accompanying balance sheet, for all operating leases in which the Company is a lessee based on the present value of the minimum rental payments remaining as of the initial application date. The present value of the remaining lease payments was calculated for each operating lease using each respective remaining lease term and a corresponding estimated incremental borrowing rate, which is the interest rate that the Company estimates it would have to pay to borrow on a collateralized basis over a similar term. Based on its election of the package of practical expedients, the Company was not required to reassess whether any expired or existing contracts are or contain leases, reassess the lease classification for any expired or existing leases, or reassess initial direct costs for any existing leases. Accordingly, the Company’s ground lease agreements for which the Company is the lessee will continue to be accounted for as operating leases under the new standard. Further, the Company elected the practical expedient to account for both its lease and non-lease components as a combined single lease component and elected the optional transition method permitting January 1, 2019 to be its initial application date. Additionally, leasing payroll-related costs that are incurred regardless of whether leases are obtained are no longer capitalized as initial direct costs and instead are expensed as incurred. These costs amounted to approximately $338,000 and $949,000 during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, respectively. Further, bad debt, which has previously been recorded in Property operating, has now been classified as a contra-revenue account in Rental revenue in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income. In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13 “Financial Instruments - Credit Topics.” ASU No. 2016-13 requires companies to adopt a new approach to estimating credit losses on certain types of financial instruments, such as trade and other receivables and loans. The standard requires entities to estimate a lifetime expected credit loss for most financial instruments, including trade receivables. ASU 2016-13 will be effective for the Company beginning on January 1, 2020, with early adoption permitted. The Company continues to evaluate the impact this pronouncement will have on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. Principles of Consolidation The accompanying consolidated financial statements are prepared on the accrual basis in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the disclosures required by GAAP for complete financial statement disclosures. In the opinion of management, the consolidated financial statements include all adjustments necessary, which are of a normal and recurring nature, for the fair presentation of the Company’s financial position and the results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented. Results of operations for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2019 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2019. It is suggested that these financial statements be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and those of its subsidiaries, which are wholly-owned or controlled by the Company. Entities which the Company does not control through its voting interest and entities which are variable interest entities (“VIEs”), but where it is not the primary beneficiary, are accounted for under the equity method. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. The Company follows the FASB guidance for determining whether an entity is a VIE and requires the performance of a qualitative rather than a quantitative analysis to determine the primary beneficiary of a VIE. Under this guidance, an entity would be required to consolidate a VIE if it has (i) the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance and (ii) the obligation to absorb losses of the VIE or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could be significant to the VIE. The Company has concluded that the Operating Partnership is a VIE, and because they have both the power and the rights to control the Operating Partnership, they are the primary beneficiary and are required to continue to consolidate the Operating Partnership. A non-controlling interest in a consolidated subsidiary is defined as the portion of the equity (net assets) in a subsidiary not attributable, directly or indirectly, to a parent. Non-controlling interests are required to be presented as a separate component of equity in the consolidated balance sheet and modify the presentation of net income by requiring earnings and other comprehensive income to be attributed to controlling and non-controlling interests. Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the periods covered by the financial statements. The most significant assumptions and estimates relate to the purchase price allocations, depreciable lives, revenue recognition and the collectability of tenant receivables, other receivables, notes receivables, the valuation of performance-based restricted stock, LTIPs, and derivatives. Actual results could differ from these estimates. Federal Income Taxes The Company has elected to qualify as a REIT under Sections 856-860 of the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”). Under those sections, a REIT that, among other things, distributes at least 90% of its REIT taxable income (determined without regard to the dividends paid deduction and excluding net capital gains) and meets certain other qualifications prescribed by the Code, will not be taxed on that portion of its taxable income that is distributed. Although it may qualify as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the Company is subject to state income or franchise taxes in certain states in which some of its properties are located. In addition, taxable income from non-REIT activities managed through the Company’s taxable REIT subsidiary (“TRS”), if any, is fully subject to U.S. federal, state and local income taxes. For all periods from inception through September 26, 2013 the Operating Partnership had been an entity disregarded from its sole owner, ROIC, for U.S. federal income tax purposes and as such had not been subject to U.S. federal income taxes. Effective September 27, 2013, the Operating Partnership issued OP Units in connection with the acquisitions of two shopping centers. Accordingly, the Operating Partnership ceased being a disregarded entity and instead is being treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The Company follows the FASB guidance that defines a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. The FASB also provides guidance on de-recognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure, and transition. The Company records interest and penalties relating to unrecognized tax benefits, if any, as interest expense. As of September 30, 2019, the statute of limitations for the tax years 2016 through and including 2018 remain open for examination by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) and state taxing authorities. ROIC intends to make regular quarterly distributions to holders of its common stock. U.S. federal income tax law generally requires that a REIT distribute annually at least 90% of its REIT taxable income, without regard to the deduction for dividends paid and excluding net capital gains, and that it pay U.S. federal income tax at regular corporate rates to the extent that it annually distributes less than 100% of its net taxable income. ROIC intends to pay regular quarterly dividends to stockholders in an amount not less than its net taxable income, if and to the extent authorized by its board of directors. Before ROIC pays any dividend, whether for U.S. federal income tax purposes or otherwise, it must first meet both its operating requirements and its debt service on debt. If ROIC’s cash available for distribution is less than its net taxable income, it could be required to sell assets or borrow funds to make cash distributions or it may make a portion of the required distribution in the form of a taxable stock distribution or distribution of debt securities. Real Estate Investments All costs related to the improvement or replacement of real estate properties are capitalized. Additions, renovations and improvements that enhance and/or extend the useful life of a property are also capitalized. Expenditures for ordinary maintenance, repairs and improvements that do not materially prolong the normal useful life of an asset are charged to operations as incurred. During the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, capitalized costs related to the improvement or replacement of real estate properties were approximately $28.7 million and $30.2 million, respectively. The Company evaluates each acquisition of real estate to determine if the acquired property meets the definition of a business and needs to be accounted for as a business combination. Under ASU No. 2017-1, the Company first determines whether substantially all of the fair value of the gross assets acquired is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or group of similar identifiable assets. If this threshold is met, the acquired property does not meet the definition of a business and is accounted for as an asset acquisition. The Company expects that acquisitions of real estate properties will not meet the revised definition of a business because substantially all of the fair value is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or group of similar identifiable assets (i.e. land, buildings, and related intangible assets). The Company recognizes the acquisition of real estate properties, including acquired tangible assets (consisting of land, buildings and improvements), and acquired intangible assets and liabilities (consisting of above-market and below-market leases and acquired in-place leases) at their fair value (for acquisitions meeting the definition of a business) and relative fair value (for acquisitions not meeting the definition of a business). The relative fair values used to allocate the cost of an asset acquisition are determined using the same methodologies and assumptions the Company utilizes to determine fair value in a business combination. Acquired lease intangible assets include above-market leases and acquired in-place leases, and acquired lease intangible liabilities represent below-market leases, in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The fair value of the tangible assets of an acquired property is determined by valuing the property as if it were vacant, which value is then allocated to land, buildings and improvements based on management’s determination of the relative fair values of these assets. In valuing an acquired property’s intangibles, factors considered by management include an estimate of carrying costs during the expected lease-up periods, and estimates of lost rental revenue during the expected lease-up periods based on management’s evaluation of current market demand. Management also estimates costs to execute similar leases, including leasing commissions, tenant improvements, legal and other related costs. Leasing commissions, legal and other related costs (“lease origination costs”) are classified as deferred charges in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The value of in-place leases is measured by the excess of (i) the purchase price paid for a property after adjusting existing in-place leases to market rental rates, over (ii) the estimated fair value of the property as if vacant. Above-market and below-market lease values are recorded based on the present value (using a discount rate which reflects the risks associated with the leases acquired) of the difference between the contractual amounts to be received and management’s estimate of market lease rates, measured over the terms of the respective leases that management deemed appropriate at the time of acquisition. Such valuations include a consideration of the non-cancellable terms of the respective leases as well as any applicable renewal periods. The fair values associated with below-market rental renewal options are determined based on the Company’s experience and the relevant facts and circumstances that existed at the time of the acquisitions. The value of the above-market and below-market leases is amortized to base rental income, over the terms of the respective leases including option periods, if applicable. The value of in-place leases is amortized to expense over the remaining non-cancellable terms of the respective leases. If a lease were to be terminated prior to its stated expiration, all unamortized amounts relating to that lease would be recognized in operations at that time. The Company expenses transaction costs associated with business combinations and unsuccessful property asset acquisitions in the period incurred and capitalizes transaction costs associated with successful property asset acquisitions. In conjunction with the Company’s pursuit and acquisition of real estate investments, the Company did not expense any acquisition transaction costs during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 or 2018. Sales of real estate are recognized only when it is determined that the Company will collect substantially all of the consideration to which it is entitled, possession and other attributes of ownership have been transferred to the buyer and the Company has no significant continuing involvement. The application of these criteria can be complex and requires the Company to make assumptions. Management has determined that all of these criteria were met for all real estate sold during the periods presented. Asset Impairment The Company reviews long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of the asset to aggregate future net cash flows (undiscounted and without interest) expected to be generated by the asset. If such assets are considered impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceed the fair value. Management does not believe that the value of any of the Company’s real estate investments was impaired at September 30, 2019 or December 31, 2018. Cash and Cash Equivalents The Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents are maintained at financial institutions and, at times, balances may exceed the federally insured limit by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. The Company has not experienced any losses related to these balances. Restricted Cash The terms of the Company’s mortgage loans payable may require the Company to deposit certain replacement and other reserves with its lenders. Such “restricted cash” is generally available only for property-level requirements for which the reserves have been established and is not available to fund other property-level or Company-level obligations. Revenue Recognition Management has determined that all of the Company’s leases with its various tenants are operating leases. Rental income is generally recognized based on the terms of leases entered into with tenants. In those instances in which the Company funds tenant improvements and the improvements are deemed to be owned by the Company, revenue recognition will commence when the improvements are substantially completed and possession or control of the space is turned over to the tenant. When the Company determines that the tenant allowances are lease incentives, the Company commences revenue recognition and lease incentive amortization when possession or control of the space is turned over to the tenant for tenant work to begin. Minimum rental income from leases with scheduled rent increases is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Prior to January 1, 2019, the Company considered property operating expense recoveries from tenants of common area maintenance, real estate taxes and other recoverable costs as lease components. Effective January 1, 2019, each lease agreement is evaluated to identify the lease and nonlease components at lease inception. The Company elected the single component practical expedient, which allows lessors to elect a combined single lease component presentation if (i) the timing and pattern of the revenue recognition of the combined single lease component is the same, and (ii) the related lease component and, the combined single lease component would be classified as an operating lease. As a result of this assessment, rental revenues and tenant recoveries from the lease of real estate assets are accounted for as a single component. Lease incentives are amortized as a reduction of rental revenue over the respective tenant lease terms. Termination fees (included in Other income in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income) are fees that the Company has agreed to accept in consideration for permitting certain tenants to terminate their lease prior to the contractual expiration date. The Company recognizes termination fees when the following conditions are met: (a) the termination agreement is executed; (b) the termination fee is determinable; (c) all landlord services pursuant to the terminated lease have been rendered; and (d) collectability of the termination fee is assured. Interest income is recognized as it is earned. Gains or losses on disposition of properties are recorded when the criteria for recognizing such gains or losses have been met. The Company must make estimates as to the collectability of its accounts receivable related to base rent, straight-line rent, expense reimbursements and other revenues. Management analyzes accounts receivable by considering tenant creditworthiness, current economic trends, and changes in tenants’ payment patterns when evaluating the adequacy of the allowance for doubtful accounts receivable. The Company also provides an allowance for future credit losses of the deferred straight-line rents receivable. The provision for doubtful accounts at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 was approximately $8.0 million and $6.9 million, respectively. Depreciation and Amortization The Company uses the straight-line method for depreciation and amortization. Buildings are depreciated over the estimated useful lives which the Company estimates to be 39-40 years. Property improvements are depreciated over estimated useful lives that range from 10 to 20 years. Furniture and fixtures are depreciated over estimated useful lives that range from 3 to 10 years. Tenant improvements are amortized over the shorter of the life of the related leases or their useful life. Deferred Leasing Costs Costs incurred in obtaining tenant leases (principally leasing commissions and acquired lease origination costs) are amortized ratably over the life of the tenant leases. The amortization of deferred leasing costs is included in Depreciation and amortization in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income. Concentration of Credit Risk Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents and tenant receivables. The Company places its cash and cash equivalents in excess of insured amounts with high quality financial institutions. The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of its tenants and requires tenants to provide security deposits. Earnings Per Share Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) excludes the impact of dilutive shares and is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue shares of common stock were exercised or converted into shares of common stock and then shared in the earnings of the Company. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, basic EPS was determined by dividing net income allocable to common stockholders for the applicable period by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during such period. Net income during the applicable period is also allocated to the time-based unvested restricted stock as these grants are entitled to receive dividends and are therefore considered a participating security. Time-based unvested restricted stock is not allocated net losses and/or any excess of dividends declared over net income; such amounts are allocated entirely to the common stockholders other than the holders of time-based unvested restricted stock. The performance-based restricted stock awards and LTIP Units outstanding under the Equity Incentive Plan described in Note 7 are excluded from the basic EPS calculation, as these units are not participating securities until they vest. The following table sets forth the reconciliation between basic and diluted EPS for ROIC (in thousands, except share data): Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019 2018 2019 2018 Numerator: Net income $ 19,628 $ 15,647 $ 42,557 $ 35,573 Less income attributable to non-controlling interests (1,770) (1,453) (3,864) (3,338) Less earnings allocated to unvested shares (113) (100) (340) (301) Net income available for common stockholders, basic $ 17,745 $ 14,094 $ 38,353 $ 31,934 Numerator: Net income $ 19,628 $ 15,647 $ 42,557 $ 35,573 Less earnings allocated to unvested shares (113) (100) (340) (301) Net income available for common stockholders, diluted $ 19,515 $ 15,547 $ 42,217 $ 35,272 Denominator: Denominator for basic EPS – weighted average common equivalent shares 113,814,447 112,799,637 113,725,752 112,378,343 OP units 11,321,606 11,609,401 11,391,070 11,653,290 Performance-based restricted stock awards and LTIP Units 324,328 301,729 304,427 270,325 Stock options 80,447 114,779 77,087 108,080 Denominator for diluted EPS – weighted average common equivalent shares 125,540,828 124,825,546 125,498,336 124,410,038 Earnings Per Unit The following table sets forth the reconciliation between basic and diluted earnings per unit for the Operating Partnership (in thousands, except unit data): Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019 2018 2019 2018 Numerator: Net income $ 19,628 $ 15,647 $ 42,557 $ 35,573 Less earnings allocated to unvested shares (113) (100) (340) (301) Net income available to unitholders, basic and diluted $ 19,515 $ 15,547 $ 42,217 $ 35,272 Denominator: Denominator for basic earnings per unit – weighted average common equivalent units 125,136,053 124,409,038 125,116,822 124,031,633 Performance-based restricted stock awards and LTIP Units 324,328 301,729 304,427 270,325 Stock options 80,447 114,779 77,087 108,080 Denominator for diluted earnings per unit – weighted average common equivalent units 125,540,828 124,825,546 125,498,336 124,410,038 Stock-Based Compensation The Company has a stock-based employee compensation plan, which is more fully described in Note 7. The Company accounts for its stock-based compensation plan based on the FASB guidance which requires that compensation expense be recognized based on the fair value of the stock awards less forfeitures. Restricted stock grants vest based upon the completion of a service period (“time-based restricted stock grants”) and/or the Company meeting certain established market-indexed financial performance criteria (“performance-based restricted stock grants”). Time-based grants are valued according to the market price for the Company’s common stock at the date of grant. For performance-based restricted stock grants, a Monte Carlo valuation model is used, taking into account the underlying contingency risks associated with the performance criteria. It is the Company’s policy to grant options with an exercise price equal to the quoted closing market price of stock on the grant date. The Company has made certain separate awards in the form of units of limited partnership interests in its Operating Partnership called LTIP Units. The LTIP Units are subject to such conditions and restrictions as the compensation committee may determine, including continued employment or service, achievement of pre-established operational performance goals and market-indexed performance criteria. For the LTIP Units subject to market-indexed performance criteria (the “marked-indexed LTIP Units”), a Monte Carlo valuation model is used, taking into account the underlying contingency risks associated with the performance criteria. All other LTIP Units (the “operational LTIP Units”) are valued according to the market price of the Company’s common stock at the date of grant. Awards of stock options, time-based restricted stock grants and operational LTIP Units are expensed as compensation on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period. Awards of performance-based restricted stock and market-indexed LTIP Units are expensed as compensation under the accelerated attribution method and are recognized in income regardless of the results of the performance criteria. Derivatives The Company records all derivatives on the balance sheets at fair value. The accounting for changes in the fair value of derivatives depends on the intended use of the derivative, whether the Company has elected to designate a derivative in a hedging relationship and apply hedge accounting and whether the hedging relationship has satisfied the criteria necessary to apply hedge accounting. Derivatives designated and qualifying as a hedge of the exposure to changes in the fair value of an asset, liability, or firm commitment attributable to a particular risk, such as interest rate risk, are considered fair value hedges. Derivatives designated and qualifying as a hedge of the exposure to variability in expected future cash flows, or other types of forecasted transactions, are considered cash flow hedges. Hedge accounting generally provides for the matching of the timing of gain or loss recognition on the hedging instrument with the recognition of the changes in the fair value of the hedged asset or liability that are attributable to the hedged forecasted transactions in a cash flow hedge. When the Company terminates a derivative for which cash flow hedgin |