Content about Geography of Illinois

March 27, 2013

Lemont, Ill.-based Englewood Construction said that its restaurant group has begun work on four new projects, including a food court in New Jersey’s largest outlet mall, a steakhouse in a downtown Chicago luxury hotel and two suburban Chicago mall restaurants.

Chicago -- Lemont, Ill.-based Englewood Construction said Wednesday that its restaurant group has begun work on four new projects, including a food court in New Jersey’s largest outlet mall, a steakhouse in a downtown Chicago luxury hotel and two suburban Chicago mall restaurants.

“As we head out of the recession, we’re seeing more importance placed on dining and entertainment, and the focus is on redevelopment,” said William Di Santo, president, Englewood Construction.

March 19, 2013

Cullinan Properties announced it has officially opened its Levee District at East Peoria Downtown, in Peoria, Ill.

Peoria, Ill. -- Cullinan Properties announced it has officially opened its Levee District at East Peoria Downtown, in Peoria, Ill.

Joining anchor stores Costco, Target, Gordmans, ULTA Beauty and Ross Dress for Less at the shopping center are Red Robin Gourmet Burgers and Potbelly Sandwich Shop, both slated to open this summer.

GNC will open a new store on May 8 at The Levee District, which encompasses over 86 acres that will include 500,000 sq. ft. of retail and restaurant space, as well as office, hotel and civic components.

 

February 21, 2013

Check out the video of the latest jewel in Simons' department store portfolio.

Check out the video of the latest jewel in  Simons' department store portfolio. The 118,00-sq.-ft. store, in West Edmonton Mall,  Edmonton, Alberta (Canada) took top honors in Chain's Store Age's Retail Store of the Year Design competition.

Click here

 

 

 

January 25, 2013

A report by Mid-America Real Estate Corp. found that 2012 shopping center construction in the Chicagoland area grew 10% year-over-year, after a four-year decline.

Oakbrook Terrace, Ill. -- A Friday report by Mid-America Real Estate Corp. found that 2012 shopping center construction in the Chicagoland area grew 10% year-over-year, after a four-year decline.

According to the 2012-2013 Chicagoland Shopping Center Report, square footage increased from 1.02 million sq. ft. of space in 2011 to 1.14 million sq. ft. – a difference of about 113,000 sq. ft.

January 21, 2013

CraftWorks Restaurants & Breweries, owner of the Old Chicago, Rock Bottom and Gordon Biersch banners among others, said Friday it has named Mike Mrlik as SVP of CraftWorks and as president of Old Chicago.

Chattanooga, Tenn. -- CraftWorks Restaurants & Breweries, owner of the Old Chicago, Rock Bottom and Gordon Biersch banners among others, said Friday it has named Mike Mrlik as SVP of CraftWorks and as president of Old Chicago.

Mrlik is charged with leading Old Chicago’s brand refresh as 55 locations roll out a redesign with an emphasis on ramped-up service and experience.

November 27, 2012

By many accounts, Walgreens is already a mobile retailing veteran. But eager to keep its service exciting and valuable, the drug store chain recently added a new product-mapping service within its mobile strategy.

Walgreens began its mobile journey in September 2009, when it launched an app designed to “improve the way our customers interact with us,” explained Tim McCauley, senior director, mobile commerce for Deerfield, Ill.-based Walgreens.

November 1, 2012

Mid-America Asset Management Inc. said it has signed eight restaurant leases Greater Chicagoland shopping centers that the company represents.

Oakbrook Terrace, Ill. -- Mid-America Asset Management Inc. said it has signed eight restaurant leases Greater Chicagoland shopping centers that the company represents. The leases total more than 42,000 sq. ft.

For Dempster Plaza in Niles, Ill., Mid-America leased 9,600 sq. ft. to Asia restaurant Niles Buffet, which will open in a former Old Country Buffet space in March 2013. The 180,000-sq.-ft. center is anchored by Home Depot, Portillo's and Jewel/Osco.

October 24, 2012

Macerich announced that Eataly, the largest artisanal Italian food and wine emporium in the world, has reached an agreement to open its second U.S. location, at The Shops at North Bridge near Michigan Avenue in Chicago.

New York -- Macerich announced that Eataly, the largest artisanal Italian food and wine emporium in the world, has reached an agreement to open its second U.S. location, at The Shops at North Bridge near Michigan Avenue in Chicago.

The new location, expected to open in September 2013, will be the concept's largest, at 60,000 sq. ft. Eataly opened its first U.S. store, in Manhattan, in 2010.
Eataly is a collaboration among Joe Bastianich, Mario Batali, Lidia Bastianich and Oscar Farinetti, who founded Eataly in Turin, Italy, in 2007.

October 22, 2012

Cullinan Properties Group, developer of the East Peoria (Ill.) Downtown development, said that Ross Dress for Less will open a 25,000-sq.-ft. junior-anchor store at the mixed-use project, joining previously announced Target, Costco, Ulta and Gordman’s.

Peoria, Ill. -- Cullinan Properties Group, developer of the East Peoria (Ill.) Downtown development, said Friday that Ross Dress for Less will open a 25,000-sq.-ft. junior-anchor store at the mixed-use project, joining previously announced Target, Costco, Ulta and Gordman’s.

Red Robin Gourmet Burger will open a 4,001-sq.-ft. restaurant and dental chain Heartland Dental Care will open in a 2,700-sq.-ft. space.

October 10, 2012

Peoria, Ill.-based Cullinan Properties said that MassageLuXe has opened at the Streets of St. Charles, a new mixed-use development in St. Charles, Mo.

St. Charles, Mo. -- Peoria, Ill.-based Cullinan Properties said that MassageLuXe has opened at the Streets of St. Charles, a new mixed-use development in St. Charles, Mo.

MassageLuXe joins Streets of St. Charles Dental and the first Five Guys Burgers & Fries location in St. Charles County. Opening soon are two full-service restaurants that are new to Metro St. Louis -- Tucanos Brazilian Grill and Prasino.

September 19, 2012

Target Corp. said it will open a store in East Peoria, Ill., in March 2013.

Minneapolis -- Target Corp. said it will open a store in East Peoria, Ill., in March 2013.

The store will be part of the 86-acre East Peoria Downtown development. This will be the first Target store in East Peoria.

 

September 10, 2012

AT&T’s new flagship, on Chicago's Magnificent Mile, is designed to immerse customers in everything AT&T.

AT&T’s new flagship, on Chicago's Magnificent Mile, is designed to immerse customers in everything AT&T. The 10,000-sq.-ft. store, at 600 N. Michigan Ave., also offers shoppers a peak into the future, with the first-ever retail demonstrations of the company’s new digital home security and automation services. It also features a connected car (a 2012 Nissan Leaf) that is used to demonstrate how wireless technology can help driving.

July 30, 2012

Sycamore Partners extended its tender offer to buy The Talbots Inc. to Aug. 2.

New York -- Sycamore Partners extended its tender offer to buy The Talbots Inc. to Aug. 2. It is the second extension given by Sycamore to the retailer.

The private equity firm said in May that it would buy Talbots for $193.3 million. The tender offer was previously scheduled to expire at 5 p.m. ET on July 27.

June 27, 2012

Oakbrook Terrace-based Mid-America Asset Management said that five retailers have been signed at Naperville Crossings in Naperville, Ill., totaling nearly 9,400 sq. ft.

Naperville, Ill. -- Oakbrook Terrace-based Mid-America Asset Management said that five retailers have been signed at Naperville Crossings in Naperville, Ill., totaling nearly 9,400 sq. ft. In addition, three retailers have recently renewed at the center totaling 4,200 sq. ft.

Tide Dry Cleaners leased 3,260 sq. ft. with plans to open a drive-thru dry cleaning service in the first quarter of 2013, becoming the first location in Illinois.

May 31, 2012

After announcing that talks between private equity firm Sycamore Partners and Talbots had ended, then issuing an update that negotiations had resumed but without exclusivity, the pair said Thursday that a deal has been struck.

Hingham, Mass. -- After announcing that talks between private equity firm Sycamore Partners and Talbots had ended, then issuing an update that negotiations had resumed but without exclusivity, the pair said Thursday that a deal has been struck.

Sycamore Partners is acquiring the apparel retailer for approximately $193.3 million, according to Thursday’s announcement.

Including debt, the deal is valued at close to $369 million.

May 29, 2012

Talbots said that Sycamore Partners had walked away from negotiations over a proposed $215 million buyout of the retailer.

Hingham, Mass. -- Talbots said Friday that Sycamore Partners had walked away from negotiations over a proposed $215 million buyout of the retailer. The company, which also reported first quarter results, said it was exploring other strategic alternatives.

May 8, 2012

OfficeMax Inc. reported that net income for the quarter ended March 31 slid to $4.9 million, compared with $11.4 million in the year-ago period.

Naperville, Ill. -- OfficeMax Inc. reported Tuesday that net income for the quarter ended March 31 slid to $4.9 million, compared with $11.4 million in the year-ago period. Results were hampered by charges related to U.S. store closures.

Total sales edged up 0.5% to $1.9 billion. In the retail segment, sales dipped 2.7% to $912.3 million; same-stores sales fell 2.1%.

April 17, 2012

On the banks of the Missouri River, in the northwest corner of the greater St. Louis metropolitan area, historic St. Charles is home to more than 65,000 people. At the gateway to this fast-growing area, a “mini-city” is emerging: The Streets of St. Charles, developed by Cullinan Properties of Peoria, Ill., will deliver an enticing 1 million-sq.-ft. mixed-use community.

March 19, 2012

The CEO of Sears Holdings Corp., Louis D'Ambrosio, received a compensation package in 2011 whose value was put at $9.9 million, according to a proxy statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

New York -- The CEO of Sears Holdings Corp., Louis D'Ambrosio, received a compensation package in 2011 whose value was put at $9.9 million, according to a proxy statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

D'Ambrosio joined the company in February 2011. He received a base salary of $931,000. His stock awards totaled $8 million and his bonus was $150,000.

January 31, 2012

A report released Monday by Mid-America Real Estate Corp. suggested that new shopping center construction in and around Chicago could ramp up significantly after this year.

Oakbrook, Terrace, Ill. -- A report released Monday by Mid-America Real Estate Corp. suggested that new shopping center construction in and around Chicago could ramp up significantly after this year.

According to the 2011-12 Chicagoland Shopping Center Report, with a 13.4% decrease in new shopping center GLA in Chicagoland last year, 2011will likely mark the bottom of a four-year decline in retail center construction. After a flat 2012, shopping center development could double in 2013, according to Andy Bulson, author of the report.
 

January 18, 2012

Wingstop said that it has signed two development agreements that will result in 14 new restaurants in the Chicago area.

Richardson, Texas -- Wingstop said Wednesday that it has signed two development agreements that will result in 14 new restaurants in the Chicago area.

The multi-unit development agreements include a three-store deal with an existing franchise group and an 11-store deal with Chicagoland Wing Kings.

“We expect to double our presence in the area over the next two to three years," said Bev Rich, senior director of franchise development, Wingstop.

Wingstop currently has 19 restaurants in the Chicago area.

December 9, 2011

Illinois House leaders have agreed to pass tax breaks in order to keep Sears Holdings Corp. from abandoning its Hoffman Estates, Ill., headquarters in search of a new out-of-state home, according to Reuters.

Chicago -- Illinois House leaders have agreed to pass tax breaks in order to keep Sears Holdings Corp. from abandoning its Hoffman Estates, Ill., headquarters in search of a new out-of-state home, according to Reuters.

The deal is also designed to keep Ill.-based securities and commodities trading company CME Group in-state as well.

The House had previously shot down the tax package. 

November 23, 2011

Rose Paving Co., a leader in national parking lot management, has been named once again a Chicago Tribune Top Workplace for 2011.

Bridgeview, Ill. -- Rose Paving Co., a leader in national parking lot management, has been named once again a Chicago Tribune Top Workplace for 2011. One hundred companies, organizations, and agencies were honored at an awards ceremony on Nov. 14 hosted by the Chicago Tribune. The awards, given for measured qualities including company leadership, career opportunities, workplace flexibility, and compensation & benefits were presented to Chicago-area companies for the second straight year.

November 21, 2011

More than 50 professional shoplifters have been arrested in an undercover operation in the Chicago area, the Chicago Tribune reported.

New York City -- More than 50 professional shoplifters have been arrested in an undercover operation in the Chicago area, the Chicago Tribune reported.

The stings began in mid-October and were conducted in freestanding suburban stores, as well as stores on Michigan Avenue in Chicago and two local malls.

November 16, 2011

OfficeMax Inc. announced a strategic pilot with RadioShack Corp. whereby OfficeMax will pilot the RadioShack Mobile offering in the San Francisco market beginning in January 2012.

Naperville, Ill. -- OfficeMax Inc. announced a strategic pilot with RadioShack Corp. whereby OfficeMax will pilot the RadioShack Mobile offering in the San Francisco market beginning in January 2012.

As part of this pilot program, RadioShack employees will offer mobile products and services, including prepaid and postpaid wireless products, accessories and service plans, as well as assist in selling OfficeMax consumer electronics products and services, in approximately 15-20 OfficeMax stores.