Outlet Mall Progress Slow: Small Business Picking Up the Pace

The Spring Creek Outlet Mall, a proposed 275,000-square-foot development along Route 6 within the Silver Cross Hospital Campus, was slated to have opened in the fall of 2012. However, difficulty securing tenants and financing have slowed the process.

Phase I was the construction of an oval shaped in-door mall, featuring a variety of retail outlets and restaurants.  

According to Nancy Hoehn, Village of New Lenox economic development director, project developer Jeff Middlebrook of Center Creek Development, LLC is continuing to market the development. Certainly the economy has delayed the project.

At this point, Center Creek developers are attempting to secure enough tenants before breaking ground and beginning work on constructing the infrastructure. "They're trying to figure out what's (feasible). It's more a matter that they have to get enough economies of scale."

A crucial factor at this point in time, from the developer's point of view, is making sure that infrastructure costs can be minimized. The way to do that is to have enough tenants in place so the infrastructure can be built to accommodate a larger group of retail stores, she said. "It's cheaper to build the infrastructure out at the early stage of development" than it is to add on to it each time a single tenant comes onboard.

The New Lenox Town Center is holding back on development

The Village Board of Trustees last month approved a one-year extension on the site plan for further development of the New Lenox Town Center in the 300-500 blocks of E. Lincoln-Highway. The planned 60,000-square-foot development has hit a snag.

While Walmart, the anchor for the development, is solidly in-place, plans for the construction of another mega-hardware store, Menards, has slowed. Baldermann said he understands Menards' position. Since the construction industry has taken such a beating over the past several years, Menards has been hit hard.

Small Business is Picking up the Slack  

On the other hand, small businesses are opening their doors. There's barely a vacancy left in town now, said Baldermann.

Even as banks have tightened their rein on business loans, those who targeted New Lenox have overcome the hurdle. In the past year, fitness facilities such as Harmonic Way Group Fitness and Wellness, eateries, hair salons, catering and more have settled in. Hoehn said the Hickory Creek Center across the street from Lincoln-Way Central High School has filled out. A number have opened within the New Lenox Town Center too, such as Culver's Restaurant, Discount Tires and Auto Zone.

The success of these businesses, she said, depends on loyalty from the local community. The Route 30 Construction project has taken a toll on business along the corridor. "We want to encourage people to be conscious of where they're doing their holiday shopping.

"We want to keep the tax dollars local. It's good for everybody."

Readers might like to add their own small business favorites here:

• Small Businesses in New Lenox: Like These Local Entrepreneurs on Facebook
  

Two Ways to Stay Connected to New Lenox Patch:

• Subscribe to our newsletters to have headlines and breaking news delivered to your in-box. 
• "Like" our Facebook page for updates throughout the day.