From the EDC...

Staples, the office superstore, has signed a lease to take about 20,000 square feet at Market Plaza shopping center. Space vacated by earlier tenants, T’s Pasta Beef & More and Murray’s Discount Auto Parts, will be combined to create the square footage needed for Staples. Sherwin Williams will also be relocated in the center to accommodate the new anchor tenant. Additionally, the Market Plaza ownership has been working with Village staff on façade renovation plans to update the center. Staples is scheduled to take possession of the space in February 2009. The store opening is anticipated around spring/summer 2009.

Fire Up! I like Staples.

Now who will convince the owners of Market Plaza to reconfigure the parking lot? The Market Plaza parking lot cannot take on more traffic. It just can't.

I'd also love to see a parking lot reconfiguration. Even though the Jewel is closer to my home, I try to avoid it due to the parking and end up over at the Dominick's down the road.

Then again, I can't stand the Jewel parking lot in Wheaton by Butterfield Road, and was never keen on the parking at the Elmhurst Jewel. Maybe it's Jewel that's designing 'challenging' parking lots? Or maybe it's me.

But, great to hear that Staples is coming, even if it may create more traffic.

This is great news! I've long wished for an office supply place in town; we'll frequent it often.

With gas prices the way they are, I think this is something our CBD needs to focus on - attracting useful, necessary retail operations to town. Nobody wants to drive any further than they have to these days; if we have businesses like Staples coming in, I can't imagine they won't do well.

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Then again, I can't stand the Jewel parking lot in Wheaton by Butterfield Road, and was never keen on the parking at the Elmhurst Jewel. Maybe it's Jewel that's designing 'challenging' parking lots? Or maybe it's me.

I'm the same way, it's just something about Jewel parking lots that makes them feel dangerous and annoying to navigate.

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Originally posted by Ted E.:
From the EDC... Staples, the office superstore, has signed a lease ... at Market Plaza shopping center.

This is great news.

Wasn't there an office supply store in town about 10 years ago?(across the street from village hall) It is great news, I hope they do well!

My gut feeling is they won't be renewing their lease. (hope I'm wrong)

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Originally posted by IMJ:
Now who will convince the owners of Market Plaza to reconfigure the parking lot? The Market Plaza parking lot cannot take on more traffic. It just can't.

They should try to purchase those apartment buildings behind the Jewel (knock em down and expand the lot ) to make the retail buildings accessible on both the north and south exposures with parking lots and entrances on both sides (like town square in Wheaton)

Office Max is much cheaper than Staples. Or is it Office Depot?

This is good news. I was just wondering the other day what would wind up in that Murray's spot.

As for the parking lot, search pasts posts. The solution is to turn the parking spots 90 degrees and have the main driving lane right up against the sidewalks in front of the stores.

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Originally posted by GEM:

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Originally posted by IMJ:
Now who will convince the owners of Market Plaza to reconfigure the parking lot? The Market Plaza parking lot cannot take on more traffic. It just can't.

They should try to purchase those apartment buildings behind the Jewel (knock em down and expand the lot ) to make the retail buildings accessible on both the north and south exposures with parking lots and entrances on both sides (like town square in Wheaton)

I think that's a great idea.

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They should try to purchase those apartment buildings behind the Jewel

With those buildings worth anywhere from $600,000 - $800,000 apiece, I highly doubt this would be a viable alternative. Plus, not all those buildings are apartments, some have been converted into condos, further increasing the difficulty in buying up the properties.

years ago I was in one often, a friend lived there and her family owned two buildings.
They are very nice, probably need updating but as they say on HGTV 'good bones', spacious too.

UPDATE in today's Daily Herald (6/2).

Key Quote:

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Market Plaza ownership also has been working with Glen Ellyn's staff on improvement plans for the shopping center, including improvements to the parking lot...

Emphasis added. Yippie Skippie!

That should generate some tax revenue, but didn't I read on this board that the zoning or something like that on Roosevelt is such that not all revenue goes to GE?

I'd be delighted if they do something with the parking - then I might drop in for more than donating blood every 6 weeks. Freshening up the facades and increased maintenance (and maybe getting Jewel to help clean up around their area)would be great.

Those blood people up there are relentless. I guess that's what happens when your organization sells blood to hospitals. Gotta pay the rent.

I realize it's probably only a dream, but I'm so hoping the coming of Staples might improve that whole shopping center - sort of like after Von Maur came into Yorktown. There are days I cannot believe how Yorktown changed from even what, 10-15 years ago.