Palatine's Soccer Plus expanding to Libertyville

Soccer Plus, a Palatine store specializing in soccer and lacrosse, is expanding.

After nearly 15 years of operation, owner Bob Naughtrip is expecting to open a second location in downtown Libertyville.

Naughtrip signed a lease to operate at 500 N. Milwaukee Avenue on the corner of Cook Street and Milwaukee. The 4,000-square-foot shop is expected to open May 1.

A grand opening is planned for the early part of June when the retailer celebrates its anniversary and the kickoff of the 2010 World Cup.

Naughtrip, a resident of Hawthorn Woods, operates one of the largest soccer stores in the area at 456 W. Northwest Hwy. in Palatine.

The retailer sells soccer and lacrosse equipment and also caters to supplying uniforms for the youth travel programs.

Naughtrip, who grew up in Ohio, grew interested in soccer when his sons started playing years ago.

Before launching the soccer shop, Naughtrip was in the tire industry working as the director of sales for BFGoodrich. He left the tire industry to spend more time with his family. He opened his first store in 1995.