History of Randhurst: a timeline

1958: Carson, Pirie, Scott & Co. buys the Burmeister Farm, at Rand and Elmhurst roads in Mount Prospect.1959: The Fair Store and Wieboldt's join Carson's to form the Randhurst Corp. They begin to plan the shopping center.1960: Victor Gruen Associates, one of the best-known commercial architects in the country, is chosen to design the center. The old Burmeister barn is burned down in lieu of a traditional groundbreaking, and construction begins.1962: On Aug. 16, Randhurst opens.1963: The Fair Store brand is discontinued and the store becomes a Montgomery Ward.1971: Woodfield Shopping Center opens in Schaumburg.1977: Randhurst undergoes its first major renovation; it is given an #8220;institutional#8221; appearance, with white terrazzo floors, fluorescent lighting and ceiling tile.1981: The Randhurst Corp. disbands; the Rouse Corp. buys Randhurst. 1984: In another major renovation, The Picnic Food Court is installed and almost all public and office space is eliminated. 1986: Wieboldt's declares bankruptcy. The space is quickly occupied by a P.A. Bergner's store. 1989: The center is again remodeled, with stores added to the second level and skylights, escalators, elevators and second level access to the anchor stores are added. 1990: J.C. Penney joins as an anchor store after Carson's and Bergner's merge into one company.1995: Randhurst anchors are J.C. Penney, Carson's, Kohl's (MainStreet), Old Navy and Circuit City. Home Depot is built along Kensington Road. 2000: Montgomery Ward declares bankruptcy after more than a century in Chicago retailing.2001: J.C. Penney, Kohl's and Old Navy depart Randhurst. 2004: A Costco Warehouse is built near the main shopping center. 2008: Demolition of Randhurst commences.Source: Greg Peerbolte, Mount Prospect Historical Society executive director