Lincolnshire Barnes & Noble could close this year, officials say
One of Lincolnshire's more prominent retailers could be replaced this year by a medical clinic, village officials said Monday.
The owners of the Lincolnshire Commons shopping center on the northwest corner of Milwaukee Avenue and Aptakisic Road are discussing ending the lease for the Barnes & Noble bookstore in the plaza and renting the building to NorthShore University HealthSystem, Village Manager Brad Burke said.
The 33,000-square-foot store opened in 2006. Its lease expires in December, and the owners - CFNX Linshire, a subsidiary of a Northbrook company called Next Realty - is considering finding a new tenant before the struggling chain decides to close the store, Burke said.
According to a letter to village officials from Steven C. Bauer, an attorney for CFNX Linshire, it "appears likely" the chain would shutter the store because it competes with a more successful Barnes & Noble in Vernon Hills.
Bauer repeated those concerns Monday night during a presentation to the village board.
"The future of the Barnes & Noble building in Lincolnshire Commons is highly uncertain," he said.
The medical clinic could have 40 employees, including 10 doctors, Burke said. The staff could treat 250 to 300 patients daily, he said.
That could mean more customers for the restaurants and shops in the area, Bauer said.
The issue is before village officials because Lincolnshire Commons is a planned unit development dedicated to retail services. Any changes to that plan - such as opening a medical clinic - would require an amendment.
A new canopy and new wall signs would be the only changes to the building's facade, Bauer said.
Several trustees raised concerns about parking availability. Bauer and company representative Mark Blum said they're working on it.
If the plan progresses, the village's zoning board and appearance review commission would need to discuss it, said Steve McNellis, the village's director of community and economic development. A public hearing would be required, too.
NorthShore University HealthSystem has operated a clinic in a former Borders bookstore in Deerfield since 2012, according to village documents.