advertisement

Danada Square East in Wheaton to get Sierra Trading Post, Starbucks

When Dominick's closed in late 2013 in Wheaton's Danada Square East shopping center, it left a void that rocked the entire strip mall.

Now the mall is under new ownership and showing signs of coming back to life, driven by a Whole Foods store moving from another Wheaton strip mall and expanding its offerings in the vacant Dominick's space.

Jim Kozik, the city's director of planning, said Whole Foods' reputation is helping bring in other new businesses, including Starbucks, Charter Fitness, Sierra Trading Post and a yet to be revealed chain restaurant from the Southeast.

Kozik said the Whole Foods is scheduled to open by Jan. 1 at 91 Danada Square East. Facade work already is underway and an interior build-out will begin soon on the 55,000-square-foot store, which will feature a juice and coffee bar, a pizza stand and more prepared foods than what are available at the 151 Rice Lake Square location.

In addition, the city council recently awarded the store a liquor license to serve alcoholic drinks to patrons of a cafe that will be inside the store. Kozik said the same license was awarded to Mariano's when it opened at the corner of Roosevelt and Naperville roads several years ago.

“It's exciting,” he said. “We're glad they're staying in Wheaton and moving to a bigger location.”

Kozik said a Sierra Trading Post is expected to open around the same time in the remaining 30,000-square-foot space left behind by Dominick's. The store — owned by TJX Companies along with TJ Maxx, Home Goods and Marshalls — will sell discounted name-brand outdoor gear and sporting goods.

A Sierra Trading Post spokeswoman would not confirm the store's opening, but Kozik said it will be the company's first store in the Midwest. The company's website shows nine other locations, mostly in the western U.S.

“They're definitely a tenant,” Kozik said. “They have signed a lease.”

In addition, a Charter Fitness that signed a lease almost a year ago is set to open soon in the old MC Sports space at 71 Danada Square East. The club is accepting memberships and will be open from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Friday and 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Two free-standing buildings in the outlot of the shopping center also will have new tenants soon.

Kozik said after several other plans fell through, the former IHOP building at 167 Danada Square East will be demolished to make way for a new fast casual restaurant that wants to open on the site early next year. City officials will be meeting with architects next week to talk about the business.

Just north of the former IHOP building is a long-standing KFC at 171 Danada Square East that closed Monday. Kozik said demolition of the interior of the building began later that day in preparation for a new Starbucks that will have indoor and outdoor seating and a drive-through.

Starbucks representatives have told the shopping center owners they hope to open the store by late summer.

“Ten weeks is very aggressive, but Starbucks does that,” Kozik said. “They have a lot of resources to do that.”

Construction crews are moving fast on the site of a future CVS at 2000 S. Naperville Road as well. The 13,000-square-foot store will be just northwest of Danada Square East, across the street from a Walgreens. Kozik said it is scheduled to open later this summer.

  A 55,000-square-foot Whole Foods is being constructed in the former Dominick's space at 91 Danada Square East in Wheaton. The space has been divided and the remaining portion will house Sierra Trading Post, a retailer of discounted name-brand outdoor gear and sporting goods. Both stores are expected to open in early 2017. Bev Horne/bhorne@dailyherald.com
Article Comments
Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.