New stores to be open by Christmas

The boxes are all sitting there in South Elgin, just waiting to be opened.

And by the holidays, once all of the final touches are complete, they will be.

Many of you have been wondering what's going inside all of the retail boxes you see going up along Randall Road in South Elgin. And while you'll have to wait until the holidays to shop and eat there, you can get a peek now at what's going to be inside.

To many it's obvious a Home Depot is going in along Randall in South Elgin. And that's expected to be open by Thanksgiving.

But the box right in front of the Home Depot, adjacent to the McDonald's, has been a mystery to some. It is going to be a La-Z-Boy furniture store. It should be open within the next 30 days, according to South Elgin Director of Community Development Steve Super.

Just to the north there are four buildings, all in various stages of construction right now. And some already do have businesses committed to go inside. Others still are up in the air.

Soon enough you'll be able to peek inside some others.

For example, Red Robin will go into one of the buildings and share a parking lot with La-Z-Boy. Across the access point from Red Robin will be a Buffalo Wild Wings.

"We're excited to see all those open by Christmas," Super said.

Safe treats: Algonquin Commons along Randall Road will have its annual safe trick-or-treating day this month.

From 1 to 3 p.m. Oct. 28, businesses will be offering yummy treats for costumed youngsters.

There also will be a costume contest at 3 p.m. at Guest Services, with prizes offered in several age categories.

Now open: A new eatery is open along the east side of Randall in Algonquin. Pot Belly Sandwich Works is now open in The Galleria, joining Best Buy and Ethan Allen in the strip mall just off of County Line Road.