New stores set to open up along Randall Road
The New Year promises to bring many more shopping and dining opportunities to the Randall Road corridor, all the way from Crystal Lake to South Elgin.
However, in some cases the development won't be happening quite as fast as it has in previous years, partly because much of the land along Randall has already been developed and partly because of the economy.
But you'll still see new businesses opening up and down the Randall Road corridor from January through December.
This week we'll focus on what's coming to the northern part of Randall Road in 2008.
The northern end: One of the first new stores to open this year will be at the northern end of Randall Road. Grand Appliance Store will open on the east side of Randall, just beyond the CVS pharmacy store in Crystal Lake.
James Richter, planner with the city of Crystal Lake, says some groundwork has begun on a new retail center between the CVS and Grand Appliance. However, he's not sure if any new businesses will open there in 2008.
Across the road, however, in the strip malls along Carlemont Drive and Randall Road, you should see a new deli, restaurant and health-care businesses.
Almost built-out: Just to the south in Lake in the Hills, most of the land along Randall Road has already been developed, Director of Community Development Dan Olson said.
The only spot that really remains, he said, is between Dominick's and the movie theater on the east side of Randall.
"We haven't received anything for it yet. We're hoping for a retail, commercial use of some sort. Hopefully that will happen this year," Olson said.
What you will see happening for sure this year is some now-vacant businesses filling up.
For example, the old Famous Firehouse Coffee spot will open as a Dunkin' Donuts, complete with a drive-through.
Olson said Dunkin' Donuts recently revised its plans for the vacant storefront and now plans to open the business in early 2008.
Busy year: Heading even farther south, you'll find many new businesses opening along Randall throughout 2008 in Algonquin, starting with a few this winter.
"There will be plenty of new commercial along the Randall Road corridor in 2008," Algonquin's Assistant Village Manager Jeff Mihelich said.
In the Galleria, Brunswick Zone, which will bring a state-of-the-art bowling alley to the Randall Road corridor, should open late this winter behind the Best Buy.
La-Z-Boy, which is going up next to Best Buy, and Dania Furniture also will open in The Galleria, probably this spring, Mihelich said.
Across the road in Randall Crossing, Mimi's Café and other small shops are expected to open in the first quarter of the year.
And just down from Randall Crossing in Oakridge Court, you should see a new J.C. Penney, Toys R Us and Babies R Us this fall, Mihelich said.
• Amy Williams' column covers all the news of business along the Randall Road corridor from South Elgin to Crystal Lake. Contact her at randallbiz@comcast.net or (847) 894-5036.