Be patient -- Super Wal-Mart is coming to Elgin

It's coming -- just maybe not as soon as you'd all hope.

Over the past few weeks the calls and e-mails from those of you wondering if you're still getting that new Super Wal-Mart in Elgin have been numerous.

The answer is yes, you're still getting the super center along Randall Road. But don't count on shopping there until at least 2009 -- instead of this year as you'd originally hoped.

Presently, the developer is waiting on final approval from the Kane County Highway Department for the project, and the roadway changes it will bring to the intersection of Randall and Bowes roads.

Ray Moller, economic development director for the city, said that approval is expected soon.

The project then will go out to bid, he said, and construction should start shortly after that.

Once work begins, it will take approximately 13 months to build the super center, Moller said.

Moller said he's not surprised about the anticipation over the proposed retailer along the Randall Road corridor.

"It's a popular place to shop. In today's economy it's a good place for people to go," he said.

For now, you Wal-Mart shoppers out there will have to continue shopping at the one at Randall and Royal Boulevard. Once the new super center does open though, that site will close.

Another one gone: The Sharper Image is leaving the Randall Road corridor.

The store at Algonquin Commons is closing down, and presently has just about everything marked down -- so get the deals while they last.

Another one coming: Not too far from Sharper Image, another new business is coming to the Randall Road corridor.

A new Great Clips is moving into a storefront on the west side of the road in Algonquin, just north of the new Mimi's restaurant.

• 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 at (847) 894-5036.