Creative ideas can fill empty stores

Out of the same recession that has buckled the knees of the retail industry and led to several store closings throughout the suburbs comes word of a rebirth of sorts.

After watching sales and tax revenue slow, some entrepreneurs and local governments are finding new ways to fill vacant anchors and big box stores and drive consumer traffic to local retail centers.

How are they doing it?

As the ancient Greek philosopher Plato once said: "Necessity is the mother of invention."

It's certainly no secret what the recession has done to consumer spending and the ripple effect it has had on the all-important retail industry.

Experts say there are more than 220 empty anchor spaces totaling more than 10 million square feet of space in the Chicago area.

Nearly half of the anchor space made available in the first quarter of this year is attributable to the demise of five big-name tenants: Circuit City, Linens 'n Things, Wickes Furniture, Expo Design and Steve and Barry's.

What we've learned during that time is no longer can retail, real estate and municipal leaders count on one big box store to replace another. But as Daily Herald staff writer Larissa Chinwah reported Sunday, there are some unique building reuses under way that will be watched with great interest.

A glow-in-the-dark mini golf course is taking over a former Steve and Barry's store in Bloomingdale, and similar courses are being considered in Aurora, Joliet and Vernon Hills.

A gymnastics academy has relocated to a vacant South Barrington Circuit City store.

A Kane County circuit clerk's office has set up in a former Montgomery Ward building in St. Charles, and a church and school are occupying an old Kmart.

Not all these uses will generate sales tax revenue, but they are addressing a couple of important needs.

In addition to filling empty building shells, they are attracting hundreds, if not thousands, of visitors to once-vacant locations. The idea is those visitors are potential new consumers who may eat, drink and shop in other businesses in nearby retail centers and generate sales and tax revenue.

We're not advocating such alternative uses are right for every vacant big box or anchor store in the suburbs.

It's not that easy.

However, we do believe these are examples of the kind of creative thinking and strategic planning that must take place between business, real estate and municipal leaders.

If this painful recession has taught us anything, it's that there will be no such thing as business as usual.

Here's to thinking out of the box.