Gurnee Mills celebrates 25 years by opening time capsule

A fanny pack, a Michael Jordan Wheaties cereal box and a Michael Jackson cassette tape - talk about a blast from the past.

They are definitely items you don't see nowadays that resurfaced Monday as part of Gurnee Mills' 25th anniversary celebration.

The trip down memory lane happened when officials unearthed a time capsule that was buried when the mall was built at Grand Avenue and the Tri-State Tollway. After a few words by Gurnee Mills General Manager Randy Ebertowski and Gurnee Mayor Kristina Kovarik, the time capsule was brought up from the ground and struck open by two maintenance workers.

One by one, Kovarik pulled out items to show to the crowd that had assembled for the ceremony outside Entry B. The contents included mall memorabilia - a directory from 1991 and a staff photo from the grand opening - a Super Nintendo video game, a Warren Township High School yearbook and local newspapers from Aug. 8, 1991.

Ebertowski said this anniversary is significant because it proves the mall has "withstood the test of time."

"Retail and fashion is ever changing so you always have to stay up with the times, and with the help and support of the village and community, that's what we continue to do," Ebertowski said. "It all goes back to 25 years ago when they had the foresight to put this property here."

During his speech, Ebertowski mentioned past and present village officials who made Gurnee Mills a reality, but he also recognized Dave Schad, a security guard who has worked at the mall since it opened.

Schad said he has seen Gurnee Mills "change a lot and grow bigger" during his career.

When it opened, Gurnee Mills was billed as the country's largest off-priced outlet mall that featured discounters such as Waccamaw Pottery and Filene's Basement. Since then, it has shifted to a model that now mixes full-line, value and outlet stores with several dining and entertainment options.

An estimated 500 million shoppers have visited Gurnee Mills during the past quarter century, and Kovarik said the mall has benefitted the village greatly.

"Gurnee Mills bears our name so it reflects the success and growth of our community and we reflect the success of Gurnee Mills," she said.

Kovarik said Gurnee Mills has been crucial to the village's economic development because Gurnee is almost totally reliant on the sales tax revenue.

"We're very thankful and looking forward to another 25 years," she said.