Schaumburg tennis store's move awaits zoning change

Financial pressures from the pandemic are causing an imminent short move for a tennis pro shop in Schaumburg, which in turn is triggering consideration of a zoning code change by the village to enable it.

The Tennis27 Tennis Store that has been 39 W. Schaumburg Road in the Town Square shopping center for the past three years is planning a move just across Roselle Road to a space at 107 E. Schaumburg Road in the Waterbury Place shops.

The reason? Lower rent in tough economic times, owner Weronika Sopiarz said.

"The price is better," she added. "We needed something more reasonable."

And when is she moving? As soon as the village says she can, Sopiarz said.

Waterbury Place has Schaumburg's least intensive commercial zoning classification, and sporting goods stores like Tennis27 are not currently permitted, Community Development Director Julie Fitzgerald said.

Primarily intended for small office use, the zoning category also permits seven retail uses - art galleries, bookstores, candy and confectionery stores, coin and stamp stores, florists, hobby stores, and magazine and newspaper stands.

Village staff decided there would be less chance of unintended consequences from adding sporting goods stores under 2,000 square feet to this list, rather than by rezoning Waterbury Place to the next highest zoning category. The rejected option would have permitted businesses considered inappropriate for the site, such as drive-through facilities, vehicle repair shops and gas stations.

Members of the village's planning, building and development committee Thursday recommended the proposed zoning code change be referred to the zoning board of appeals for a public hearing likely to be scheduled for sometime in March.