The Biz Week That Was: Mall closing, motorcycles revving, breakfast chain expanding among highlights

End of a retail era: Stratford Square Mall to close next month

Stratford Square Mall, a suburban shopping hub in its prime and now a shell of its former self, will shut its doors next month. The zombie mall has been declining for years. Fed up with the status quo, the village of Bloomingdale began independently buying vacant anchor stores around Stratford Square. Earlier this year, the village purchased the last piece — the core of the mall — in an $8.75 million deal.

Motor Cycle Center rumbles ahead under new ownership

Greg and Geoff Mellinger brought a motorcycle repair business out of their parents’ garage and turned it into one of the country’s premier European motorcycle specialist stores. After more than 40 years, another enthusiast owner, Johnny Scheff, is taking it to the next level. The owner of Motoworks Chicago, Scheff purchased Motor Cycle Center, Inc., at 443 E. St. Charles Road in Villa Park last October.

CEO of fast-growing First Watch keeps the focus on breakfast

First Watch, a Florida-based restaurant chain serving breakfast, brunch and lunch, is expanding in the suburbs. The chain opened a new location Monday at 2841 Mannheim Road in Des Plaines. Two more new First Watch restaurants are expected to open next year in Naperville and Algonquin. The chain also has restaurants in Bloomingdale, Geneva, Kildeer, Oak Brook and Schaumburg.

Owner of Arlington Heights Thai restaurant closes after 30 years in business

After three decades in Arlington Heights, Bangkok Cafe served its last meal Friday night. Owner Kim Cho attributed her decision to close the restaurant at 17 N. Vail Ave. in the village’s downtown to the aftereffects of the pandemic and family health issues.

$15.3 million expansion incentive keeps Lake Zurich business in town

Smalley Steel Ring Company will keep its global headquarters on Oakwood Road in the Lake Zurich Industrial Park for the foreseeable future with the help of a $15.3 million village incentive. Since moving from Wheeling to Lake Zurich in 2002, the company has grown from 180 to about 600 employees with a 300,000-square-foot manufacturing facility and offices in China, France and Sweden and warehouses in France and China.

Discount grocers smell opportunity amid rising prices

Batavia-based Aldi plans to add 800 stores over the next four years. Dollar General expects to add that many just this year. And their main rivals have ambitions of their own. Together, these discount grocers and value retailers are sprinting to meet consumers where they are: hunting for cheaper grocery options.