Randall rounds up more chain branches
The reasons to travel beyond Randall Road to shop are getting fewer by the day.
Before, you had to head all the way to Schaumburg for such special occasion megastores as Babies "R" Us and David's Bridal.
Though not as far, you had to drive at least to Route 31 in for Toys "R" Us, J.C. Penney and Catherine's -- the women's plus-size clothing chain -- in and around Spring Hill Mall.
But late next year, those stores all are expected to open in Algonquin, along with several other new stores in a development now under construction along Randall.
The 44-acre Oakridge Court development will be located at the southwest corner of Harnish Drive and Randall Road, just north of the Wal-Mart and south of Target.
Other stores expected to join the development are Binny's Beverage Depot and Kay's Jewelers. The Toys "R" Us and Babies "R" Us will be a combined store -- the first in the Chicago area, said Algonquin Assistant Village Manager Jeff Mihelich.
Construction on the project started late last month.
Mihelich said the first store, which likely will be J.C. Penney, should open next summer.
At last! It was past its due date. But finally, Caputo's is open along the west side of Randall in Algonquin.
Some of you say it was well worth the wait. But others say you haven't yet braved the lines of people trying out the store.
Owners say they had a soft opening last week, while they trained their employees with real customers in the new store. The grand opening of the store is this week.
It's grand: Many of you have been asking what's going up near the new CVS in Crystal Lake, along the east side of Randall.
Joining the drugstore in the development will be Grand Appliance & TV, which, as its name suggests, sells electronics, appliances -- and outdoor furniture, too.
Look for an opening later this year.
• 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.