Older downtown can be restored

We've all heard about the controversy surrounding failing, outdated strip malls, big box stores and fading downtowns.

The old strip malls failed because they didn't have the draw of the big box or large national chain stores. You need large, medium and small national chain stores to bring in consumers. The local stores aren't as likely to be successful without these major known attractions in retail centers.

The same problem has occurred in depressed downtown areas. As we migrated to huge indoor malls and big box discount stores, we abandoned downtowns and smaller strip malls.

Today, indoor malls are not as popular; the old type of strip mall is fading. In most towns we don't have the luxury of starting from scratch and creating a Glen as you will find in Glenview.

What we can do is include the large, medium and small national chains in downtown renovations. This will attract consumers to downtown areas and ensure that local businesses and restaurants will be more successful. In Lake Forest and Highland Park you will see Williams Sonoma and other known stores attracting people to their downtown areas.

We can create new retail centers with a combination of big box, large, medium and small national chain stores, local business and restaurants. Some of these new developments are being wrongly classified as outdated strip malls.

Don't be misled or confused. Hometown retail centers with family atmospheres are possible. Yes, even with those dreaded big box stores. These new hometown retail centers will encourage the renovation of the old failing strip malls and continue to bring businesses into towns.

Our downtowns will be renovated. However, this is not a quick or easy project. Land has to be purchased; infrastructure has to be put into place. Unfortunately, we can't wave a magic wand for an instant new downtown.

While the preparation continues for a new downtown, we should continue to develop new hometown retail centers. Don't let the naysayers mislead you on these projects. These are not the outdated strip malls of the '50s.

Caroline Wright

Mundelein