Residents want consistent store hours, survey shows

Consistent, longer downtown store hours in Glen Ellyn would attract more shoppers, a survey shows.

In June, Glen Ellyn's economic development corporation polled retailers and village residents. All questions referenced store hours, except one that sought open-ended comments about what the downtown needs.

"We were really focusing on what are the perceptions in the community about store hours," Executive Director Janie Patch said.

In total, about 40 of the 100 retailers responded, and about 2,400 of the 8,200 village residents responded. The last survey the economic development corporation conducted was in 1996, but it questioned only retailers.

"This is the first time we've gone out to survey residents about their shopping behavior pattern and about their thoughts relevant to store hours," Patch said. "We also gave them the opportunity to have anonymity, which sometimes gets more information from them."

She said the survey showed there's a perception the town closes down at 5 p.m., and now the economic development corporation is trying to identify businesses willing to offer consistent hours to the public. The long-term goal is to develop core shopping hours that most businesses adopt, including extended hours on Thursdays and Sunday afternoons. Currently, more than a dozen stores are willing to extend their hours, Patch said.

"We're working with the businesses and the residents," she said. "Clearly, the residents can do a lot more shopping in the downtown if they're aware that these businesses are open when it's convenient for them."

Among the open-ended responses, many residents expressed an interest in a men's clothing store, like Dean Olson, an affordable women's clothing shop like Bananas and a gift shop like Hallmark and Daffy Down Dilly. Residents also suggested at least one national franchise store to serve as an anchor, including Eddie Bauer, The Gap, Banana Republic, Ann Taylor, Old Navy, William Sonoma, Crate & Barrel, Bed Bath & Beyond or Barnes and Noble.

Acting Village Manager Curt Barrett said village officials are happy with the number of responses.

"That's always good news," he said, "because it gives more accurate information reflective of what opinions are."