Best Buy coming to North Aurora

North Aurora's already rapidly growing commercial base will get another big attraction as Best Buy prepares to start construction and be open for business next year.

The electronics retailer is just one of several new businesses scheduled to open in the village next year.

Located near the Target on Orchard Gateway, the new Best Buy will be a draw for residents and other businesses, Village Administrator Sue McLaughlin said. Residents will no longer have to travel to Geneva or Aurora for their electronics fix.

The store will also benefit other retailers.

"Every Best Buy I have seen is always busy. Anything that generates that much traffic is good for other businesses," she said.

Residents will not have to wait long for the grand opening. The village plan commission approved the store earlier this year and it does not need village board approval. McLaughlin said she expects Best Buy to apply for a building permit soon.

"They want to be open by summer. It's a very aggressive schedule," McLaughlin said.

Next year will also see the opening of the Wild Orchard restaurant near Comiskey Drive and Randall Road.

McLaughlin said the restaurant is family-owned, has a great chef, will serve three meals per day and will offer residents a bit of variety from chain restaurants.

"We're really excited about Wild Orchard. Lots of people have told us they want to see something other than a chain. They want variety and this gives them some more choices," she said.

In addition to those retail projects, construction is scheduled to begin next year on a massive new 1 million square foot industrial park near the corner of Butterfield and Mitchell roads. Spread over three buildings, McLaughlin said the project should generate lots of tax revenue and jobs.

Called the Liberty Business Center North Aurora, the project will include improvements to Mitchell Road and provide truck access to Farnsworth Road, she said.