The Biz Week That Was: 5 years since Arlington Park racetrack closed, Toys R Us making comeback, and town center sale are among the highlights
‘I miss the racetrack’: Five years after Arlington Park’s final race, regulars recall its legacy
Much of the attention surrounding the barren 326 acres at Euclid Avenue and Wilke Road in Arlington Heights has focused on the Chicago Bears and a possible new suburban home for the NFL team. Friday marked five years since the final turn at Arlington Park, the storied thoroughbred horse racetrack that operated for 94 years and became Illinois’ grand racing palace.
Toys R Us makes a comeback with new store in Lombard
Nearly a decade after closing most of its stores in the state, Toys R Us is making a comeback in Illinois. The retailer plans to open 120 new stand-alone stores across the country this fall, according to a statement from the company. They will be in addition to 40 currently existing locations.
Deer Park Town Center sold in reported $125 million deal
For the second time in as many days, a major northwest suburban shopping center has been sold, this time for a reported $125 million price that makes it the largest Chicago-area retail deal in a decade. Deer Park Town Center in Deer Park was acquired through a joint venture by Connecticut-based developer Brand Street Properties and AEW Capital Management, a Boston-based real estate investment manager, the firms said Thursday.
Starbucks to shutter 250 stores in North America this week in 2nd wave of closings
Starbucks plans to close 250 North American stores later this week. It is the second big round of store closures under Starbucks Chairman and CEO Brian Niccol, who joined the company in 2024. Last September, Starbucks closed 627 stores in North America and Europe and laid off 900 nonretail employees.
Carpentersville’s 2nd recreational pot dispensary to offer drive-through
A cannabis dispensary that’s soon to open in a former Carpentersville restaurant on Randall Road will have a drive-through lane. Here & Now dispensary is taking over the former Sunrise Social location, which relocated to the Algonquin Commons on County Line Road in December.
Special financing district considered to spark private investment in downtown Antioch
Antioch is preparing to establish a special financing district to spark private investment and other improvements in its downtown area. Village officials this week set a Nov. 12 public hearing date and established a registry for interested parties that want to be in the loop of what's happening with a proposed tax increment financing district.