Goodwill to fill long-empty Sears Hardware site in Elk Grove Village

Goodwill officials have confirmed plans to open a store and donation center inside a long-shuttered Sears Hardware store in Elk Grove Village.

The 24,000-square-foot big box at 110 Biesterfield Road — an anchor of the Elk Crossing Shopping Center — has stood vacant for 20 years. But officials at property manager George Gullo Development Corp. were able to secure a 20-year lease with Goodwill.

The store, targeted for opening early next spring, will feature a modern thrift shopping space, thousands of clothing and home goods items, and a covered donation drive-through, the nonprofit announced Thursday.

“Our first Goodwill Store & Donation Center in Elk Grove Village will bring new job opportunities, affordable secondhand shopping and convenient donating closer to home for residents in the northwestern part of Cook County,” said Dan Michael, vice president of retail stores and donation centers at Goodwill Greater Milwaukee & Chicago, in the announcement. “Backed by a multiyear lease, this investment supports the revitalization of Elk Crossing Shopping Center and strengthens Goodwill’s long-term commitment to the local retail economy.”

Though Goodwill is a nonprofit — revenue from purchases and donations support its workforce development training and services — the store will generate sales taxes for village coffers.

“The sales tax will be a plus for us,” said Mayor Craig Johnson. “They’re very popular (stores). Kids like buying that stuff.”

Nearly 50 jobs are expected at the new Goodwill, officials said.

Opening of the Elk Grove Village location will follow a planned year-end opening of Goodwill’s fifth store and donation center in Chicago at 3120 N. Pulaski Road in the Avondale neighborhood. The retailer has 40 locations to shop and donate in the city and suburbs.

cplacek@dailyherald.com