Giesche Shoes shutters Glen Ellyn, Geneva stores

Glen Ellyn residents said goodbye to yet another downtown shopping landmark after Giesche Shoes closed its doors for the last time.

The family run business, which also closed its store late last month at 21 N. 4th St. in Geneva, had been part of Glen Ellyn since 1949, owner Brian Giesche said.

Its departure from the corner of Main Street and Hillside Avenue came just weeks after another longtime downtown Glen Ellyn business, the McChesney & Miller grocery store, closed its doors after more than 150 years in the village.

A developer, The Opus Group, already has presented a proposal to use the Giesche Shoes property and the Main Street parking lot to construct a mixed-use development complete with apartments and some commercial space. The group's plan also calls for construction of a parking structure on other nearby property.

Glen Ellyn Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Mike Formento said Giesche Shoes was a "keystone business" in Glen Ellyn.

"They have been the anchor at the south end of the downtown as you enter so anybody coming to Glen Ellyn is exposed to Giesche Shoes right at the very beginning," Formento said. "We find this to be another major loss to our downtown, much like we just lost with McChesney."

Susan Johanson, co-owner of the Glen Ellyn Sweet Shoppe, said the closing was sad news.

"It's just sad to see something that's been part of the town close after so many years. especially a family business," Johanson said.