24-hour gym expected to open in Carol Stream's former Dominick's

A California-based chain of fitness centers plans to open a new gym in a shuttered Dominick's store in Carol Stream.

The tenant, 24 Hour Fitness, would occupy about 40,000 square feet - or more than half of the anchor spot in the Geneva Crossing shopping center, village planners say.

The company is expected to apply for a permit to make interior renovations and split up the store, said Tom Farace, the village's planning and economic development manager. As its name implies, the gym would be open around-the-clock and offer group classes and personal training.

The permit application would be reviewed internally by village staff members for about one to two months, depending on the extent of the remodel.

No plans have surfaced yet to fill the remaining 30,000 square feet of vacant space, Farace said.

Last year, Dallas-based Tabani Group bought the shopping center, northwest of Geneva Road and Main Street. In March, the real estate company told the village a prospective business was interested in moving into a portion of the old Dominick's. Now those plans are taking shape, and village planners have talked with a construction manager.

Dominick's parent company, Safeway, announced in October 2013 stores were closing across the Chicago area. But Safeway still continued to pay rent, seemingly leaving property owners with little incentive to attract new tenants.