Russo Power Equipment opens in former Elgin Wal-Mart site
The former Wal-Mart site along Randall Road has a new tenant.
The 118,000-square-foot building at Randall Road and Royal had been vacant since 2012, when the Wal-Mart closed and moved into a new building in Elgin, to the south on Randall Road.
The city of Elgin offered a sales tax sharing agreement to fill the old site, which helped entice Russo Power Equipment to move into the spot.
City officials also agreed to fast track permits for Russo.
Russo Power Equipment opened in the building this month.
The Randall Road spot is Russo's sixth location.
Russo is a commercial landscaping dealership.
"We separate ourselves by being able to provide a vast selection of equipment, parts, service, as well as top-notch specialists in each department, including arbor and turf," said Brandon Ross, a marketing and design associate at Russo.
Russo's main target customers are professional and commercial landscape contractors, as well as municipalities, large property owners and those working in snow and ice management, Ross said.
However, he added, it is not uncommon for homeowners looking for professional products to purchase commercial grade equipment at Russo.
The company has had a long-term plan to have a location within Kane County, and the Randall Road spot in Elgin brought that to fruition, Ross said.
The company selected the former Wal-Mart site along Randall because of its proximity to Route 20 and I-90, which makes it easy to travel to, he said.
"This location offers good distance from our others stores, to serve and accommodate our customers," he said.
Russo's other dealerships in the Chicagoland area are in Schiller Park, Naperville, Hainesville, Frankfort, and Chicago, which has industrial supply.
Russo Power Equipment first opened in 1970 on Chicago's Northwest side. It is a family owned and operated business.
"We are Chicagoland's largest parts supplier. With over three million parts on hand, we take pride in our parts inventory and service and replacement parts for all your equipment needs," Ross said.
So far, the company has only had a soft opening, but many are already using the new location along Randall Road.
The public is invited to attend the store's opening Aug. 18 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. It will include a ribbon-cutting ceremony with local officials, as well as customer specials, giveaways, raffles and demonstrations. There also will be entertainment, food and more, he said.
"We could not of ask for a more supportive community, and we are excited to be open," he said.
Now open:
The new Kirkland's store along Randall Road in Algonquin.
The Kirkland's in Algonquin Commons closed earlier this year. The new home décor and gift store opened this month at 730 S. Randall Road.
There will be a grand opening celebration at 9 a.m. Saturday, July 30.
Amy Williams' column covers all the news of business along the Randall Road corridor from Batavia to Crystal Lake. Contact her at randallbiz@comcast.net or (847) 894-5036.