ST. CHARLES – Economic Development Director Chris Aiston is cautiously optimistic about East Main Street's future.
Foxfield Commons Shopping Center, once home to Walgreens and Blockbuster, has improved its occupancy rate to about 95 percent as national retailers Dollar Tree and Goodwill plan to set up shop.
"That's a strong success story right there," Aiston said.
St. Charles' east side economic corridor suffered blows this year when Charlestowne Mall anchor Sears and nearby Main Street Commons anchor Borders announced closures. A temporary occupant, however, is planned for the shuttered bookstore, Sears Home Appliance Showroom is preparing to open in Foxfield Commons and a Wisconsin-based fast food restaurant is requesting approval to build a drive-through location near the DuPage Expo Center, city officials said.
"I have some cautious optimism that East Main Street will continue to come back over the next several months," Aiston said.
Virginia-based Dollar Tree – which sells household cleaning supplies, paper products, snacks, beauty items and other products for $1 or less – plans to open its first St. Charles location July 25, spokeswoman Chelle Davis said.
"We're very excited to be joining the community," she said. "We continue to grow, and we want to be where middle America is shopping."
DG Hardware recently relocated within Foxfield Commons to the former Walgreens space because it offered a better layout, store manager Christi Hartigan said. Goodwill is working to occupy DG's former location, she said, noting she is happy the shopping center is getting new retailers.
"It brings more foot traffic," Hartigan said. "It's good for the community, and it's good for the merchants."
Aiston has the same attitude about Halloween City, which has signed a three-month lease ending in mid-November with Sperry Van Ness / Landmark for the former Borders store. Though temporary, he said, the retailer's occupancy should increase visibility to the Main Street Commons, an outlet obscured by an old farmstead.
Discussions with a permanent tenant are happening, but managing broker Neil Johnson said details likely won't be announced until next year.
The city's Plan Commission this week considered Culver's request to build a drive-through restaurant in the northwest corner of Main Street and Pheasant Run Drive. Drive-throughs are considered a special use in St. Charles, so Culver's must receive approval for that before obtaining a building permit, planner Matthew O'Rourke said.
The commission is expected to make a recommendation July 19, he said, and aldermen probably will discuss the matter in committee in August. Culver's hopes to open this year, he said.
Eastern St. Charles isn't getting all the new businesses.
Bob Garon of St. Charles, for example, has opened Synergy Kettlebell Training at 761 N. 17th St. The group workouts last about 30-45 minutes and focus on resistance and cardiovascular training by using equipment such as kettlebells and ropes, he said.
"We are the alternative to the treadmill, the elliptical and the bike that goes nowhere," Garon said, noting the classes usually revolved around themes.
People of all fitness levels are welcomed, he said. Free trial classes and trial memberships are offered.
Farther west, 3rd Ward Alderman Bill Turner operates St. Charles Florist at 2701 W. Main St., the former home of Fifth Avenue Flowers. Office manager Marissa Walker said Turner, a delivery driver for Fifth Avenue Flowers, was sad that it closed in January and approached her a few months later proposing to reopen it under a new name.
The employees were invited to work for St. Charles Florist, she said.
"It was really nice," Walker said. "It was a big relief to go somewhere familiar."
New Businesses
• Auction Block 10, 1500 Foundry St. No. 12, auction house
• NBP Graphics Inc., 1500 Foundry St. No. 11, decal installation and removal
• Energy Marketing Services, 504 E. Main St., door-to-door marketing
• Genova Group LLC, 214 W. Main St., upper floor, medical equipment sales
• Dr. Suds, 1639 E. Main St., car wash
• Fox Valley GMC-Buick, 1421 E. Main St., auto dealership
• Kumon Math & Reading Center, 582 N. Kirk Road, children's tutoring
• Sears Optical, 3833 E. Main St., optician
• Best Construction Services, 1730 Wallace Ave., Suite A, construction contractor
• Circus Skatepark, 3489 Swenson Ave., indoor bike/skate park
• Euroquipe, 601 Sidwell Court, Unit T, high performance auto service
• Spiritwear Wholesale Inc., 1820 Wallace Ave. No. 119, embroidery/silk screen clothing
• Superior Basement Builders Ltd., 1830 Wallace Ave. No. 218, remodeling contractor
• Xtreme Motorcoach Services, 1820 Production Drive, Suite A, RV financing and wholesale
Businesses coming soon
• Beef Shack, 2115 W. Main St., fast food
• Dailey Method, 9 N. 2nd St., fitness center
• Scooby's, 818 E. Main St., fast food
• White Stag Tavern, 1307 E. Main St., restaurant
Source: The city of St. Charles