GENEVA – After 10 years of being one of the original stores at the Geneva Commons mall, home decor and specialty gift retailer Kirkland’s is closing.
A spokesman for the mall said the store’s lease is up in January. A company spokesman confirmed the closing, but said the store should remain open for business through the holidays.
According to its website, the company expects to open 17 new stores and close at least two stores in the 14-week period ending Feb. 2.
The website lists seven stores in Illinois – but does not include the Geneva location. Its newest store opened in October in Joliet.
“For fiscal 2012, this represents 42 new store openings and 28 closings,” states the website.
According to the site, Kirkland’s is based in Nashville, Tenn., and operates 299 stores in 30 states.
Geneva Mayor Kevin Burns said he was sorry to hear the news.
“We are always sad to learn of a business closing, but we remain confident that there will be an appropriate replacement to reflect the eclectic mix the Commons has always offered,” Burns said.
Despite the closing, Burns said sales are strong at the Commons.
“I could not comment on the business reasons for why or why not stores come and go,” Burns said. “I respect their business decision.”
Geneva Commons opened in 2002. With nearly 440,000 square feet, it features more than 80 retailers and restaurants, according to the city’s community profile.