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Serpent Safari in Gurnee Mills closed its location April 17, according to Joan Singer, general manager. The reptile zoo is negotiating with mall officials about relocating to another place in the mall.
"This whole wing is being redesigned for high-end fashion because Macy's is coming," Singer said. Rainforest Cafe will remain in its current location, according to Singer. She said it will cost about $900,000 to relocate in Gurnee Mills. Relocation would entail building new homes for all the animals.
"[Gurnee Mills] wants to keep us. They don't want us to leave," Singer said. She said Serpent Safari received a notice two weeks ago from Gurnee Mills that it had to vacate its location by April 17. Serpent Safari has been in the mall for 15 years.
Randy Ebertowski, general manager at Gurnee Mills, said, "We value the many years that Serpent Safari has been at Gurnee Mills, which is why we have been working for months to seek a solution for them to stay."
Ebertowski added that the mall is completing significant renovations that will include adding new stores and dining options.
At this point, Singer is not sure how long the shop will be closed or if employees will be able to keep their jobs.
The zoo's animals, including rare albino snakes and a Nile crocodile, will be housed at temporary locations such as Serpent Safari in Wisconsin Dells, Singer said.
Cari Roberson, employee of five years, said "I was shocked when I found out we're closing. People come from all over the country just to see us. I'm a full-time student, and if it wasn't for the flexibility of this place, I wouldn't be able to put myself through school."
Roberson said she may have to take time off school if she loses her job.
Singer said Serpent Safari may be able to open a temporary store where they can sell pets and host parties while a new zoo location is being constructed in Gurnee Mills, which would allow employees to keep their jobs.
"If we can come to an agreement [with mall officials], we may be able to move to a temporary location in just days," Singer said.
Roberson said customers are upset, sad or mad. "They think our location near Rainforest Cafe is perfect. A lot of people are coming in to say goodbye," she said.
Singer said she has received an outpouring of emails and Facebook posts in response to the closing.
She shared this email, from long-time customer Staci Gue: "We have come to Gurnee Mills Mall at least once a year for as many years as I can remember and always visit the Serpent Safari. It is part of our family tradition . . . My four-year old [...] is just starting to learn about the reptiles and truly enjoys being Safari Abby when we come visit. We are going to have a very sad little girl the next time we head up that direction and she finds out that she can not be Safari Abby."