ALGONQUIN – A growing Midwestern furniture retailer will open at the Algonquin Commons shopping center in the spring, taking the spot of Gordmans once the discount retailer closes later this fall.
Art Van Furniture announced the move Monday, as the company headquartered in Warren, Michigan, plans to make the Algonquin store, 1500 S. Randall Road, its 10th Chicago-area location.
Once Gordmans closes, the number one furniture and mattress retailer in the Midwest will begin renovating the 48,000-square-foot space for a projected grand opening in May 2016, Kim Yost, CEO of Art Van Furniture, said in a statement.
"We have been eager for guests in Chicago's northwest suburbs to experience Art Van Furniture's spectacular selection of affordable home furnishings, as well as our unique brand of exceptional customer service," Yost said. "We look forward to working hand in hand with families at our new store in the Algonquin Commons lifestyle center to enhance their homes and their lives."
Founded in 1959, Art Van Furniture operates 94 stores throughout Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio. The company operates Chicago-area stores in Batavia, Bedford Park, Chicago's Logan Square neighborhood, Downers Grove, Orland Park and Woodridge. Its first franchise location in Illinois should open in Rockford next month.
Once renovations are complete, the new Algonquin store will employ 40 full- and part-time workers, the company said.
Last year, Art Van Furniture weighed a move into the former Dominick's in nearby Lake in the Hills, but the furniture retailer ultimately withdrew on concerns detailed in a letter to village officials about the then proposed continuous flow intersection near Randall and Algonquin roads.
The controversial traffic improvements, which drew opposition from other area businesses, have since been rejected in favor of more traditional improvements. Initial construction on the revised project could start in 2017, McHenry County transportation officials recently said.
Discount retailer Gordmans has operated at the Randall Road location in Algonquin since 2011. The store, offering discount prices on apparel and home decor, is having a final closeout sale as it prepares to close later this fall.
The department store chain didn't explain the reasons for closing the Algonquin store. Contrary to media reports, Gordmans plans to remain in the Chicago-area market and continue operating stores in Naperville and Vernon Hills, company spokeswoman Joan Lukas said.
Village officials are happy to see a new retailer occupy the location so quickly after Gordmans planned to close, said Russell Farnum, Algonquin community development director.
"While the village is sorry to see Gordmans go, we certainly welcome Art Van with open arms," Farnum said. "This is a good example of the Commons taking a lot of positions to restructure their spaces into exciting new tenants for our community."