Whole Foods in Wheaton to move to Danada Square East

WHEATON – Those driving past the Danada Square East shopping center on a regular basis probably have noticed the activity taking place at the former Dominick's store in the shopping center.

A project to move Whole Foods Market from its current 39,000-square-foot store in the Rice Lake Square shopping center to a new 55,000-square-foot space in the nearby Danada Square East shopping center continues to move forward. The Whole Foods store is just one of several new businesses set to open in or near the shopping center.

The new Whole Foods store is on track to open in January 2017, said Jim Kozik, the city's director of planning and economic development. The store at 151 Rice Lake Square has been seeking to move into a larger space.

"They've remodeled the store several times, but they just couldn't offer the things they offer in their newer, larger stores," Kozik said. "They simply needed more space."

The store is smaller than new Whole Foods stores that are being built today, he said. The Whole Foods grocery chain is known for its organic products.

"At the time the store was developed, they were doing business differently than they do today," Kozik said.

The new store will offer such things as a juice and coffee bar, a beer and wine bar, and more prepared food offerings, he said.

What will fill the space after Whole Foods moves into its new location is still unknown. A Sports Authority store next to the Whole Foods store also is set to close soon as a result of the chain's decision to close all its stores.

"There is an opportunity for the owner of that center to perhaps combine those spaces and have a larger offering for somebody," Kozik said.

The rest of the former Dominick's store will be occupied by a Sierra Trading Post, which sells clothing, outdoor gear, sporting goods and other items. The chain is owned by TJX Companies, which also owns such stores as T.J. Maxx, Marshalls and HomeGoods.

The store will be the first one in the Midwest, Kozik said.

"The demographics of Wheaton certainly support a store like that," he said.

The Danada Square East shopping center will see other new businesses in the coming months. Charter Fitness is set to open in the former MC Sports store at 71 Danada Square East.

"They plan to be open in late fall," Kozik said.

In addition, a Starbucks plans to open in late summer or early fall in the newly closed KFC at 171 Danada Square East, he said. A former IHOP restaurant at 167 Danada Square East will be demolished to make way for a new fast casual restaurant, he said.

Next to Danada Square East, a CVS store is under construction at Naperville and Loop roads. The store plans to open by the end of August, Kozik said.

Wheaton City Manager Michael Dzugan said the entire city has been seeing new economic activity.

"Our permitting is significantly higher than in the past," he said. "There are a lot of people doing a lot of stuff, which is really good to see."