July 10, 2025
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Sauk Valley

Sterling native his expands Napa holdings to Princeton

By GOLDIE CURRIE

Breck Loos

PRINCETON — A Sterling businessman is adding one more link to the chain of Napa Auto Stores he owns in Illinois and Iowa.

Once the sale of the building is final, Breck Loos, 54, plans to expand his holdings by turning an old Walmart in the north end of this Bureau County town into a Napa Auto Parts retail store, and a warehouse and distribution center for seven other Napa stores he owns.

Loos, also a property developer, is courting another, unnamed retail store to lease a third spot.

If all goes as planned, it could mean around 30 new jobs.

The 64,000-square-foot building has been empty since 2004, except for a Tractor Supply Co. that occupies 22,500 square feet. The new retailer will lease 9,000 square feet, and his Napa operations will take up the rest of the space – or less, if he decides to seek a fourth tenant, Loos said in an email Wednesday.

Not only will the project provide a new foundation for future store growth, but it also "should be a very nice retail addition for the city of Princeton," he wrote.

Loos also plans to put a new facade on the entire building.

Over the objections of some neighbors, the City Council voted Monday to issue a special-use permit that would allow the development.

The warehousing business is expected to provide 10 to 12 full-time jobs, the Napa retail businesses 10 to 12 part-time jobs, and the unnamed business three to four full-time and three to four part-time positions, Mayor Joel Quiram said.

Bob Rupcich, speaking on behalf of his Bailey Court Subdivision neighbors, said the nearby residents are worried about a potential drop in property values, the alteration of the neighborhood's character, noise from diesel trucks, forklifts and an outside compactor, intrusive lighting and security surveillance, litter and more.

To address their concerns, the permit requires Loos to erect a 14-foot privacy fence around the west and south sides of the surrounding lot.

The 1981 Sterling High graduate also owns Napa stores at 218 W. Third St. in Sterling, 713 N. Galena Ave. in Dixon, 1341 N. Seventh St. in Rochelle, and in Ottawa, LaSalle-Peru, Geneseo, and Galesburg.

– Sauk Valley Media news editor Kathleen A. Schultz contributed to this story.

#Business