Last store closes doors at Huntley Outlet Center

HUNTLEY – All stores have closed at the Huntley Outlet Center about a year after the mall changed ownership.

Banana Republic Factory Store – the last retailer to shutter its doors – had its final day of business Saturday, according to a sign posted on its door. Storefront windows were empty Monday, and most clothes were cleared from the racks.

The village is continuing to work on a redevelopment agreement for the property with the owners, Village Manager Dave Johnson said.

The village also is looking for compliance with more than 190 ordinance violations on the property, including damaged sidewalks and parking lots, rusted light poles and crumbled bricks, Village Attorney John Cowlin has said.

Indianapolis-based Simon Property Group sold the mall in April 2016 when it was less than half full. Huntley Investment Partners LLC, a group made up of California-based Craig Realty Group, Chicago's Prime Group Inc. and Elgin's Capital Realty and Development, bought the property.

Owners have said they would like to submit for a zoning change to change the property to Office/Research Industrial District, and at least part of the property will be demolished.

From the village’s perspective, its important for the property to have mixed uses and be a job creator, Johnson has said.

The center, which sits at Route 47 and Interstate 90, opened in August 1994.