An urban-style Target or a Crate & Barrel are two of the most desired replacements once Borders leaves the corner of Harlem and Lake, according to a recent survey conducted by the Village of Oak Park.
More than 500 people responded to the online questionnaire, which was posted on the village’s website and emailed to residents. Borders is in the process of selling off its inventory, and is expected to shut down by the end of September.
Most desired, according to a village press release, is a “general merchandise” store to take over Borders’ space, suggested by about 23 percent of respondents. That was followed by a department store (19.4 percent) and an electronics retailer (15 percent).
As far as specific brands, the most-mentioned retailer was Crate & Barrel, with about 82 percent of respondents suggesting the home-furnishing chain. Other favorites included Target (78 percent), Macy’s (76.4 percent) and Apple (72.1 percent).
Village hall emphasized that it has no control over what tenant fills the space, but officials hope the survey might influence the building’s management, according to a village press release.
Roll out the Crate & Barrel
I am highly in favor of having Crate & Barrel be the replacement business for Borders. These three communities could really benefit from having C&B here. It is very long overdue. Why shop out at Oak Brook when we can benefit our own community with our very own Crate & Barrel? Ever since Kettlestrings left years ago, many, many people have been suggesting we have a Crate & Barrel in Oak Park or River Forest.
Talk to Gordon Siegel, who is originally a Chicagoan and also the founder and CEO of Crate & Barrel stores. The space is perfect for that type of store.
Marion Strode
River Forest resident, Oak Park shopper
Filling the space at Harlem and Lake
Just a wish list (for the current Borders space):
Barnes and Noble
An urban Target
National Louis University
Performing Arts Center (for profit)
The Container Store
Apple
Dell
Microsoft
Disney Store
Saks Fifth Ave style store
No Macy’s
And please, no wind and solar energy companies!
Bob Milstein
Oak Park
Robert Milstein, a former Oak Park village trustee, is associate professor in the School of General Education at Northwestern College in Chicago.
Editor’s note: Here is a sample of the commentary online in reaction to our call for suggestions last week:
Let’s go with something that will draw people INTO Oak Park: Hooters! Tilted Kilt! Now we are talkin’!
Posted: Wednesday, Aug. 3, 3:46 p.m.
Shake your moneymaker
That’s why Borders is closing their store. People in there don’t buy books. I can’t tell you how many times I wanted to buy a book they had but it was trashed. Barbara’s Bookstore once told me a book didn’t exist. So … I went home and bought it on Amazon. Go figure.
Posted: Wednesday, Aug. 3, 6:42 p.m.
Who buys books in a store?
Borders disdained all books that were older than three years. It was the book world’s version of a fast food restaurant.
Posted: Wednesday, Aug. 3, 7:02 p.m.
John Murtagh from Oak Park
Please, no more retail. I think this site could be an ideal venue for a kick-a** museum. Why couldn’t the Art Institute do something like what the Tate does in England? www.tate.org.uk. The building is old and big, and has lotsa space.
Posted: Wednesday, Aug. 3, 7:38 p.m.
Dave Coulter
Wednesday Journal blogger
Dave, THAT is the best idea ever. Even if our children’s museum moved and got funding for an expansion, a REALLY FABULOUS EXPANSION. I love the museum idea. Activity center, etc.
Posted: Wednesday, Aug. 3, 8:44 p.m.
@localop_sarah
Parking @ Lake and Harlem = FAIL
Posted: Wednesday, Aug. 3, 9:05 p.m.
Parking R Us
Bad time to consider museums or performing arts for the Borders site. See Opera Hall and Hemingway Home Museum.
Posted: Wednesday, Aug. 3, 10:38 p.m.
John Murtagh from Oak Park
Target. Useful, repeated and guaranteed customers who are thankful not to schlepp all the way to Brickyard for basic household items.
Posted: Thursday, Aug. 4, 7:30 a.m.
Fed Up from Oak Park
Target has shopping carts. Usually people fill them up with merchandise and pay for it and bring the stuff all the way out to the vehicles. Do you see the problem? Tear Down that (building) Mr/Mrs. VOP.
Posted: Thursday, Aug. 4, 9:50 a.m.
Parking R Us
I think an upscale gentleman’s club, with a reading room and cigar bar, would be a perfect use for the space.
Posted: Thursday, Aug. 4, 10:47 a.m.
Luke ScottWalker from Oak Park
I don’t know if Target would work there. They would have to build some type of bridge to the existing parking garage, and I’m not sure that parking garage could deal with all the congestion a Target would bring. I think Barnes & Noble would be best, fits with the Oak Park culture, and I think they would be there permanently with their main brick & mortar competition out of the picture.
Posted: Thursday, Aug. 4, 2:41 p.m.
Ryan from Oak Park
We also have Magic Tree Bookstore, in Oak Park for 27 years! And Val’s halla on Harrison, also an Oak Park icon for music!
Posted: Thursday, Aug. 4, 7:49 p.m.
Maggy